Deconstructing Abortion

(Parts of) Texas’ law on late term abortions make sense

Straddling the fence is an uncomfortable position for the deeply opinionated… like me. I applaud Roe vs Wade and hope it will never be overturned. In fact, I would like to see 410 U.S. 113 (1973) chiseled in stone and erected as a monument on the front lawn of every capital building in every state. That doesn’t mean I think abortion should be used indiscriminately as a means of birth control. Abortion is a necessary evil available as a last resort when health issues and circumstances beyond our control lead to unwanted pregnancies. The question then becomes “what is beyond our control?”

Rape is certainly beyond the control of the victim. Disease and life threatening conditions are beyond the control of the expectant mother. Pregnancy, in and of itself, is not beyond control – not by men or women. Methods of birth control abound and, generally, are available free in most areas of the country. Do we need more availability? Yes. Every checkout counter in every store in the nation should have a 50 gallon fish tank filled with free condoms. Birth control pills should be covered on every health insurance plan and carry a low (if any) co-pay. Plan B – the morning after pill – should be affordable to everyone. A $50.00 price tag puts the drug out of the reach of those who need it most. Sex education should be part of every school’s curriculum starting at the third grade level… not because it’s the school’s responsibility to teach safety but because parents are shirking their responsibility. Abortion, when needed, should be free and/or priced low enough that those without disposable income can afford the procedure.

Religion plays a big part in how people view abortion. Those deeply steeped in faith believe that every life deserves to be lived. The issue then becomes when does life begin? There are as many answers to that question as there are grains of sand on the shore, but one thing is absolutely fact… by the 20 week mark, a human being is alive and growing within the womb. Twenty weeks is the half way mark in a pregnancy. Five months have passed since conception took place. Five months is a long time to wait to make a decision about any major event in our lives. Abortion is a major decision so why are women waiting?

One reason is shame. Because many people still believe that sex outside of marriage (consensual or forced) is sinful, they deceive themselves about being pregnant rather than seeking help. Shame is a huge hurdle in getting women the help they need in a timely fashion, especially when incest is involved. It’s a reason, not an excuse. As an advocate for rape survivors, I am always preaching the need to remove the element of shame associated with the crime. We need to hail survivors as heroes. Those who are willing to pursue their attackers in a court of law should be awarded medals. If we did that, then women who are raped would call the police, go to the hospital, and medically remove the threat of pregnancy and disease. They would receive counseling and follow up examinations to guarantee that a pregnancy did not result from the assault. They would not need an abortion. Their bodies and their minds would be healthy and would heal without major scarring.

For unwanted pregnancies that result from consensual sex, the option to abort at a safe facility under the care of trained medical professionals is a necessity. The Texas law requires that doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. It also requires that abortions take place at certified surgical centers. Twelve years ago, I had liposuction performed on my body. I went to a doctor who met those same requirements. Is abortion not worthy of the same considerations?

Cars come equipped with seat belts to protect lives. Bicycle riders are encouraged to wear helmets to protect their lives. Athletes wear all types of protective gear to help them avoid injuries. Are those individuals more important than a pregnant woman? 

I do not want government intruding in our private lives (especially our bedrooms). I do, however, believe that abortion deserves to be treated with a greater degree of importance than a face mask penalty on the football field. Remove from office anyone who threatens to overturn Roe versus Wade. Make abortions safe. Most important, provide the education and the means so that, in time, abortions will no longer be a necessary evil.

While we are legislating women's lives, let's change the way we refer to medical procedures that result in the termination of a pregnancy due to health concerns. We could call them "Surgically Induced Terminations" or "Medical Priority Terminations." Let's not call them abortions because there are far too many small minded people who will use the negative connotations of that word to hinder progress.