Abortions, behind the scenes.
There is a very moving piece in the NYTimes from Sunday.
More than 25 million Americans have had abortions since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton in 1973. Often kept secret, even from close friends or family members, the experience cuts across all income levels, religions, races, lifestyles, political parties and marital circumstances. Though abortion rates have been falling since 1990, to their lowest level since the mid-1970's, abortion remains one of the most common surgical procedures for women in America. More than one in five pregnancies end in abortion.
Wow. One in five. I didn't know that.
I don't understand how people can spew vitriol at women who are getting abortions. Of course there will always be irresponsible women who use it as birth control, but reading an article like this, do you really think that the stereotype of the "loose" woman who doesn't give a shit about anything is the norm? Young and scared, old and scared, guilt is everywhere. Guilt and wondering if it was right and so much shame goes around. I don't understand how putting more stigma on it and making it more difficult will do anything but force it back underground.
I wish abortion wasn't necessary -- I wish no woman ever felt she had to get one. I wish that birth control was all 100% effetive. I wish that our society was more supportive of single moms and pregnant kids didn't have a stigma from their friends. But these things are all problems. Abortion doesn't change reality, but it gives women other options. And we need those options.
More than 25 million Americans have had abortions since the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton in 1973. Often kept secret, even from close friends or family members, the experience cuts across all income levels, religions, races, lifestyles, political parties and marital circumstances. Though abortion rates have been falling since 1990, to their lowest level since the mid-1970's, abortion remains one of the most common surgical procedures for women in America. More than one in five pregnancies end in abortion.
Wow. One in five. I didn't know that.
I don't understand how people can spew vitriol at women who are getting abortions. Of course there will always be irresponsible women who use it as birth control, but reading an article like this, do you really think that the stereotype of the "loose" woman who doesn't give a shit about anything is the norm? Young and scared, old and scared, guilt is everywhere. Guilt and wondering if it was right and so much shame goes around. I don't understand how putting more stigma on it and making it more difficult will do anything but force it back underground.
I wish abortion wasn't necessary -- I wish no woman ever felt she had to get one. I wish that birth control was all 100% effetive. I wish that our society was more supportive of single moms and pregnant kids didn't have a stigma from their friends. But these things are all problems. Abortion doesn't change reality, but it gives women other options. And we need those options.
<< Home