Abortion: Things You Haven't Considered (The Abortion Debate, Part II)

I’ve read a lot of pro-choice and anti-choice blogs here on ProgressiveU. Some of them are well-thought and take a look at many different factors, while others cite only religious or “deal with the consequences” type arguments (I’m sure half of the latter have sex themselves, but that’s another rant) with no logical supporting ideas. We've all heard the big arguments a million times- killing vs. not killing, science, religion, and the adoption alternative, but hardly anyone considers the main issues that affect the mother during the pregnancy. I would like to mention some things about being pregnant that many people who have never had a child fail to consider, and that partially influence my views on the topic. I appreciate any feedback or thoughts you would like to share. Thanks for reading!

Terminology note: I use the term “anti-choice” as opposed to “pro-life”, because I have yet to meet a person who supports this idea that does not do at least one of the following:
1. Eat meat
2. Wear or purchase leather or fur
3. Use insect repellent or kill insects/spiders
4. Use only products that do not involve lethal animal tests
5. Support the death penalty

On with the blog.....
Not every woman who has "chosen" to create life had the choice, nor became pregnant as a result of a night of pleasure and carelessness. Some become pregnant due to failed birth control, rape, or even failed vasectomies. Even those who choose to become pregnant may not choose to become pregnant with an embryo that will have serious physical or mental defects. Caring for a disabled infant is very expensive, and oftentimes requires a full-time nanny or for one parent to stay at home with the baby. One of my fears during pregnancy was what I would do if my child had some type of health issue that required extensive care. Some other things that were focal points of my pregnancy included finances, missing work, buying maternity clothes, missing class, my health, and my appearance. Each of these had a huge impact on my life before, during, and after the pregnancy, and affect each woman differently depending on her situation.

Possibly the biggest concern with my pregnancy was money. Many people mention public assistance as an option for funding a pregnancy and supporting the mother while pregnant. In my home state, a person who makes $45,000 per year is ineligible for any type of insurance assistance. Many employers here do not offer health insurance, and purchasing health insurance is around $350 per month. A perfect example of someone who could easily fall into this situation is a restaurant worker. While tips may boost the income right into middle class status, most smaller restaurants and eateries do not offer health insurance, paid leave, or other benefits. The hospital bill for a pregnancy is around $30,000 for a very short hospital stay. It is quite possible that someone in this income bracket could not afford the hospital bill due to previous financial obligations and could not qualify for state pregnancy coverage. In this case, the person could quit their job to meet income guidelines, but would also have to sell his or her car if it were newer, sell their home if it was worth more than a certain amount, and still would be required to have less than a certain amount of cash, savings, assets, or retirement (I'm told this amount is $100, but not sure about that one). I know that if I were in that situation, I would not be willing to make those life-changing sacrifices for a non-sentient being.

The financial expenses do not end with medical bills. Nursery supplies, renting or buying a larger home, and diapers for a baby all can pose a burden even to someone recieving government assistance. While many programs may pay for rent, food, and medical bills, only few pay for diapers, wipes, or baby clothes and these programs are limited to the nonworking or very poor. A middle income family that does not qualify for assistance may have to make sacrifices such as food in order to purchase these items. Some also promote placing the child for adoption as a mandatory alternative to abortion that would eliminate some of these expenses. This is a GREAT option for some, but not for everyone. Many forget the physical and mental hardships of pregnancy: missed work for dr. appointments, weight gain, the need for a new pregnancy and post-pregnancy wardrobe, possibility of reduced income (this is common in occupations with radiation exposure or any job not covered by the FMLA) and other health risks associated with pregnancy. Adoption services will sometimes finance the hospital bill, but rarely cover the mother's clothing, missed work, child care for previous children during the mother's hospital stay, or counseling and aftercare for the biological mother. I spent at least a few hundred dollars on maternity clothes to wear during my pregnancy for a mere 2 months, only to need ANOTHER full work wardrobe after pregnancy because I had gained weight in some areas but was too small to fit into my maternity clothes. The total expense for clothing was around $600, and this was shopping at Wal Mart, thrift stores, etc. My feet grew, my proportions changed, and my boobs sagged. I had to buy everything from shirts to socks and underwear. I also had to miss work and school for doctor's appointments, and at times had to perform other jobs with reduced pay because I could not perform the higher paying work while pregnant. It was difficult to maintain a good GPA while working so many hours and missing class. To me, I had no problem with this because I wanted to be pregnant and was excited about becoming a mother even though my birth control had failed. Had I been a victim of rape or a person who can’t work 80 hours per week while taking 15 hours of college classes and still in high school, I wouldn't have done it.

