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