Friday, October 10, 2008

Thoughts on Reproduction

I read this community Feministing.com on a daily basis, and have noticed plenty of posts about freedom of choice, renaming the fanatical "pro-life" people what they truly are: pro-forced birth, and the importance of making the general public realize that more than likely they know a woman or two who has had an abortion.

I think it's truly important that the stories of women who've aborted (and perhaps some of their male partners as well) become part of the common narrative. I believe it would de-stigmatize abortion and lead to more respect for the sanctity of women's bodies.

I have not had an abortion because I am lucky. All my children were conceived within a loving relationship and none have had any developmental or health problems bad enough to make it harmful to them for me to have another child. I have not had an abortion because all of my children, planned or not, have been wanted and welcome. I have not had to choose between my life or health and that of the embryo in my womb.

Things could have been different. I was young and foolish once. I had terrible relationships with emotionally abusive men, and pregnancy there would have been a trap. I like to think I would have been wise enough to abort back then.

Stories have power, and unfortunately the pro-choice movement has not shared enough stories. I'd like to hear more.

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