TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of sexual assault and abortion.
DISCLAIMER: This article is focused on current news, based on perspective of the author.
“Waffles or Pancakes?
“Movies or TV Shows?”
“Pro Life or Pro Choice?”
Notice how one of those questions doesn’t quite fit? That’s because Pro Life and Pro Choice should not be phrased as a food or entertainment preference. When we are discussing the topic of Pro Life and Pro Choice, we are talking about female autonomy and women’s right to their own bodies and health. It is not a preference at all.
What does this mean?
When I was younger, not knowing exactly how the female body functioned and the process of pregnancy, I was asked frequently whether or I was Pro Life or Pro Choice. I mean “Pro Life” sounded like the correct answer, because life is good and choices are complicated. But it’s so much deeper than that.
Obviously, the main aspect of Pro Life and Pro Choice is about abortions. Abortion isn’t an easy conversation to have, just as it isn’t an easy process to go through.
The difference
Pro Life being not agreeing with any abortions at all.
Pro Choice meaning that they are okay with having access to abortions.
The harm that this “preference” is doing, is creating the divide between women having a choice with their body or having not a choice at all. Not every woman who becomes pregnant wants to get an abortion. But women who become unexpectedly pregnant might want to consider one.
The breakdown
Unexpected pregnancy sometimes stems from harmful situations, such as sexual assault, abusive relationships, etc. To continue with the pregnancy may also mean staying within that abusive relationship. It may also mean a health hazard for some women and their bodies.
To have a planned pregnancy is a privilege. In most cases, the woman consented. The woman is in a financially stable place in her life. And the woman has support.
There are many cases in which the woman does not feel like she has a choice, and has no option but to seek an abortion. To be Pro Choice does not always mean you would get an abortion, it means that you support other women to have the choice to make whether or not they would want to continue with pregnancy.
We do not know what a woman is going through physically and mentally. Therefore, it should not be other people’s decision whether or not the woman should have a baby. There are also trans people who can still get pregnant and want the opportunity to decide what they want to do with their bodies.
What do we do?
A good start by ending this divide and getting rid of the “Pro Choice or Pro Life” options. This just leads society into demonizing women for wanting to have a choice. I personally know many mothers who agree to having safe access to abortions for other women, but felt that they were in a place in their life where they could be mothers.
Having access to abortions is having access to women’s health. This should be our priority.