Unlike most teenage girls these days, I am one hundred percent pro-life. Although many of my friends have tried to make me see the light, this is one of the few beliefs I will probably never ever compromise. However, I have noticed that many pro-choicers have preconceptions that don’t apply to me at all, or a lot of other pro-lifers for that matter. Although the following statements do apply to many pro-lifers, which is how these rumors got started in the first place, they definitely do not apply to all, and if you are radically pro-choice, this article will most likely not change your views on abortion itself, but hopefully it will enable you to see its opponents in a more positive light.
Myth #1: Everyone that is pro-life is a religious fanatic.
Several religions are against the termination of pregnancies, no matter what the circumstances. Although these religions do hold life sacred, this is also to prevent meaningless sex, because a person who really does not want to get pregnant will not have sex, according to their logic. However, I do not actually belong to any of these religions; I merely believe that ending a life to benefit oneself is murder, whether that life is a person one can’t stand or one’s unborn baby. These religions also happen to be against the usage of birth control. I am not; I am actually for birth control so that young women do not get into situations where they feel compelled to get an abortion. To me, the sexual activities one chooses to perform is completely up to her, and since birth control only stops life from being created and does not actually end a preexisting life, I encourage its practice.
Myth #2: Everyone that is pro-life is a prude, or someone who cannot get any.
Not true at all. Interestingly enough, nearly all of my virgin friends are pro-choice, while most of my sexually active friends are pro-life. This may seem like an impossible paradox, or that my friends are not representative of the general population, but it makes complete sense. The pro-choicers tend to be more ambitious and organized; therefore, a young pregnancy would be terrifying and goal-shattering to them. The pro-lifers, on the other hand, are more spontaneous and adaptable, so although a pregnancy would still be hard for them, they would be able to accept it and make arrangements for the child’s care that could still work with their lives. In my opinion, in order to be ready for sex, one does not necessarily need to want kids, but one does need to be willing to understand that it is possible that she will conceive. If one is mature enough to accept that, she will not need to get an abortion.
Myth #3: Everyone that is pro-life has no concept of how hard it is to take care of a child in bad circumstances.
Most people, no matter how privileged they are, have met at least one person who became pregnant before they should have. For me, this includes my grandmother, my mother, and my aunt, who were seventeen, nineteen, and fifteen, respectively. All of them chose to keep their children, although both my grandmother and aunt were in high school at the time. Despite this, my grandmother went on to be an English teacher, and my aunt managed to get her diploma and become a top Nissan saleswoman. Now, they never became brain surgeons, but they did manage to accomplish what they needed to and still had the blessings of their wonderful children. It was definitely a struggle for them, but they managed and the experience made them stronger and more appreciative of life. So if they can do it, then why can’t others? And if one is that worried about the child’s well-being in particular environments, there is still no need to terminate the pregnancy. It’s called adoption. And for those out there that believe that it is unfair to force a young girl to carry her child for nine months only to give it away, well, she really should have thought of that before she pulled down her pants.
Myth #4: Everyone that is pro-life wants to place restrictions on the freedom of choice.
Actually, pro-lifers are very much pro-choice, when it comes to the baby’s choice. The baby may be attached to the mother’s body, but he/she is still a separate entity, with his/her own soul and DNA that is fifty percent different from the mother’s. Why should the mother speak for the baby in whether or not he/she wants to live? The baby obviously wants to live, otherwise he/she would not be growing every second, developing in preparation for living outside of the mother’s womb. If one still wants to insist that a baby cannot possibly know what is best for him/her, then it should be pointed out that the baby’s father, the other fifty percent of the genes, has no say whatsoever in the child’s welfare. In fact, in the United States, it is legal for a married woman to get an abortion without her husband’s knowledge, let alone permission. The father has to give permission for all other surgical procedures performed on an infant, so why not abortion as well? If a man is noble enough to fight for his child’s life, he can take care of him/her himself, absolving the woman of any responsibility after she gives birth other than child support. Yes, she still has to carry the baby, but again, she should have thought of that.
Myth #5: Everyone who is pro-life is just trying to get the government more involved in everything.
It has been very clear throughout history that making something illegal will not prevent it. For example, Prohibition in the 1920s only served to make alcohol more popular, and paved the way for organized crime. Even more relevant is the fact that abortions themselves used to be illegal, until the government realized how dangerous it was becoming for women to get abortions illicitly with unqualified, unsanitary surgeons. Therefore, I do not believe abortion should be outlawed, because it would change nothing. Instead, I am for promoting a greater awareness that infanticide is a morally disturbing act, and hoping that many mothers realize the value of their offspring.
Myth #6: Everyone who is pro-life lacks compassion for the poor little girls who were led astray.
I hate to say this, but those girls are not that little if they decided to fool around with their boyfriends. Also, that boyfriend is not always the bad guy in these matters. Yes, there’s pressure and all that, but girls have hormones, too. Generally speaking, they want it too. And maybe they did not think about the consequences, but that is one of the tough things about life. Decisions cannot be undone. Although one might think abortion is a solution, it traumatizes the mother more than she realizes until the act is done. There are exceptions of course, but some mothers do miss their deceased children for the rest of their lives, especially when they finally do have families. I would never wish such a thing on someone, and this trauma can be prevented by not having an abortion. In this respect, pro-lifers are actually more compassionate, trying to protect the mother’s spiritual health so that she does not have to live with the burden of regret.
Myth #7: Everyone who is pro-life is old-fashioned and unwilling to conform to modern life.
Abortion is an ancient practice, dating back to at least Old Testament times, although practiced in many different cultures. Common methods included ingesting certain herbs and sticking objects up the cervix. Although giving birth is older than self-termination, abortion is not new enough to qualify as a modern phenomenon.
Now, if you were pro-choice and did not believe any of the above statements, then props to you for not being condemnatory. If you did, I hope you now recognize your error in judgment, and maybe even consider changing your mind about the abortion issue itself. Actually, I am probably kidding myself with that one, but maybe now you will try to look at the other side of an issue before labeling the enemy.
–chelliejellie10
