| I have always been a supporter of a woman's | | | | want to see time and resources devoted to the |
| right to choose. It is not simply that I am a | | | | prevention of abortion. Think of helping |
| supporter of abortion. I have never had an | | | | these disadvantaged women and children as |
| abortion and don't think I could. However, I | | | | preventing the abortions of tomorrow. Simply |
| should have the right to make that decision | | | | outlawing abortion will not solve the root |
| myself -- not have it forced on me. My | | | | problem, instead it will drive those in need |
| position on abortion is really very simple -- | | | | of an abortion into back alleys, but if you |
| it should be legal, safe and rare. | | | | can solve the problems of abuse and poverty |
| | | | then there will be fewer unwanted pregnancies |
| The most important reason for my belief that | | | | and fewer abortions. |
| abortion should be legal and safe is very | | | | |
| closely tied to women's rights. A society | | | | Another important reason I believe the choice |
| that controls and shackles women's freedom | | | | should be left up to the woman in question is |
| cannot be wholly free. I do believe the issue | | | | that I believe the decision to reproduce has |
| is one of power and control -- of domination | | | | to be made willingly and only by the person |
| -- over women. If men could become pregnant | | | | involved. Pregnancy and child birth is a |
| abortion would not even be an issue. | | | | physical ordeal that can have a lifelong |
| Pregnancy and child care have long been ways | | | | impact on a woman's mental and physical |
| that men have controlled and dominated women | | | | health and well being. In addition, the |
| as well as restricted their education and | | | | decision to raise a child has tremendous |
| professional lives. When abortion is outlawed | | | | personal, professional, and financial |
| or restricted by laws then it becomes even | | | | repercussions. While it takes two to make a |
| more of an issue of control and | | | | baby, all too often in the case of an |
| discrimination -- aimed at the lower classes. | | | | unplanned pregnancy it is the woman who is |
| We know that abortion will never disappear | | | | left to cope alone. It is really quite |
| entirely, at least until universal fail-safe | | | | simple. I believe that if I am going to |
| birth control exists, and that people of | | | | undergo a process that effects my physical |
| means will be able to obtain a safe abortion | | | | and mental well being as well as my financial |
| here or abroad. Outlawing abortion simply | | | | and professional future then I should be able |
| ensures that the poor and disadvantaged will | | | | to make the decision myself. I am a mother |
| have no safe alternative. | | | | and I love my child more than anything, but |
| | | | my pregnancy and child birth were difficult |
| I have never understood why so many people | | | | and life threatening. I am not sure if I |
| put so much time, money and effort into | | | | could have survived either without the |
| outlawing abortion when spending that same | | | | support of my husband, family, friends, and |
| time, money and effort on helping women | | | | co-workers. I know this group has been even |
| without choices and helping the many abused | | | | more important to me while raising my child. |
| and neglected children we already have would | | | | I am an educated professional with a good job |
| do far more to prevent abortions than any law | | | | and a good support system. I cannot imagine |
| ever could. Contrary to many abortion foes | | | | how people with fewer resources do it. We are |
| belief, I don't believe abortion is an easy | | | | failing as a society when we force so many to |
| choice for most women -- and for those it is | | | | do so. |
| an easy choice it is probably better they not | | | | |
| be given responsibility for the health and | | | | If we want a society that is truly free and |
| welfare of a fetus or child. Many women who | | | | truly responsible for all its members then |
| choose to have an abortion feel they have no | | | | abortion must be legal and safe. If abortion |
| alternative. Why not work to truly help those | | | | foes truly want to stop abortions then they |
| women so they do have choices and options? | | | | should work on addressing the root causes of |
| Until our society truly takes its | | | | abortion -- poverty, abuse, and lack of |
| responsibility to the children already born | | | | opportunity. The more we do to give women |
| so we have no child suffering starvation, | | | | freedom of choice and control over their |
| poverty, neglect, and abuse -- and all our | | | | lives then the rarer abortion will be. Then |
| children are given every opportunity for a | | | | everyone wins. |
| quality education and future then I don't | | | | |