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aamusedinatxYou may not have noticed, but America is not the only country in which the right of a woman to make her own choices when it comes to pregnancy termination is at issue. Even I forget this sometimes. I get so hyper focused on issues of rights within our own borders I forget that other countries, especially countries where the Catholic church has a great deal of social and political influence also have these issues.
As the proud owner of a uterus, and as woman who has given birth to a son and who has also made the choice to have an abortion, I feel qualified to have an opinion on this topic. I have also acted as the 18 years or older 'relative' or guardian of under 18 friends at Planned parenthood signing the consent forms so they could terminate an ill timed pregnancy--one of them was because of rape.
I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I weigh in on the side of PRO-CHOICE. However, being pro-choice is not without its dilemmas. Being pro-choice and being faced with the choice and decision are two very different things. And as my history shows, I have weighed that decision and made varying choices depending upon my current circumstance. I will say this. As difficult as the choices were, I am positive that my choice in the circumstances were the correct ones. As a woman and as a thinking, feeling, rational human being, I believe that with every fiber of my being.
I'm sure the same is true for women who are on the PRO-LIFE side of the fence. Their moral and religious convictions will comfort them only so far when it comes time for them to face the choice and the decision to continue an unplanned pregnancy or to terminate it. As human beings who are capable of feeling, of thinking and of rational, the soul searching, the uncertainties, the feelings and fears, they must be the same.
We're really not all that different on the inside.
Sunday's article in the Daily Kos shows us just HOW similar and how very different women are when confronted with exercising a choice and an option that they oppose in general. I found the stories difficult to read--not because of the (to me) OBVIOUS contradictions between public demonstration and private choice, but because as I woman I recognize and remember all too well the emotional time and place where a woman makes this decision.
Here is one which spoke to me a great deal.
I will leave the others in the link for you to read as you wish because I know this is a topic which is fraught with emotional difficulty for many people women and men.
I, personally, don't understand the political/moral resolve of these people after this life-changing emotional event. I do understand firm convictions, I have my own. I know personal convictions can be contradictory. Do they return to their very vocal and very public protests against abortion because it is expected of them? Because the inclusion in a group of strong believers requires it of them, because in the silence of their hearts they believe if they had Not had the option they would not have made the choice they did and so want that temptation removed for all? I don't know. I may never know. The answer will be as individual as the person that makes it and those whom I have asked, personally, refuse to answer that question--for whatever reason. I'm not one to invite attack and argument so I do not press.
But I do wonder, how their personal end so justifies a means they hold to be abominable.
I wonder.
As the proud owner of a uterus, and as woman who has given birth to a son and who has also made the choice to have an abortion, I feel qualified to have an opinion on this topic. I have also acted as the 18 years or older 'relative' or guardian of under 18 friends at Planned parenthood signing the consent forms so they could terminate an ill timed pregnancy--one of them was because of rape.
I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I weigh in on the side of PRO-CHOICE. However, being pro-choice is not without its dilemmas. Being pro-choice and being faced with the choice and decision are two very different things. And as my history shows, I have weighed that decision and made varying choices depending upon my current circumstance. I will say this. As difficult as the choices were, I am positive that my choice in the circumstances were the correct ones. As a woman and as a thinking, feeling, rational human being, I believe that with every fiber of my being.
I'm sure the same is true for women who are on the PRO-LIFE side of the fence. Their moral and religious convictions will comfort them only so far when it comes time for them to face the choice and the decision to continue an unplanned pregnancy or to terminate it. As human beings who are capable of feeling, of thinking and of rational, the soul searching, the uncertainties, the feelings and fears, they must be the same.
We're really not all that different on the inside.
Sunday's article in the Daily Kos shows us just HOW similar and how very different women are when confronted with exercising a choice and an option that they oppose in general. I found the stories difficult to read--not because of the (to me) OBVIOUS contradictions between public demonstration and private choice, but because as I woman I recognize and remember all too well the emotional time and place where a woman makes this decision.
Here is one which spoke to me a great deal.
"I had a 37 year old woman just yesterday who was 13 weeks. She said she and her husband had been discussing this pregnancy for 2-3 months. She was strongly opposed to abortion, 'but my husband is forcing me to do it.' Naturally, I told her that no one could force her into an abortion, and that she had to choose whether the pregnancy or her husband were more important. I told her I only wanted what was best for her, and I would not do the abortion unless she agreed that it was in her best interest. Once she was faced with actually having to voice her own choice, she said 'Well, I made the appointment and I came here, so go ahead and do it. It's what's best.' At last I think she came to grips with the fact that it really was her decision after all." (Physician, Nevada)
I will leave the others in the link for you to read as you wish because I know this is a topic which is fraught with emotional difficulty for many people women and men.
I, personally, don't understand the political/moral resolve of these people after this life-changing emotional event. I do understand firm convictions, I have my own. I know personal convictions can be contradictory. Do they return to their very vocal and very public protests against abortion because it is expected of them? Because the inclusion in a group of strong believers requires it of them, because in the silence of their hearts they believe if they had Not had the option they would not have made the choice they did and so want that temptation removed for all? I don't know. I may never know. The answer will be as individual as the person that makes it and those whom I have asked, personally, refuse to answer that question--for whatever reason. I'm not one to invite attack and argument so I do not press.
But I do wonder, how their personal end so justifies a means they hold to be abominable.
I wonder.
