All the media networks were telling me I should be outraged, and shocked, and in grief and tears over the overturned Roe vs. Wade ruling which just occurred in the Supreme Court. I understand it is a cornerstone case. I understand it has a ripple effect on the lives of a lot of people whether in place or over turned. I understand the public has to keep their eyes on this one closely and I understand why the people are filling the streets. I can see and value many points of view because it is a complex issue. As with other very controversial, and polarizing issues, it is one that is easy to grab as a political football from both parties and sensationalize which isn’t very helpful to the solving of the issue.
Because it is an important topic. I thought I would give my viewpoint:
I personally have not had an abortion or ever used Planned Parenthood services, and feel it is highly probable I never will, so on a personal level it didn’t have much impact. I don’t and haven’t had friendships that are violent, and have never had an abusive boyfriend. If they were abusive why would I want them for a friend? I don’t succumb to rape or incest. (I can say that because it has never happened, knock on wood) Because of this, I am not a high risk for needing the procedure, unless it was an extreme circumstance like stranger rape.
Although rape by a stranger is unlikely, the unique difference of men’s and women’s bodies is such that women have that remote possibility from puberty to menopause to find themselves pregnant for that unexpected reason. That is true for all women, married, unmarried, across the socio-economic spectrum. Therefore, in that sense, this ruling does directly impact all of those women at least who fall in the areas of the country where abortion is not permitted even in cases of rape.
I only have had two friends that I have known of that have had abortions and I wasn’t a factor in their decision, although I am sure I have known people who have had them without my knowing. It’s not a question that often comes up in conversations. I wouldn’t recommend it one way or the other if I were asked. That is a deeply personal decision, and each situation is unique to the person. You have to weigh in how hard it is on the psyche, and I personally don’t dismiss the consideration of the life inside, whether or not you are in relationship, etc, but there can be other considerations to these things.
The elephant in the room that seems rarely mentioned, is there is another side to ‘paradise’ in this country for women. In the course of many decades many of my women friends, a couple family members, and even a few men friends have confided deep things to me. They have told me of their experiences and trials. They have told me stories of date rape, incest, or a different kind of severe harassment. In almost all cases they swore me to secrecy but wanted to share with me. I was a willing listener, but because of the promises made, I can’t repeat their stories. Most didn’t mention a pregnancy or abortion, so I assumed there wasn’t one, but some of the stories were hair-raising. I would have wanted that woman going through that crisis to have access to abortion without some Washington or local bureaucrat inserting themselves in an already horrific situation.
I can’t comment as easily for the abortions that take place purely because of finances. In my opinion, safely nets can help women to take another course. Secular and non-secular social support, government and non-government NPOs should be run so well and be so extensive that all the women can choose to keep the baby without finances alone being the reason they don’t. Political and social dynamics get in the way of these solutions but there are a lot of good people doing good work in this area also.
I also can’t comment on married women or women in relationship choosing the course, because I can’t relate to that decision. If I am not willing to carry someone’s child, I don’t sleep with them. It makes me a boring date, but healthier person in the long term. That is a personal life choice, not a proclamation of how all should live.
I identify with Christianity more than I don’t. I was raised with it, and believe at it’s essence is a profoundly human supporting, core ideology. One difference that separates me from some of my Christian brothers and sisters is they seem to think that they can speak for (or worse legislate over) another’s private libido. They seem a little tone deaf to the diverse socio-economic situations people find themselves in this vast country. Such situations can lead to becoming a victim in a way a comfortable, supported person who is in a family and in lower risk might not understand. Keeping the pregnancy in my view of course is preferable, but at the end of the day, all abortion should up to the person, their chosen support system, and their doctor not a Washington bureaucrat and the local sheriff’s department. To have it otherwise seems dystopian to me.
I personally am glad my fellow citizens will hash this issue out over the next few years and claim the highest balance possible. I think the decision was wrongly decided leaving many vulnerable people at risk, but I don’t really feel long term ground has been lost that won’t be regained. What is on the right side of history is what prevails in the end. It is a profoundly complicated issue and getting a baseline and balance that will address the multifaceted problem will take time. To simplify it to a yes/no question is convenient for the shock and awe and outrage the political parties want to generate for their elections. However, yes/no word traps really aren’t helpful in solving the complex problem.
I will seek to look below all of that and maintain compassion for the tender souls affected whose stories I don’t know. Since I am not directly connected to this problem via my own life or vocation, I will pray that over time, the country reach a balance. In my view, in this scenario, abortion would be legal but rare. Other peaceful, supportive factors will have been introduced which reduce its frequency.