Does the right to have an abortion deal with the right to choose a life path or does it deal with murder? This is a misconception that Theresa Brown discusses in her article about an experience she had as a nurse ending an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is where the egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the Fallopian tubes, which because they can’t stretch, will result in a rupture causing blood loss and infection. This type of pregnancy is dangerous to the mother and an abortion can save her life. Brown argues that a fetus is completely dependent on a mother, and that the responsibility to bring new life into the world is immense, and in this case, could cost a mother her life. The mother is not just the host to a fetus, it is its creator and provider making their lives morally connected. That being said, the responsibility of bearing a child gets little to no attention in the pro-life argument. Pro-life supporters want to take away a woman’s right to choose, but provide little to no campaigns focusing on free pre-natal care, paid maternity leave, or affordable day care, which are all burdens a mother must bear when having a child. Pro-life proponents insist that a mother proceed with a pregnancy, but offer no support in the process making the cost of having a child a personal one. Bringing a child into the world is much more than simply carrying it for 9 months and if it is a personal cost, why should it be a public decision? Even if a woman chooses to give their baby up for adoption, an option pro-life advocates favor in lieu of abortion, there is still an immense financial burden, as well as physical and emotional implications. A fetus is a part of a woman physically and emotionally, without the woman, there is no pregnancy.
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March 2, 2017 at 7:24 pm
This is a very interesting topic, and I think you very eloquently detail a “pro-choice” argument. One thing I would consider looking at though is being careful not to make overarching claims such as “Pro-life proponents insist that a mother proceed with a pregnancy, but offer no support in the process making the cost of having a child a personal one.” Saying that no support is offered from pro-life proponents draws a wide claim that may not apply to all pro-life proponents, and makes it seem as if the other side of the controversy may not be as valid. Everything you said makes good sense, and I like how you bring up pro-choice arguments that I never would have thought of- just make sure that you reference that there is another valid argument for pro-life, or least that it is not a black-and-white issue.
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March 2, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Thank you for your critique! I do worry about showing just one side of the argument and definitely need to maintain awareness as I post. I think I could have reworded it to say something along the lines of, “As of today, there are no government mandated programs that offer support to mothers in unwanted pregnancies.” It is definitely an issue of gray area and as I develop my posts I will do my best to make that clear.
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