Abortion In America. Why I’m Terrified Roe vs Wade May Be Overturned Soon
I have been watching the debate and rhetoric around Roe vs Wade and abortions in the US with mounting horror. I cannot believe that any first world country would choose to take such a massive step back in terms of women’s rights. Some of the laws passed also show zero understanding of basic biology as they are completely nonsensical. I’m going to explain why, in my opinion, we must have free access to family planning and abortion worldwide. As I explained in my what body liberation means piece, I believe every woman worldwide should have access to family planning services including abortion.
The eagle-eyed among you may well have noticed that I am from the UK. So, naturally, you may be wondering why I even care as it doesn’t affect me. There are two very good reasons. Firstly, I actually care about what happens to others. I will fight for others on issues that do not directly impact me because I want everybody to be able to lead safe and happy lives. I call it not being an asshole.
Secondly, the US has a lot of sway, particularly over the United Kingdom. I’d like to believe those bunch of Muppets at Westminster would never dream of removing a woman’s rights to abortion, but honestly, I wouldn’t put anything past them in their bid to keep us women in our place.
Ectopic Pregnancies
A bill in Ohio aims to charge a doctor with murder if they do not re-implant an ectopic pregnancy. For those of you who are unsure what this is, an ectopic pregnancy is when the foetus implants itself somewhere other than the womb, usually in a woman’s Fallopian tube.
The Ohio state legislature’s bill requires the doctor to remove the foetus and re-implant it safely in the womb. What’s wrong with that, you ask? Just the tiny snag that it is medically impossible! It cannot be done at our current level of advancement in medicine and science.
Many ectopic pregnancies are desperately wanted by the couple. They would give anything to save the pregnancy and see their child born healthy. Do the geniuses in government in Ohio really think that doctors aren’t doing it for the hell of it? This is such a terrifying thought, do something impossible or face prison. I genuinely don’t understand how Ohio has any doctors left, particularly Ob-Gyns. I’d run for the hills and never look back if it were me.
Children In Foster Care
If every life is sacred and aborting a child under any circumstances is murder, why are there any children in foster care in the US or even the world? Surely if so many people are going to fight for a foetus’s right to life, then they care about the child after it’s born, right?
Here’s a snapshot of the life and probable future of a child growing up in foster care in America.
A study by Johns Hopkins University in Maryland found that children in foster care were four times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse. In the case of group homes, this rises to twenty-eight times more likely. That is a horrifying statistic. Remember, many of these children were placed in the foster care system to protect them from abuse.
In 2013, foster children accounted for more than 50% of the child trafficking victims rescued during FBI raids.
A study at the University of California discovered that compared to children raised outside of the system, foster children:
- Are twice as likely to experience speech problems, learning difficulties, delayed development, and asthma
- Three times as likely to have ADD, impaired hearing and problems with vision
- Five times as likely to have an anxiety disorder
- Six times as likely to develop behavioural problems
- Seven times as likely to be diagnosed with depression
It’s all pretty damning. It doesn’t get any better when they leave. More than 50% of foster children leave the system at 18 years old, having never been adopted.
- 70% of the children referred to the juvenile justice system are foster children
- 50% of foster children will graduate late or not at all
- Former foster children are four times more likely to commit suicide
The most damning statistic of all is that 48% of girls in foster care become pregnant before they are nineteen. If abortion is not an option, then the vicious cycle begins again.
I genuinely do not understand anyone believing this is a better alternative for these children than them never being born to start with.
Lack Of Body Autonomy
Everything I’ve discussed so far is hideous, but this is the most frightening part for me. If abortions were to become illegal, then women no longer have the ultimate say about what happens to their own bodies. Where does that leave us? I fear it is a very, very slippery slope.
How far will the state go to enforce it? Will they jail any mother suspected of aborting her child? Or, if they believe a mother may choose to travel elsewhere for an abortion, can they arrest her and hold her in custody until the child is born?
What About Rape?
States such as Missouri want to ban all abortions except for cases where the mother’s life is in imminent danger. This includes abortions for rape victims. How utterly sick is that? I am aware that there are options like the morning after pill, but firstly many women don’t report rape immediately due to shock and trauma. They are pat the window where the drug will be effective. Secondly, it is not 100% effective.
It is beyond my comprehension how anyone could say that a woman who has been attacked and violated should have her power stripped away by making her carry her rapist’s child. It is utterly inhumane for both her and the child.
Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Around 10-15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, usually in the first trimester. Tragically, 1 in 160 babies is stillborn. Some of the cases I’ve read about and the legislation proposed seem to put the onus on the woman to prove she miscarried or that the baby died naturally.
I can’t even imagine the trauma this would cause, especially because many of these pregnancies are planned, and the baby is very much wanted.
I’m Scared
I am genuinely afraid for every single woman in America right now. I pray sanity will prevail, and Roe vs Wade will be upheld. I can’t even imagine what will happen to the world if it doesn’t.
