by Emme Setter

Created on: March 10, 2009

Walking down a Boston street, between where I was staying and the coffee shop I choose that morning was a Planned Parent Hood. The building was nondescript, the store front would easily blend with its surroundings where it not for the famous name and its controversial connotations. Something else made this particular block unique- the men. Older men, white hair and slightly overweight, casually dressed and throwing their bulk in the direction of any woman brave enough to cross their path. They where obviously on a mission, pamphlets and bible in hand. As I passed them, I made eye contact with one of the men, gave what must have seemed like a very weak smile and tried to pass by. He was quickly by my side, demanding if I was going to kill my child, If i was there for an abortion. I pointed to the coffee shop, and walked by as fast as I could.What struck me must about these men was not their bibles or aggressive manners though, bibles and aggression are the backbone of anti-choice demonstrators, but their gender was significant. Men making dictating choices they could never dream of understanding, or making for themselves.

Rape, a one night stand, a committed family who can't afford one more... those in need of an abortion take all forms and despite our moral problems with how they live their lives, if the abortion is an early term abortion it should be allowed no questions asked. This is not a form of population control, their are no ulterior motives it's very simple: a woman must be able to choose, the life of the already existing, the already contributing, thinking and rationalizing is always more important than a non viable fetus. It is so terribly unfortunate that this decision must be faced, but mistakes are a part of humanity. Teens and adults experience the pain of the gravity of the situation and their own personal beliefs but ultimately no one can, or should decide to carry a child except for the woman pregnant.

The implications of forcing a woman to carry a child against her will are incalculable to both child and mother. The mother is far less likely to partake in pre-natal care and more likely to engage in risky behavior. Not all unwanted children are given up for adoption, they are raised in harmful environments, they might not be given proper care or flat out be neglected. The woman, if single will face accusations and judgement from the people want her to not abort the child. She may be shunned from her family or her community. The stress of such could only encourage more risky behavior both while pregnant and after the child is born. It is unfair to for children into the world when they are, instead of discarded simply treated as trash. Another unfortunate fact is not all children given up for adoption are adopted. The children born with developmental problems due to poor prenatal care, the children taken away after years of neglect often float through the system unloved, only their Basic needs met and most likely becoming part of the welfare problem right wingers, and many anti choicers bemoan.

Abortion should only be the choice of the woman, no one should be able to dictate another's body.

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