35 years ago today, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in the Roe v. Wade case.
At the time, my mother was 2.5 months pregnant with me. I was never in any danger of not-being (I am from a large Catholic family), but I have thought about the timing of the decision as it relates to me more than once over the years.
When I was growing up, I remember my mom only ever specifically saying anything about abortion one time. We were in her bedroom having a chat about something, and she said something along the lines of she and my dad would be very disappointed if I ended up pregnant (as a teen), that we would have to discuss what would happen, but that abortion was out of the question.
I told her not to worry, that I would not want one anyway.
I still consider myself Catholic, and attend church semi-regularly. I do disagree with the Church's position on birth control, and several other big issues.
And I am pro-choice.
To this day, I would not choose personally to have an abortion except if my life were in danger. I pray to God that I never have to face that situation because it would utterly break my heart. But I cannot in good conscience make that decision for another woman.
One of my college friends, also Catholic, saw things in black-and-white, and I remember once he said that the only reason that women get an abortion is because the pregnancy is inconvenient. I was in a social work graduate program at the time, and I almost hit the roof. While I never counseled any women with crisis pregnancies, I can imagine many situations in which a woman might see abortion as her only choice. I am not God, who am I to judge?
I realize that some of you who will read my blog will disagree with me. That is your right. But consider this: as a society we do not truly value women. And because of that, there will always be women who have to face this awful decision. The least we can do is ensure that she has safe, legal means of securing an abortion if she decides that it is her only choice.
p.s. This post is not intended to start a debate, although I realize my topic is controversial. There are other, more appropriate places where you can debate the issue to your hearts content. If you wish to disagree politely, feel free, but I will not engage in a tit-for-tat and I reserve the right to delete any abusive comments.
8 comments:
Kris,
I completely agree with everything you've written here. While I also wouldn't choose to have an abortion, it's my body, and no one else should have the right to decide what is right for me.
i like you more and more all the time.
i agree with your post. i agree with your disclaimer at the end.
nice, nice, nice.
Kris,
Well written position on a difficult topic. Pro-choice is not necessarily pro-abortion. It is the position the the choice is mine to make.
Well said, Kris!! I completely agree with you as well. No one else, especially the government, has any right telling another human what they can or cannot do with/to their own body.
Very well said Kris. Very well indeed.
Kris,
Very well said. I mentioned not too long ago in my blog that I wish my blogs were much better written like yours =)
:-)
Well said my friend, well said.
Thank you everyone for your comments. I was thinking last night that I know to some degree my parents' views, but I have no idea what my siblings think about this issue.
As we were growing up, our parents impartd their values but also gave us the space to make our own decisions when we became adults.
I can make some educated guesses about what my 4 sisters might think, but I have no clue about my 2 brothers.
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