I believe that pro-choice means caring about the quality of life that child will live. Some children are born into homes that are abusive. Some are not provided the care and nurturing that they deserve because their parents are unequipped or unprepared to raise their children in a healthy and loving environment. Many of these children are the result of unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Far too many of these women and teens for some reason or another did not have the full range of options available to them. To me, pro-choice means that every child should be raised in a loving and nurturing home.
There is an old Native American saying, “Walk a mile in another man’s moccasins before you criticize him.” We cannot possibly know the circumstances or situation that has placed a woman or teen into the position where she must make this complicated choice. Unfortunately, not every pregnancy is the product of a loving situation. Some are the result of rape or incest that leaves lasting scars on the mothers and a stigma on the child. Not having lived their lives, we are in no position to pass judgment on the decision they have made. The health, safety and quality of life our children need are all factors that make me feel strongly that all women should have the right to choose what is best for their particular situation.
This is a very difficult and intimate decision that should not be made lightly. A woman or teen's right to choose allows her to explore all options that are available and allows her to make the best decision for her. What is right for one woman is not necessarily right for another woman; situations vary from health issues that would endanger the mother, child or both, to emotional issues that would make having the baby or giving it away difficult. The choice a woman or teen makes—whether that is carrying the baby to full term, giving it up for adoption, or deciding to terminate the pregnancy—will permanently change the course of the lives involved, so it is imperative that women are given the opportunity to be well-informed of all options. That is also why it is essential that we offer early and comprehensive sex education to our young people; ensuring they have the information they need before getting into a situation where abortion is a consideration.
I am not too young to remember the dangers that women faced when abortion was not legal. All too often, unskilled and untrained individuals performed these back-alley abortions at great risk to the health of the mother. Many women and teens were tragically left unable to bear any more children, or worse, many died. I remember when I was a young girl there was an abandoned gas station near my house that was raided by the police for offering illegal abortions. I cannot begin to imagine the lack of skill of someone willing to perform surgery in a gas station, let alone the unsanitary conditions.
By looking at the larger picture—the future of the child—it is clear to me why it is important to be pro-choice. It is clear to me that everyone must be educated about human reproduction, and our goal should be that all children are the result of planned and intended pregnancies. Our children’s future depends on it.
