The term pro-life is a bit of a misnomer. The term implies caring for the sanctity and well-being of a person, including quality of life and opportunity to thrive. However, people who identify as “pro-life” often focus singularly on an anti-abortion stance.
One of the many arguments against abortion is that by aborting a fetus, you are robbing them of the chance to live a full life, and that a fetus deserves an opportunity to thrive. But what does that really mean? First, we must examine the reasons why a woman may choose to have an abortion. Maybe she is a scared young teenager who cannot properly care and provide for a child. Maybe she is a mother living in poverty that literally cannot afford another child, and the addition of a baby would rob her existing children from valuable resources. Maybe she is a disheartened woman in an abusive relationship, an environment that would be dangerous for a child. Or perhaps she is a rape victim, scared and ashamed of her unintended pregnancy. Women have abortions for a myriad of reasons, and everyone has a different story. Abortion is a resource for women such as these that are not able to or ready to raise a child. The choice to have an abortion is not a black and white issue, it is individualized and personal and should not be judged. Many people seem to stop caring once a child is born. They fight for rights of a fetus, but do not consider the rights of a child, much less the well-being of the mother. After a child is born, what laws and resources do we have to help mothers care for their child? How do we help single moms or families living in poverty? What mental health counseling do we have for teenagers and rape victims? How do we assist parents who have disabled or ill children? How do we help teen moms raise children and continue their education? The answer is very few. If a person wishes to take a pro-life stance, which is their personal choice, they should be equally concerned with caring for the child and mother as they are for the fetus. What about cases of late-term abortion in situations where the fetus’s life or quality of life is threatened? Detection of fetal abnormalities later in a pregnancy often results in the excited mother and her partner to face a difficult decision whether or not to terminate the pregnancy. Some families choose an abortion because the child would not have a meaningful life or would be faced with severe debilitations. Some families do not have the resources or support system to care for a handicapped child. These women are often sympathized with as they make a painstaking choice. However, some people do not believe that this choice is ok, and that someone is “playing God” and ignoring the possibility of a miracle. I do not wish to philosophize about the legitimacy of miracles, but scientifically speaking, modern medicine is usually correct when detecting fetal abnormalities. The possibility of a miracle is a reason that a mother may choose to continue the risky pregnancy. Either decision is an extremely difficult one, and a woman (regardless of her choice) should be met with support and love. My pro-choice stance is accompanied by a desire to reduce the needs for and the number of abortions performed. Pro-life and pro-choice people must unite to work to solve the issues of unintended pregnancy and providing resources for families who are in need. Let’s start with providing comprehensive, accessible sex education and affordable contraception to reduce rates of unintended pregnancies in the first place. Next, we need to address teen pregnancy. We must stop shaming teen parents and support them regardless of their decision. Pregnant teens who choose to keep their child often need resources to help them stay in school, raise a child, and continue their lives. Adoption is often an expensive, messy process that is not a viable for many families. Children who are unable to be cared for by their biological parents deserve opportunity to thrive, and adoption should be less expensive and follow a streamlined process. Families that do not have the monetary resources need assistance to care for the children they already have. Childcare, financial support, and affordable health care are crucial for caring for a child. Parents who have a disabled or ill child need extra support. Without affordable, accessible health care, many families cannot properly care for their child. Children with disabilities and illnesses deserve the same opportunities to thrive as other children. If you identify as pro-life, make sure that your stance is inclusive, open-minded, and problem-solving focused. We need laws, protections, and resources, and none of that can be achieved without social cohesion and understanding.
0 Comments
We need to start to talking about chronic illness. Persistent diseases can push a person to their limits, both physically and mentally. By raising awareness for these issues, we can allow individuals who struggle with chronic illness to feel validated in their challenges and supported by others who understand what they are going through. People who do not have a prolonged condition also need to be educated in order to become better allies for others who battle illness.
I've lived with a chronic illness my whole life, and as a result have lost my entire colon. After my large intestine was removed, most people I knew assumed that I was "cured" and that my struggles had ceased. Unfortunately, chronic illness has no end game, it can wax and wane but it does not disappear. There is no magic pill, dietary change, procedure, or surgery that can just take it all away. Believe me, if there was, I would have taken it long before someone asked. As an ally of someone who has a chronic illness, it is important to consider how the person may interpret your words. It is never helpful to make suggestions of things for them to "try"; it is never helpful to press questions like, "When will you be better?", "Is this your last surgery/procedure?", "What's next?". The answer is that nothing is certain and chronic illness is unpredictable. I never know what is coming next, and that can be scary. It is better for you, as an ally, to ask how you can support your loved one. Treat them like a normal person; do not allow your view of them to be clouded by the fact that they are sick. I find myself weary of people assuming that I am incapable of doing things for myself and that I am frail. Let me take the lead and communicate my own limitations before assuming them. People with a chronic illness often just need a safe space to talk about their feelings and process their experiences. As an ally, you can be that person for your loved one. Recently, I've been battling severe gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach becomes paralyzed. No longer able to eat, I rely on tube feedings directly flowing into my small intestine. My already low body weight has dropped by twenty pounds and I have to battle dehydration and electrolyte imbalance every day. I have spent the past few months in and out of the hospital; I have undergone numerous tests, procedures, medications, and surgeries that have produced no results. Currently, I am facing the possibility of a more invasive surgery in attempt to achieve some level of normalcy and regain the ability to eat again. However, these surgeries are not a guaranteed success and come with a unique set of risks and serious life changes. This is the reality of chronic illness, a painful truth that must be unveiled in order for people to begin to understand what invisible illness is really like. Allies, break out of your comfort zone. Changing the way that society views and responds to chronic illness is a collective effort, and cannot be done without your support. Educate yourselves, allow yourself to be challenged and to feel uncomfortable. Help be the change you wish to see in the world. |
AuthorWelcome to Sickness and Society! I'm Jenna Lee, and I hope to work to create an open dialogue about chronic illness that leads to change about how society views illness. Archives
November 2017
Categories |