And yes, I believe that there should be greater resources for both pregnant women and those suffering from post-abortion issues. But even if there were more therapy, etc for women post-abortion, that wouldn’t change the fundamental fact that abortion is often psychologically and physically damaging. If abortion were a “normal” procedure or medication, it would have been banned decades ago because of the disastrous side-effects.

Keep up the good work.

While I do see where you’re coming from, I think perhaps you’re claims are a little unwarranted. You say that women getting abortions aren’t respected. The people who are showing a lack of respect are those out front the abortion clinic harassing her. Nor are women forced into abortions as you also suggest.

Planned Parenthood offers counseling and advice to women. Support if there if a woman seeks it out. (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion-4260.htm).

Also the American Psychiatric Association released the following statement “As we have known, there is no convincing evidence that abortion is a significant cause of
psychiatric illness. We must distinguish illnesses from feelings. A woman may have many
emotional reactions to an unwanted pregnancy and abortion – most commonly relief” (http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2008NewsReleases/pr_abortion.aspx) I know that you wrote an article about how bad abortion is for women, starting with the side effects. Like a medication (a comparison you made, not me) it is the decision of the doctor and the patient to weigh the benefits with the side effects and make a decision.

I will agree that we need to strengthen options for women, that is pro-women. Education is key. Trying to reduce the number abortions is key. I do not believe abortion is an option we can take away from women. Like many before me have said “safe, legal, rare” is the best approach. I’m sorry you don’t feel that giving women a voice and the ability to make a decision is pro-women, but I will have to whole heartedly disagree.

It doesn’t. Abortion does not contribute to a woman’s wellbeing and it reflects a lack of options for women. Just because a woman can have an abortion in a sterile environment doesn’t mean she’s being respected, or that her wellbeing is being safeguarded. Strengthening resources for women experiencing unexpected pregnancies so that motherhood is a viable choice is truly pro-women. Women should not have to worry about losing their jobs because they are pregnant – but the US currently doesn’t require paid maternity leave. “Reproductive choice” means educating women about proper measures to prevent unintended pregnancy and making sure that when they carry and give birth to the child that there are adequate resources. Not, by lack of support, forcing them to have an often-destructive procedure. There’s nothing pro-”choice” or pro-women about abortion.

First of all I’d like to thank you for remaining respectful in your response and I agree, I hope a constructive dialogue continues as well.

We do not deny the right to life to children or the physically disabled, that is true. But a fetus is not the same as either of these groups. It is unfair to compare them really. Abortion of a fetus and killing a physically disabled person can not be equated.

I would like to reiterate my point about morality. Yes we have general standards of morality. But abortion is an issue that no one seems to take the same view on. In my opinion, it is not the job of the pro life movement, or any other group, to force a standard of morality that someone cannot accept. When a woman is in a situation as difficult as an unwanted pregnancy, she does not need to be bombarded with the morality of other people, she needs to examine the situation and make the decision for herself based off of her own moral views and be prepared to live with the consequences.

Again, I’d like to point out, I do not believe this issue is about abortion, I believe it is deeply rooted in personal choice and having the ability to make a very difficult decision for oneself.

Science has established that life begins at conception, it is not a religious belief, it is a fact. From a moral point of view we can argue that abortion is beneath us as women, human beings and members of a civilized society that believes in equality and justice for all.

These rights have come at a price and after many struggles but all of it is worthless if we deny human beings the right to enjoy them.

My heart breaks for the difficult situation in which women find themselves, but death is never the answer. WE CAN DO BETTER and we must. Thank you for the opportunity to comment, I hope constructive dialogue will continue on this subject.