The op-ed published in the newspaper warrants a response, which is exactly what our Women’s Lit class aims to do.

Approximately 12 million girls between the ages of 15 and 19 and at least 777,000 girls under 15 give birth each year. Adolescent pregnancy poses significantly high health risks and complications. This is the leading cause of death for girls (W.H.O.). “In 1973, the risk of dying from abortion was 3.4 deaths per 100,000 legal abortions. This rate fell to 1.3 by 1977. (after the establishment of Roe v. Wade)” (Planned Parenthood). “Pro-Life” is generally centered around this idea of “Pro-Birth”, given that there are still children who struggle in their situations after birth. “Abortions have been documented as early as 1550 BC (Potts, Malcolm), but the ‘Pro-Life’ stance is relatively new in history. “Abortion was only recently outlawed, and then only for a period of roughly 100 years. When women did not have legal access to abortion services they still found ways (albeit often unsafe ways) to end unwanted pregnancies” (Peterson, Origins).

Most abortions are performed at or before 13 weeks of gestation. This fetus is not conscious (CDC). According to Neurology Today, “a fetus is not capable of experiencing pain until 28 to 30 weeks after conception.” Abortions performed after 13 weeks have serious health risks. Individuals may look at this fetus and immediately think “innocent,” “needs to be protected,” “doesn’t deserve to die.” Yet, these same people will look at a pregnant 13-year-old and think “irresponsible” or worse.

One of the main points in the piece published was that the pro-life movement is progressive. Progressivism is defined as “a social or political movement that aims to represent the interests of ordinary people through political change and support of government actions.” When you are talking about people, you are not just talking about men and the change and support of government actions remain unchanged. “Pro-Choice” is not “Pro-Abortion,” it’s just giving a person’s right to choose. If you consider yourself to be “Pro-Life” make sure you donate to mental health facilities, foster care, give to charity, or do something to help those that are living.

Lastly, the main point of this letter is to address how abortion is a human rights issue. Having the right to choose, the right to your body are all basic human rights that should be applied to everyone. If someone is completely against abortion, they don’t have to get one. No one should be able to control what another person does with their body. After all, the womb was the woman’s first, not the fetus’s.

Respectfully,

The 3rd period Women’s Lit Class.