Questions about the morality of terminating a pregnancy have been asked for as long as women have been able to get pregnant. In the past, abortion was a secretive procedure only to be discussed in whispers. Now, it is more acceptable to talk about abortion and its implications openly, and so I plan to do just that.
I want to preface this by saying that this is my opinion based on my own experiences and beliefs, and I don’t fault anyone for following their own personal moral code. However, I do ask that you have an open mind and respect my position, as well.
Now let me start this off with the most important aspect of the pro-choice movement:
Pro-choice does not equal pro-abortion!
To put this into perspective, I can tell you that I (at present) do not think that I would be OK with getting an abortion if I were to become pregnant accidentally. However, just because I would not get an abortion doesn’t mean that I have the right to make that choice for others. It also doesn’t mean I have the right to disrespect women who decide that abortion is the right choice for themselves. It simply means that women should have the option to CHOOSE what to do if they become pregnant.
As women ourselves, we know what it’s like to have other people make choices for us. Especially now in a Trump administration, we watch men make decisions about what is best for us and our bodies every day. Just last week, Donald Trump banned the U.S. from sending aid to any non-government group that provides abortion counseling or openly advocates for women’s right to choose. Many of these groups provide much more than just these services, similar to Planned Parenthood in the United States.
If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t get one. But if you believe that women deserve the rights to their own bodies and their own choices, then abortion should be no exception. The majority of abortions are performed prior to 12 weeks after conception. That fetus at 12 weeks is still just an extension of its mother and is not its own human being. So how is it that a bundle of cells that cannot live independently has more rights than a grown human woman?
The argument about the rights of a fetus can go on forever. But what you personally believe should not impact other people’s lives and choices. We women need to stick together to keep our rights and fighting only divides us. So let’s stand up for the rights of all women to have the power to choose what happens to their bodies!
Note: This article reflects the views of the author and in no way reflects on the views of Her Campus.
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