Why I Believe Abortion Should Be Legal, Safe, and Rare

I have always been a supporter of a woman's rightchildren are given every opportunity for a quality
to choose. It is not simply that I am a supporter ofeducation and future then I don't want to see time
abortion. I have never had an abortion and don't thinkand resources devoted to the prevention of abortion.
I could. However, I should have the right to makeThink of helping these disadvantaged women and
that decision myself -- not have it forced on me. Mychildren as preventing the abortions of tomorrow.
position on abortion is really very simple -- it shouldSimply 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 thatabortion into back alleys, but if you can solve the
abortion should be legal and safe is very closely tiedproblems of abuse and poverty then there will be
to women's rights. A society that controls andfewer unwanted pregnancies and fewer abortions.
shackles women's freedom cannot be wholly free. IAnother important reason I believe the choice should
do believe the issue is one of power and control -- ofbe left up to the woman in question is that I believe
domination -- over women. If men could becomethe 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 thatbirth is a physical ordeal that can have a lifelong
men have controlled and dominated women as wellimpact 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 thentremendous personal, professional, and financial
it becomes even more of an issue of control andrepercussions. While it takes two to make a baby, all
discrimination -- aimed at the lower classes. We knowtoo often in the case of an unplanned pregnancy it is
that abortion will never disappear entirely, at leastthe woman who is left to cope alone. It is really quite
until universal fail-safe birth control exists, and thatsimple. I believe that if I am going to undergo a
people of means will be able to obtain a safeprocess that effects my physical and mental well
abortion here or abroad. Outlawing abortion simplybeing as well as my financial and professional future
ensures that the poor and disadvantaged will have nothen 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 putbut my pregnancy and child birth were difficult and
so much time, money and effort into outlawinglife threatening. I am not sure if I could have survived
abortion when spending that same time, money andeither without the support of my husband, family,
effort on helping women without choices and helpingfriends, and co-workers. I know this group has been
the many abused and neglected children we alreadyeven more important to me while raising my child. I
have would do far more to prevent abortions thanam an educated professional with a good job and a
any law ever could. Contrary to many abortion foesgood support system. I cannot imagine how people
belief, I don't believe abortion is an easy choice forwith fewer resources do it. We are failing as a
most women -- and for those it is an easy choice itsociety when we force so many to do so.
is probably better they not be given responsibility forIf we want a society that is truly free and truly
the health and welfare of a fetus or child. Manyresponsible for all its members then abortion must be
women who choose to have an abortion feel theylegal and safe. If abortion foes truly want to stop
have no alternative. Why not work to truly helpabortions 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 theof opportunity. The more we do to give women
children already born so we have no child sufferingfreedom of choice and control over their lives then
starvation, poverty, neglect, and abuse -- and all ourthe rarer abortion will be. Then everyone wins.