One thing many anti-choice supporters never consider is the woman’s appearance afterwards. Some women do actually have careers where appearance is a must: models, actresses, performers, and even Hooters girls. If a woman in one of these fields is raped and the only option were adoption, is it right to end this person’s chosen career because of their appearance after pregnancy? Weight loss is not the only part of a woman’s appearance that changes. Stretch marks, surgery scars, and saggy breasts are all a possibility and cannot be reversed. Breast augmentation averages at about $4000, and even a tummy tuck will not hide stretch marks. Many women also enter postpartum depression due to their feelings about appearance. Some adoption agencies do not cover this expense, and I have never heard of an adoption agency funding a boob job or tummy tuck. I know appearance is a shallow thing to think about, but for some women their career depends on it.

There are other things for you to consider that you may or may not have already thought about. I've read a lot of arguments that there are sooooo many people waiting to adopt, and not enough babies to go around. There are many more children under state care in the US and worldwide than there are potential adoptive families, but the problem is that almost every adoptive parent prefers a younger child over an older one. Many say that babies are quickly adopted, but what about the mentally or physically disabled infants? I have yet to meet an anti-choice supporter that would choose to adopt a mentally or physically disabled baby over a healthy one, or over having their own (I know some people do this, but not many). There are thousands of older children who have been removed from abusive or abandoned situations waiting to be adopted that will not find homes before the age of 18 because almost every adopting parent prefers a younger child. These alert, sentient, children could possibly be adopted if less babies were in the adoption system. Should we prohibit babies from entering the adoption system? Absolutely not. I also do not think that encouraging abortion in order to solve this problem is an appropriate approach. I do feel that prohibiting abortion would create an excess number of older children waiting to be adopted because of the excessive amount of babies in the system. If you are a heavy supporter of adoption as the only alternative to abortion, have you adopted children or do you plan to adopt? If not you, then who? The number of married, high middle income couples who cannot have children due to infertility or other issues is quite low, and adoption agencies oftentimes refuse singles, unmarried straight couples, or gay couples from adopting. People who are anti-choice supporters oftentimes are against the idea of a gay or unmarried coupld adopting a child, but will never adopt children themselves. In addition, adoption fees are frequently much more expensive than a routine pregnancy. Would you consider paying for a rape victim’s pregnancy-related expenses so that she can choose adoption, and if so, have you sacrificed luxuries in your life to do so? How much would you sacrifice- your future fertility? Your appearance? Your testicles?

So, if you’re one of those who are anti-abortion in all situations, would you consider sacrificing your luxuries in order to finance these things for a pregnant mother, even if it meant replacing a 40-50K salary while the mother had to miss work? If you say yes, have you ever donated money or new items to such a service that provides mothers who choose adoption with this service, or do you choose to eat out once a week instead? Most everyone on here owns a computer, has internet service, and even a cell phone, but none of these are necessary for survival. After reading this, will the anti-choice supporter cancel these services and send the usual amount paid each month to an adoption-related charity? You may say that you didn’t choose to have sex, or that you take all the necessary precautions, but rape victims didn’t choose to have sex, and birth control is not 100% effective. Should these cases be an exception? Should there be any exceptions in your opinion?

Once again, I don’t think an abortion should be an alternative to birth control. I also like the idea of limiting most abortions to the first trimester, except in certain cases. I do not think that ANY woman should be required to have a moral obligation to sacrifice her well being, career, happiness, or even her appearance in order to support an embryo/fetus that is not yet sentient.

Thanks again for reading! If this made you think about some things you hadn’t considered before, please rate this blog.
Cheers,
LQ

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •