I am pro-choice. I am not pro-abortion. & I am not "pro-murder". But I firmly believe in the RIGHT that woman have to choose whether or not to parent, place a child for adoption or have an abortion.
Let me start by saying, I would not have an abortion, nor would I have ever, at any point in my sexually-active life had an abortion had I become pregnant. BUT- I have an incredibly amazing and supportive family. I know in my heart that my family would have guided me, supported me, and encouraged me every step of the way. I also know that not every one has families like mine.
I would also like to say that I am PRO-ADOPTION. & I believe that adoption is the right choice for many, many women and families. For those of you who know me well, know that I have PCOS which causes infertility. I hope that one day, when we are ready to adopt (whether we have biological children are not) that a very selfless woman places her child in our lives.
But adoption is not the right choice for many. And neither is parenting. & it saddens me that people cant see that. I know that, interning at DHR, I have a very unique perspective. & I would like to share a few of the things I have encountered: (I would also like to say that this is a very personal perspective, and I am not speaking on the behalf of anyone other than myself)
- During my first month or so at DHR, I was working on a case where 2 MIDDLE SCHOOL girls were prostituting for drugs and money during school hours. One of the girls reported being raped twice. Both girls ended up pregnant at 14 and 15 YEARS OLD. Now the mothers, and all of the children are in custody of the state. So, pro-life people, are you in support of providing these mothers with parenting classes? with food stamps? housing? cash? transportation? medicaid?
& Regardless of the services that are being offered- what kind of life do you think these girls have? THEY HAVE NO HOME. They have no stability.
- I saw this on my facebook the other day... & let me tell you- You do not know what sad is until you come across a child that has ACTUALLY been shot.
I met a young man the other day that was SHOT in the CHEST when he a toddler....Luckily the bullet got lodged in his ribcage, and it was not fatal, but he will likely have complications for the rest of his life.
YEARS later the mother of this child showed up at DHR and told a worker that DHR "better take custody" because she didnt want him anymore. He is now in his teens and is in desperate need of a permanent home. ((Let me ask you, right now, do YOU have what it takes to adopt a child that has been neglected or abused? What about a teenager?))
- I also met a beautiful young boy that broke my heart. 30 seconds before I met my sweet friend, I learned that he WITNESSED his brothers murder. His little brother was literally beaten to death.
I could sit here all day and list sad stories for you. I am not saying that these children should have been aborted, because they are all wonderful children. But I am saying that shaming a woman into parenting her children is not the right thing to do. Think about about kind of life a child would have when you "save" it at the abortion clinic.
Because, my opinion is, that you can show up to an abortion clinic and change some one's mind, but you arent doing anything to change their situation. Believe it or not, not all women who choose abortion are heartless, selfish bitches.
And if you still feel really inclined to 'save' these babies, why dont you try also making a difference in a child's life that is ALREADY on this earth? Have you ever considered a Big Brother/Big Sister program? Tutoring an at-risk child? Being a positive influence on children that dont have parents? Fostering a child or children? What about adopting?
And if you cant do any of that, what about SUPPORTING the programs that are out there to help young/single/jobless/[insert word here] women and families? ((And Im not just talking about Sav-A-Life))
I would like to end by saying that I dont think Pro-Life people are bad people. I think that saving children is a noble thing. (Hey, Im all about saving babies) I just wanted to offer my Pro-life FRIENDS a different perspective. (Because, I hope you are still my friends)
I support a woman's right to choose. I am pro-choice.
