I believe abortion is a personal decision that should be available to a mother up to a certain point in time in her pregnancy. Looking at some history, abortion was practiced in the United States, mostly by midwives, prior to the Civil War. Abortion was an acceptable and legal practice up until the time of “quickening” or when the mother can detect movement of the fetus. Midwives usually peformed the abortion and it was legal. This changed after the Civil War as one result of the war was an expanded profession of doctors, mostly male, and they took over much of the work performed by midwives in the past. So, the history of abortion is not what the Court tried to lead us to believe. I am always sensitive when some try to “bend” the history to suit their purposes. This is the case with Court’s decision to reverse Roe vs. Wade.
I think something that is missing in the discussion, or seeminly ignored is that birthing and parenting are codependent. A birth requires a loving and willing parent to provide for the healthy life of a child. If the willing parent piece is not there for whatever reason and the preganancy is in an early stage, say, prior to “quickening,” then I believe the mother should have this control over her body. If she does not want to parent a soon-to-be-born child, and this decision is made within the window of acceptablity, i.e., quickening, then the mother should have this right.
If I follow the anti abortion argument, it seems that contraception is also problematic for many opposed to abortion. In all of this, we are getting into the realm of privacy and personal choice. How can liberty in some areas be so valued but not in this case? There is also the question of imposing a personal faith on others. There is a lot involved in this discussion.
My wife and I are adoptive parents. Parenting was a huge choice for us and very important. It was not the result of a moment of intimacy. We both put all our hearts into trying to become parents and we were blessed with two children through adoption. For both of us, the parenting piece is on the other side of the equation with birth. I think both are codependent upon each other.
I think, and I may be wrong, but I believe poorer women are less apt to have access to reproductive helath services and care. This is where the Court’s decision will have the greatest impact. Those with means will find a way to regulate their lives as they always have.
It is a shame this decision of the Court was foisted, yes foisted, on America. It seems to be another part of a political agenda, and not one that advances democracy or will improve all our lives. Many will disagree with me and that is fine – I expect this.
A Vermonter Writes - A Pathfinder 