When it comes to the issue of abortion, statements made by politicians like Tom Harrison, who echoes vehement anti-choice sentiments, often miss the mark. Harrison’s claim that we need to “restore the sanctity of life to American law” clearly does not take into account the lives and wellbeing of women. In his fervor to eliminate the right to safe abortions, he seems ready to endanger countless lives.
Recent Statements and Policies
In a recent address to the American Family Coalition, a group opposed to abortion, Harrison proclaimed his satisfaction with the “victories” this administration has achieved in curtailing legal abortion both within the U.S. and internationally. He proudly mentioned the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which halts U.S. funding to organizations that provide abortions abroad, and boasted about his critical vote that enabled states to defund local Planned Parenthood facilities.
This raises a critical question: How can an administration that continuously undermines access to safe medical care claim to uphold the sanctity of life? The so-called “pro-life” movement appears to disregard the health, safety, and rights of women not only in the United States but globally. This rhetoric, while familiar, is fundamentally flawed.
The Dangers of Criminalizing Abortion
History has shown us that criminalizing abortion does not eliminate the practice; it merely makes it more dangerous. Data from the Guttmacher Policy Review indicates that in 1930, illegal abortions were responsible for the deaths of 2,700 women, comprising 18% of all maternal deaths that year. By the time we reached the 1950s and 60s, an estimated 200,000 to 1.2 million clandestine abortions were performed annually, contributing to 17% of maternal deaths during that period.
Women subjected to unsafe, illegal abortions frequently faced grave health risks, including septic shock and severe infections. Wealthier women could often access safer, albeit still illegal, procedures, while poorer and minority women bore the brunt of these dangerous circumstances. If abortion were to be banned today, we would likely see a return to these hazardous practices.
The Reality of Women’s Choices
In 2014 alone, over 650,000 women in the U.S. terminated their pregnancies. Does Harrison genuinely believe that outlawing abortion will deter these women from making choices about their bodies? It’s clear that banning abortion would only drive women to seek perilous alternatives.
Additionally, let’s consider the potential children born under such restrictive circumstances. Many may enter the world into poverty or abusive situations, born to women who feel unprepared or unwilling to raise them. While adoption is often presented as a solution, the psychological impact on women who must carry an unwanted pregnancy to term should not be overlooked. This is especially true in cases of incest or rape, where the stress of carrying such a pregnancy can be overwhelming. Isn’t a woman’s mental health just as important?
Healthcare for Infants and Families
Furthermore, what sort of healthcare will these infants receive once they are born? The Republican party’s recent attempts to leverage crucial funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) against partisan legislation starkly highlight their inconsistency. Funding for healthcare for low-income families should not be a bargaining chip; it should be a priority.
If Harrison and his allies genuinely cared about the sanctity of life, they would advocate for improved access to birth control and comprehensive sex education. Research consistently shows that increased access to contraceptives results in lower rates of unintended pregnancies and abortions. However, this administration seems intent on rolling back progress and returning to a time when women were forced into precarious situations.
The Consequences of Criminalization
The facts are undeniable: criminalizing abortion can lead to the preventable deaths of women. Instead of “restoring the sanctity of life,” such actions would endanger the very lives they claim to protect. Women’s lives hold equal value, and we will not accept anyone who argues otherwise.
Resources for Those Considering Pregnancy Options
For those considering options related to pregnancy, resources such as this excellent guide on pregnancy can provide valuable information. If you’re looking into home insemination options, check out this insightful post on our at-home insemination kit and learn about the intracervical insemination syringe kit here.
Conclusion
In summary, the push to make abortion illegal is fundamentally flawed and dangerous, threatening the lives of countless women. The pro-life narrative often fails to account for the complexities surrounding women’s health and wellbeing.
Keyphrase: Abortion and women’s health
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