The current debate in the health care reform about making provisions for "abortion" got me thinking about the issue of abortion. I had no idea in a progressive country like United States, a huge majority gives more importance to fetus who is yet to be born than to the life and choices of the woman who bears it for nine months and then perhaps for the rest of her life. I am definitely a pro choice person. I never remember having this conversation with anyone when I was in India. But after coming over to the US, I had this discussion with many of my friends. Quite surprisingly many of them think it's something "devilish" to go for an abortion. I know many girls who got pregnant because of failure of a contraceptive option. When some of them mentioned that, I asked them if they knew about morning after pill or getting rid of it before the medically possible time line and they looked at me as if I was committing a blasphemy. Well, many of these girls are smart and educated young women. But somehow when it comes to sex and abortion they wish to be traditional.
I of course all for individual liberty. But how can you have a child when you are not mentally and emotionally prepared for it? Being a parent is a wonderful thing and it brings huge responsibility "for life". So the decision should be taken with lot of thinking. Girls spend hours and even days to find a suitable outfit for wedding. Then why not use similar time to think about parenthood.
I strongly believe that whether to be parent or not is woman's right. Of course for a married woman it does include partner's choice too. But since it is the woman who is physically carrying the child, she should know what's out there when it comes to child birth and good child development. There has been evidence that unwanted pregnancy may not lead to healthy children, both mentally and physically. I am not suggesting that abortion is a good contraceptive measure. Of course not. But if there is no other option perhaps it is the last resort. Every woman knows whether she really is capable of having a child and it should be her decision to have an abortion or not. I believe that life is precious. Life of the children who are in foster care or just thrown on the streets is very much precious. Instead of giving births to these children who would end up in such facilities, if possible the option of abortion seems to be much more suitable. Only a healthy and happy mother can raise a healthy and happy child. So for me keeping the decision of abortion with the woman is the most sensible thing to do!
