I have avoided this can of worms since it is so controversial. While I’m more than happy to rant about current events, political points of view, and general musings about the dumbass things people say and do, I have always felt this topic too taboo to really get into. However, given recent political statements, and the upcoming elections, I have no doubt this subject will be at the forefront of many political and social discussions. Not only that…I really think I’ve been kind of a wimp, not taking it on in the first place. So…hold onto your socks…here we go. Try to keep reading, my conclusion might surprise you. Then again…maybe not.
Jon Kyle (R Arizona) recently claimed on the floor of the U.S. Senate that 90% of what Planned Parenthood does is perform abortions. While that’s a nice propaganda statement, the truth is that the actual number is less than 3%. In point of fact, Planned Parenthood’s main goal is to promote a healthy baby, and mother, and educate the public on sexual health. I truly believe that if you are against abortion, you should join Planned Parenthood. Get involved. Do what you can to educate people on what they can do to protect themselves. Teach them about birth control. While abstinence is a nice idea, it is rarely practiced, and extremely impractical. Most teens who have made the “promise” are actively sexual. So wouldn’t it be more helpful to show them what they need to do to be safe, and not pregnant?
Recently another Republican Senator claimed that a D & C is also an abortion. In reality it is a medical procedure normally carried out after a miscarriage, or for some other diagnosis. While it is true that, in the 1970’s, D & Cs were used (in 23% of cases) as a means for abortion that is not entirely true today. Recent studies show that only 2.4% of abortions have resulted in a D & C. This procedure is usually the result of an error, or problems with the abortion procedure itself, or in some cases where an abortion was attempted by an unqualified practitioner (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilation_and_curettage).
The other fallacy that seems to be prevalent from abortion foes is that they have taped recordings from babies who are screaming during the procedures. Even if during the first trimester the fetus had the ability to feel, this would be a physical impossibility. Babies gestate in amniotic fluid the entire time they are in the womb. This fluid seeps into the vocal folds, making it impossible to make any sound. If you doubt this, then drink a glass of water and scream. It can’t be done. Amniotic fluid is a great deal thicker.
As most of you know, I enjoy irony. I find it interesting that most Right to Life advocates also believe in the death penalty. This basically means that while they want to save the life of an unborn fetus, they’re more than happy to make abortion retroactive, if that “life” doesn’t work out. I also don’t understand conservatives who are against abortion, but also against birth control, well baby care, food programs for needy children, sex education, or public education. I would think that if you want to end abortion, you should fund the other alternatives with a fervency that would show how much you value life over your pocketbook. Why on earth wouldn’t you want to make every effort to show an expectant parent that they will have support in every way if they keep the child?
I can’t imagine what a woman has to go through to make the decision to have an abortion. The idea that these decisions are made lightly is rediculous. Economically, it is definitely cheaper to use a condom. Given that the cost for an average abortion is around $500.00, I can’t imagine that people are having them because they don’t want to use other forms of birth control, as some opinions have expressed. Also, to deny abortion in instances of rape and incest is downright insane. If a father gets their child pregnant, I don’t think you should further punish his child by forcing her to carry a baby full-term. For younger children, the physical trauma can be fatal. Even if they survive, isn’t it too much to ask from a child who has suffered enough horror in her life to go through more? Is this really “God’s plan?”
Now, after reading all this, it might surprise you to know that I absolutely do not agree that abortion should be used as a means of birth control. I would love to see the practice end. However, I am pro-choice. So that means this is my belief, and not one I think I should impose on others. I’m still not sure when life starts. According to many religious doctrines, from what I understand, life begins when the child takes its first breath. I don’t know if that is true or not, but I do know that the early philosophers had no concept of modern medicine. Still, if you take a Fundamentalist view of any religion, you would have to agree with it literally. That means that life would begin after birth. However, I have found that Fundamentalists only agree with the fundamentals when it suits their own prejudices.
Still, I would love to never have a need for this service. I just think the best way would be to get involved and educate people on the other options available. Make no mistake, your political leaders won’t solve the problem. They don’t want a solution. They want the issue. The issue puts them in the newspapers. The issue keeps both sides on the front page. The issue garners your attention. They want you upset. They want you riled up. However, in the end, yelling obscenities at each other, lying about statistics, picketing clinics, and bombing facilities, does not help either argument. In fact, it does more to make you look ridiculous. Crazy is never helpful.