No other issue in American political and social life carries as much controversy as abortion. Even Conservatives and libertarians are divided on the question of when life begins and what rights a woman has over her own body. On the surface, can use the libertarian argument to support the option of "choice-" that no woman should be "forced" to go through a pregnancy, that government should not interfere. Yet in using that argument, does this not open a Pandora's box- that life should only be protected when that life is expedient or convenient to others? Does the "choice" argument seek to absolve individuals from consequences of actions or to liberate women from being "barefoot, pregnant and behind the stove?" Both "absolutions" create more problems than they solve.Death Culture-
Why Roe v. Wade Must Be Overturned
by Elysian HunterThose who defend the right to life often face violent opposition from those who would have the American people believe that killing a child during pre-natal development is no more morally offensive than having an impacted wisdom tooth removed. But the pro-choice crowd is emphasizing the "convenience" factor and rationalizing the morality of abortion while deemphasizing the casualties. The casualties of abortion go far beyond the innocents who are sucked up into vacuum tubes. Women who have abortions are far more likely to die in the twelve months following an abortion (including death from complications of surgery, suicide and "natural causes") than women who give birth. See afterabortion.org/PAR/V8/n2/finland.html for more information on the studies and statistics of abortion and maternal death.
Death is not the only end result of abortion. Abortion clinics are not going to inform their clients of the psychological damage that ensues once a woman comes to terms with what she has done. Pro-choice advocates will insist that abortion is a safe, painless procedure, designed to "liberate" a woman from contraceptive failure (i.e. exonerate her from faulty choices.) Pro-choice advocates will also insist that abortion keeps children from being born into poverty, ( see afterabortion.org/poverty.html for scientific evidence that refutes that claim) from "unwanted children" being born whose only use would be for "clogging up the System." What abortion does succeed in is demoralizing women and cheapening life.
Every action and decision has a consequence. In touting the wonders of "free love" or "sexual liberation" we forget about the possible consequences of sexual behavior- the possibility that conception may result or the possibility that one may contract a venereal disease. Yet the consequences reach far further than those aforementioned- when men and women fail to form committed relationships and look only to their libidos for guidance, society, especially children, suffers. This is not to say that we as a society should try to regulate sexuality, but we are obligated to protect life at all ages and stages. Abortion is not a quick fix, rather it is a symptom of a larger disease. Women have been wrongly conditioned through the so-called feminist movement that involvement in traditional marriage and family is anathema to being a "liberated woman." Liberated from what- the culture of death is hardly liberating! Is a traditional marriage not more "liberating" than a lifetime of meaningless sexual liaisons, poverty, and abortions for "convenience sake" when contraception fails?
Fathers of aborted children have no legal voice at all- if a woman chooses to abort a child the father need not give his consent. He may not even have knowledge of the pregnancy. Granted, many women are pressured into abortion by their partners (when they should be claiming accountability and supporting the woman during her pregnancy) which is equally abhorrent. If the feminist aim is to divest a man of his right to have a say in the upbringing and welfare of his children, this is the ultimate example of the theory of the "vestigial male," that a man may contribute to the conception of a child but has no authority or rights as to whether or not that child may be born.
Legislation is not a cure-all. Many illegal activities thrive- such as drug use- because the public finds a need for these activities. Overturning Roe v. Wade would not eliminate all abortions, and in and of itself legislation is meaningless unless the hearts and minds of the people can be won. Instead of counseling teen girls that abortion is an "easy way out," perhaps a consideration should be given to telling them the truth- not only regarding the devastating and lasting effects of abortion, but also that the world won't end and your parents won't kill you if you choose to have your baby. Perhaps more emphasis can and should be given to adoption, a process that in today's world is fraught with red tape, Big-Brother like intrusion, difficulty and heartbreak. There are loving homes for children whose parents cannot provide them. Most importantly adoptive families can provide the opportunity for many "unwanted" children to live meaningful, productive and joyful lives- a far more compassionate and loving choice than premeditated death.
We have the power to counter the culture of death. It is easy to think of the wholesale murder of children in the context of "reproductive rights" - until it is your best friend, or sister or daughter. When a woman who is close to you falls for the lie and "chooses death" it becomes personal. When your shoulder is drenched with inconsolable tears of regret for a deed that is not at all convenient but is really a manifestation of pure evil you will know evil and deception in the most tangible and heartwrenching manner. When you look in your friend or loved one's eyes and see nothing but torture and pain, that for whatever rationalization, she inflicted upon herself, a pain and profound regret that in spite of your best efforts you cannot assuage, the killing hits home. Rather than pouring buckets of derision upon women who have made the deadly mistake of abortion for convenience, is this not only an indictment of society, of our laxity in protecting life, of assuring that women learn the truth? For the feminist lie has been so seductive and effective that so many have had to learn the truth the hard way, such as Norma Mc Corvey, (formerly Roe) upon whom the Roe v. Wade decision was based. You may learn more about Norma Mc Corvey and other women who have been harmed by the lie of abortion at www.reverseroe.com