Why Is It So Crucial to Allow Women to Choose?
If you’re confounded by the recent laws in Texas that evade the constitutional protections for women provided by Roe v. Wade, you’re not alone.
Regardless of your political views, you might be wondering about the implications of the new law: and rightly so. Let’s talk about why this is such an important discussion.
Need a briefing?
In short, the new Texas law allows any civilian to sue any other civilian for either seeking an abortion, providing the procedure, or aiding in the process (like an unknowing rideshare driver). It essentially establishes a system where people who disagree with a woman’s right to choose whether or not having a baby is a good decision for her well-being and overall health can take legal action against that individual in civil court. Whether they have any personal connection to this woman or not.
Why is this a problem? Here’s what everyone should know.
Not Everyone Can Afford to Have a Baby
Let’s be real. Caring for a child is astoundingly expensive. Particularly if breastfeeding isn’t an option and you’re obligated to purchase formula to feed an infant. Diapers are insanely pricey, as are most essential baby products.
Now more than ever, people of the typical “baby-making” age group can’t even afford to move out of their parent's homes and feed themselves in the current economic climate, let alone take on the financial responsibility of caring for a baby.
Additionally, not everyone has the priviledge of living near relatives who are willing, capable, and available to care for a child while a woman goes to work. Often, childcare costs more than the hourly rate of the most essential workers, rendering it utterly impossible to provide for basic needs like food and rent.
The decision to have a baby shouldn’t depend on economic privilege. And telling a woman she should simply offer a child for adoption because she can’t afford to care for them financially is probably one of the most heartbreaking things you could tell her to do. Particularly if you’ve ever had the indescribable experience of gazing upon your newborn child’s face.
Circumstances Matter
The most devastating aspect of the recent Texas anti-abortion law is that it forbids a woman from receiving an abortion after 6 weeks of pregnancy. Liberal or conservative, everyone is aware that it’s a rare event if you’re even aware of pregnancy before then.
Plus, that strict time frame doesn’t allow an individual to truly consider their options and determine the right course of action for themselves. This could lead to them seeking out unsafe and ultimately life-threatening procedures performed illegally or clandestinely by potentially unqualified providers.
It’s important to value the life of a woman just as much as an unborn fetus. So taking circumstances into consideration is essential.
For example, perhaps the person in need of an abortion is a teenager or very young adult for whom premature motherhood would rob them of a complete education or the opportunity to fulfill their potential. To grow up and be able to make a responsible decision to become a mother if and when she wants to. To experience life and explore the world just as every human being deserves to.
If You Hate Paying Taxes, You Should Rethink Your Stance
Ironically, most anti-abortion advocates also oppose paying higher taxes for social programs like food stamps and healthcare for low-income families.
But taxes will be much higher if the nation experiences a spike in unplanned births that require women and their families to rely upon government assistance to properly care for their children.
This is true even for women and their partners who earn middle-class wages. The costs include (but are not limited to) diapers, baby products and furniture, food, healthcare, childcare, a larger living space, education expenses, cleaning supplies, clothes, and toys.
This Law Doesn’t Hold Fathers Equally Accountable
It’s unfortunate that the new Texas law holds mothers exclusively accountable for a situation that requires two people to create. It’s basic biology that it takes sperm to fertilize an egg, and if the intercourse leading to pregnancy is consensual, it seems exquisitely bizarre that there would not be some accountability for men in this bill.
And it does not hold any man socially responsible for the creation of a baby regardless of the circumstances. Even if he does pay child support, that amounts to a small percentage of his income. For many women, they don’t receive nearly enough to support a child: particularly from fathers who earn a minimum or low wage.
A baby can significantly hinder a woman’s ability to succeed, grow, and guide the course of her own human life just as the men of Texas are free to do, whether they impregnate a woman or not. It’s a transparent mechanism of control.
Or, a live-in partner can be emotionally and psychologically abusive, forcing a mother into taking on an overwhelming amount of the household and childcare responsibilities while (perhaps) also working.
The Takeaway
Yes, I’m a mother who accidentally became pregnant and, despite the immense challenges facing me, I’ve managed to care for my daughter despite grim odds.
But not everyone is so lucky.
Between my husband and I, we have been able to care for ourselves and our daughter with our dual incomes.
However, I frequently wonder how families who have much less than we do and are raising multiple children get through the day. How they have survived this year, any year.
So to tell a woman under any circumstances that she has no right to decide whether or not to have a baby breaks my heart. I think of the children across the world and this country who experience fear, thirst, starvation, lack of healthcare and education services, or worse on a daily basis.
