My Uterus, My Life

No, I don’t need an abortion– and quite honestly I hope I never do. And no, I’ve never struggled to have access to healthcare or even reproductive care including birth control. I’m well educated in safe-sex practices and reproductive care. Statistically, I’m unlikely to ever be affected by the seemingly imminent abortion ban (knock-on-wood). But yet, I am horrified and embarrassed to be living in a world where this could even happen.

Before coming into work overnight, I watched a scene on the news that included a panel of 5 old white men debating their opinion on the morality of abortion, and if it was considered healthcare. Quite frankly, I didn't even get the impression that any of them were doctors, but rather career politicians. It would probably be laughable, if it wasn’t so alarming and downright scary.

As a country, we come 41st in the world for maternal care. That's ridiculous considering the money and resources we have-- and no one really knows why it's that bad (and getting worse over the years). That alone should be reason enough to give women their own choice in if they want to have children here. We have lackluster maternal leave and no required paternal leave, no standard sex education (and it’s very often subpar), and access to healthcare and birth control especially is not promised and is often expensive, no universal childcare, and the list goes on. The fact that women would even need a reason to have an abortion besides their own preference is counterintuitive. Just let us own our own bodies already.

We just finished a pandemic where I had to listen to people complain for years about how they didn't want to wear a mask because it was "dangerous" or "infringed on their rights". You know what's actually dangerous and does in fact infringe on rights if forced? Pregnancy. So I really hope those people carry that same energy into this, although I think the chances of that are slim to none.

The rationale for not upholding Roe V. Wade? It wasn’t explicitly stated in the constitution. That I find also almost laughable. Like really? You’re telling me that a document written in 1787 by exclusively white men didn’t include any guidance on women’s rights? Knock me over with a feather. I had no idea that the founding fathers were such omnicescent creatures that would be sources of ultimate decision making for every issue that came up in the future of the country. It’s not only absurd, but also sets a dangerous precedent. According to that logic, anything not explicitly protected by the Constitution is now up for legal grabs. And, clearly, we are not dealing with the most tolerant, caring, or progressive supreme court.

I will be completely honest– I literally do not care if another woman chooses to have an abortion. Absolutely zero moral qualms. I'll still sleep at night. And that has nothing to do with how I personally feel about abortion. A woman making that choice could literally not effect me less– in fact I’m sure it would effect me more if the social work and healthcare system had to bear the burden of abortions becoming illegal. Because guess what– children will be born into homes that are unsuited for them, be born with health defects, or we will be dealing with botched back alley abortions. I would likely never even know, and I’m also aware that my opinion doesn't really matter in what choice another woman decides to make. Through history, it’s been shown repeatedly that the legality of abortions has little to no impact on abortion rates. But, rather, it does have an impact on the maternal mortality rate associated with abortion. This is not about saving “children”, but controlling women.

When women got the opportunity to control their reproduction, everything changed. They could go to college and graduate, they become competitive professionals, they were able to embrace their sexuality, and really were able to truly reach their full potential without being bogged down by 4 kids by the time they were 25. This all happened as a direct result of birth control, and abortion access.

I think Christians are so quick to defend these “unborn children” (not a term I agree with based on science, but whatever) because they are the perfect victims. They ask for nothing in return, have no opinion, and have no questionable history or sins for these religious individuals to pick apart. They become the perfect scapegoat. Rather than advocate and advance the actual people already inhabiting the earth– the ones being forced to carry these children– who have previous sins and may make choices that these people don’t agree with, they torture them with these “children”. It’s so easy to advocate for a person who doesn’t really exist yet, but the challenge really starts when one must start embracing and advocating for those with a history that may conflict with their own ideals.

It is my hope that people realize what a grave situation this is, and realize that many of the luxuries (birth control, healthcare access, etc…) that they now enjoy are not guaranteed. Because, apparently, unless it is distinctly outlined in the constitution (and if your a woman or any other minority group, it’s likely not) then the supreme court is not obligated to uphold it. Talk to people, make a fuss, get involved, make people uncomfortable, hold discussions. Because while this may not seem to affect you right now, it is and likely will become a direct infringement on your rights. And if not yours, then someone you care about.