The abortion issue is especially divisive. On the one hand, the abortion-rights crowd believes personal freedom is the greatest and highest good. On the other hand, those who are anti-abortion hold tightly to the idea that the right to life supersedes all. As expected, the overwhelming majority of Republicans and conservatives fall in the latter group. We draw our inspiration from principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence, which famously notes that our unalienable rights are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Life comes first. Despite political changes or increasing cultural pressures, the anti-abortion movement must be unwavering on the belief that unborn life is worthy of protection. Just as critical is the need to gain anti-abortion converts in a society that treats abortion more casually than ever before.
In a recent piece in The Atlantic titled “The Dishonesty of the Abortion Debate,” writer Caitlin Flanagan discusses both the worth of women who face unplanned or unwanted pregnancies and the unborn lives they carry. She describes horrific cases where women chose to self-abort when abortion was illegal. In some instances, the women died as a result.
As a female and a mother myself, I can certainly relate to the stress associated with pregnancy. Parenthood is life-altering. Sadly, some women (and men) conclude that they are not ready for it and in the end, wrongly decide that destroying the new life in the womb will solve the problem.
Although there is no room to waver when it comes to being honest about the unborn, Flanagan, who is for abortion rights, still makes some points that should be considered by all. She writes:
When considering pregnancy, it is tempting to place nearly all focus on the life in the womb. This is understandable, as these new creations are entirely dependent on the mother and have a fragile, months-long journey. But what Flanagan gets right is that just as important as the child is the woman in each situation.
Although pregnancy is certainly not a disease, it is most definitely a major medical event. Many problems can arise that place tremendous strain on the mother.
Even though this is true, the majority of abortions are chosen because of other life stresses not associated with health concerns. According to the Guttmacher Institute, financial, relational, personal, and employment problems — not health issues — are the main reasons a woman decides to go ahead with an abortion. So although Flanagan is correct that there are “extremely human, complex, and often heartbreaking reasons” behind many abortions, these hardships are never reason enough to sentence an unborn child to death.
Flanagan notes, “The argument for abortion, if made honestly, requires many words …The argument against it doesn’t take even a single word. The argument against it is a picture.” The reality of the ultrasound is enough to give full weight to the cause of life, no matter the opposition.
On a positive note, as it relates to the author’s claims, the anti-abortion movement has toned down a good portion of the off-putting rhetoric associated with some of its earlier years. There is still work to do, though. Leading with compassion when dealing with women who are considering abortion is an absolute must. We want everyone to want their children, but frankly, some don’t. To save a child, the mother has to know she also has inherent worth, no matter her backstory. There is simply no other way to campaign for life. A comprehensive approach that considers both baby and mother is the only way forward.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
