The dictionary defines feminism as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes”. Feminism is primarily focused on equal rights. Not many people can argue against the equal rights of the sexes. However, modern feminism has acquired a stereotype of women who radically fight for abortion rights and shy away from the traditional family. The majority of radical feminist’s state that they are pro-women while also promoting abortion.
I believe that pro-choice and feminism oppose each other, as promoting abortion is undermining the life-giving capacity that women possess. How is fighting for the right to abortion promoting equality? One reason why so many are concerned about abortion rights may be a result of the stigma and lack of resources our world provides to pregnant women.
Marth Brinkerhoff wrote in her essay titled The Revolution that “[w]hen a man steals to satisfy hunger, we may safely conclude that there is something wrong in society—so when a woman destroys the life of her unborn child, it is an evidence that either by education or circumstances she has been greatly wronged” (2). This quote exemplifies the need for a women-centered approach to eliminating the need to terminate new life. We must eliminate barriers and burdens that women face during and after pregnancy to avoid abortion. Women deserve better than that.
As women struggle to get support from employers, universities, and family members when pregnant, “[a]bortion is a reflection that we have not met the needs of women”(1). Terminating new life masks an unmet need in our world. If a woman is not able to support her child, there is a bigger issue in our world today. As pro-life activists, our job is to provide ease of pregnancy to successfully carry a baby to term in this society.
The very idea that abortion activists have towards pregnancy is that women’s reproduction is a burden on society. This is not an ideology that feminism should promote as it is anti-women. Pro-women indicate that all women have a right to life, beginning in the womb.
A true feminist is pro-women and pro-life. Women deserve better than the abortions that are so promoted, accepted, and normalized in society today. Our reproductive abilities are so often being disrespected by the normalization of abortions. Abortions not only destroy an innocent life but often injure the woman and cause infertility as well. The idea that abortion can be safe is flawed as it involves destruction of a fetus limb by limb, as well as medical and infertility side effects towards women. Women deserve better than abortions.
(1) https://www.fflnwo.org/pro-life-feminists-do-exist.html
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