by Stephanie Joynes

Created on: February 08, 2008

No one is ever Pro-Abortion. No one ever says, "Yes, everyone should have an abortion. It's a great idea!" This is a difficult issue with serious emotions involved. But when it comes to providing the choice of an abortion, it is important that we provide that option to American women.

Prior to the decision of Roe vs. Wade, there were women so desperate to end their pregnancies they were willing to put their lives in danger. They were not able to see a capable and knowledgeable doctor in a clean facility. This is the kind of desperation we are addressing. We aren't looking at pretty nurseries with a loving nanny or mother-in-law to help out when things get tough. For some women caught in a cycle of domestic abuse, a pregnancy can be extremely dangerous. For victims of rape and incest, it is one more traumatic blow. Then consider the women living in poverty who don't have the food, shelter or resources to raise a child.

We would all love to see children placed for adoption. But how many people who are against all abortions actually adopt children? How many open up their homes to foster children from homes where they are not cared for or treated well? How many are involved in their communities to help new single moms with their new babies? Not as many as we would like to see.

We should also look at the fact that the majority of these women are facing a lifetime of single parenthood. Where are the men in this situation? Why aren't men being held responsible for parenting a child? When a woman must be educated to find a job, find affordable child care to go to that job, and find money to support that child, is it any wonder she is overwhelmed by the consequences of an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy? It costs at least $10,000 per year to raise one child. It takes time, patience and commitment. There are bigger issues here than "the sanctity of life." How will that child will be supported financially, emotionally and academically during its lifetime? Once a child is born it doesn't magically have the best parents in the world.

Then there is the issue of parents who wanted their pregnancies to go full term but the fetus was not developing properly. This is already a devastating situation, but to then force a woman to complete her pregnancy can almost seem cruel. There are medical complications that our legal system can't always dictate. These are some of the most personal decisions a woman will ever make, and yet a government official is in the position to make the final decision.

There are so many consequences when two people have unprotected sex, and this is one that affects a lifetime. Women shouldn't face it alone, and they should have the freedom to discuss their choices with an informed doctor in a safe, clean location. If we take that choice away from women, they will find another way to end their pregnancies which can create disastrous results to our society. We can all hope and pray that women will make the best choice for her and her pregnancy.

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