Susan B Anthony, one of the earliest feminists believed that “[f]oeticides and Infanticides should be classed together and regarded with shuddering horror by the whole human race”(1). These words depict the shock humanity should feel from the concept of abortion. The choice of words such as “infanticide” paired with “foeticides” puts abortion on the same scale as murder. The term abortion sugarcoats what is actually happening; the intentional murder of unborn babies.
“My body my choice” is a phrase put forward by pro-choice feminists when fighting for their claimed right to abortion. This statement asserts that women hold their own autonomy above the rights of the fetus. Nevertheless, when a woman becomes pregnant, it is no longer only her body she is in control of, it is two separate humans. Mother and baby possess their own unique DNA. Both, depending on age, have brains which are in different stages of development.
Our stage of development does not define our right to life. A woman younger than twenty-five years old has not finished fully developing her brain. However, a woman over thirty years of age has a fully developed brain. Does this mean that a twenty-year-old has less of a right to life? The idea that a person’s worth is based on their level of development and autonomy is anti-equality.
Furthermore, those who advocate for bodily autonomy and a right to choose do not realize the repercussions of abortion for the mother. One study states that “women with a prior history of abortion were 65% more likely to score in the ‘high-risk’ range for depression” (3). Abortions not only destroy the fetus but can damage the long-lasting mental health and fertility of women receiving them. And this is just one example of the consequences. Therefore, women deserve better than abortions.
Lack of emotional and financial support is the number one reason women seek abortions. Women do not feel as if they have a choice when their own peers, family and spouses will not support their decision emotionally or financially. Women of every socioeconomic class are very often pressured into having abortions. One example would be Jennifer O’Neill who “had an abortion after being coerced by her powerful and wealthy fiancé … The abortion damaged her cervix and she subsequently suffered nine miscarriages” (2). She went on to tell the world that she would never make that choice again. Once again, women deserve better than abortions.
Pro-abortion is anti-women. It is damaging to even the idea of women. Our societies mindset on female reproduction needs to be reformed as we paint a story of empowerment as women take control of their destiny despite an unplanned pregnancy.
References
(1). https://www.feministsforlife.org/-news/susan-b-anthony-the-rest-of-the-story.htm
(3) https://www.medscimonit.com/download/index/idArt/4701
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