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