Let's Shake it up a bit
Today, South Dakota governor Mike Rounds signed a bill that would make almost any abortion in that state illegal, directly opposing the Roe v. Wade decision from way back in 1973. Now me, myself, I am opposed to abortion in just about every case. In fact there are only a few reasons I can think of where abortion would be the alternate choice for anyone given that decision. With that said, I find myself feeling slightly uneasy about the events happening in South Dakota. A quote from MSN reads:
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," governor Rounds said in the statement.
I can't help but feel his words really haven't hit the true heart of the matter. I do believe unborn children need protection, but don't the BORN children of poverty and abuse who grow into unwed teenage parents also deserve some protection? Or at least a little understanding? Are these children provided with the best tools to avoid the need for an abortion decision later on? I know what you're thinking, I am starting to sound a little pro-choice here, but I can't help but think we as a society have failed the next generation. Let's scream from mountaintops about saving unborn babies while the number of children living in poverty steadily climbs every year. These kids have no shot in this life. And when I say no shot, I mean I know a few will pull themselves up by the proverbial bootstraps, but mostly that is just the stuff afterschool specials are made of. Children raised in abuse and poverty are likely to raise children in abuse and poverty.
The bill Gov. Rounds signed today bans almost every kind of abortion except in the case where the mother's health is at risk, but it leaves no room for a rape victim who becomes pregnant to salvage her mental health. I think it's probably pretty easy for Gov. Rounds, SD State grad, to look down his nose at a society, who weren't given as many opportunities as he has had, and decide which of society's members are the most "vulnerable and helpless".
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," governor Rounds said in the statement.I can't help but feel his words really haven't hit the true heart of the matter. I do believe unborn children need protection, but don't the BORN children of poverty and abuse who grow into unwed teenage parents also deserve some protection? Or at least a little understanding? Are these children provided with the best tools to avoid the need for an abortion decision later on? I know what you're thinking, I am starting to sound a little pro-choice here, but I can't help but think we as a society have failed the next generation. Let's scream from mountaintops about saving unborn babies while the number of children living in poverty steadily climbs every year. These kids have no shot in this life. And when I say no shot, I mean I know a few will pull themselves up by the proverbial bootstraps, but mostly that is just the stuff afterschool specials are made of. Children raised in abuse and poverty are likely to raise children in abuse and poverty.
The bill Gov. Rounds signed today bans almost every kind of abortion except in the case where the mother's health is at risk, but it leaves no room for a rape victim who becomes pregnant to salvage her mental health. I think it's probably pretty easy for Gov. Rounds, SD State grad, to look down his nose at a society, who weren't given as many opportunities as he has had, and decide which of society's members are the most "vulnerable and helpless".
posted by Blondie @ 8:27 PM
2 Comments:
At 9:35 AM,
Anonymous said…
now there is a touchy subject to bring up...and i could go on for hours. i can't advocate for either side... i am too on the fence. being a mother, i couldn't imagine the thought of terminating a pregnancy, but i can't say that when i was single and really scared it didn't cross my mind. i couldn't even imagine what other women who became pregnant under unfortunate circumstances would feel. granted, i don't think that it should be legal for the 14 year old girl who practices unsafe sex, let alone safe sex (because we all have seen the warnings on birth control: 99.5% effective or even the ones that read 89.9% effective)...youth of today need to grasp the concept of cause and effect a little more effeciently. but then, why would it be any different for a women in her 20's or 30's with an unwanted pregnancy? i do believe that unwed parents should be required to take classes, as well as counsiling regarding alternatives, such as adoption. i also believe that our child welfare laws need to be tightened up, and some gaps need to be filled. i had some neighbors who were 14 and 16, and between the 2 of them, they had 3 kids, their parents rented a home for them, and thier drug trafficing boyfriends stayed with them and the babies at all times. we called the cops on them several times before child services even became involved. now the babies (who are kindergarden/gradeschool aged) are living with their grandparents and address them as "mom and dad". a much better situation for those kids, but what about the kids out there that haven't had such luck? now that i am done with that ranting, i also need to say that if abortion becomes illegal, girls and women will find unsafe, unsterile and just plain BAD methods of aborting a baby...and also women who don't take that option would possibly opt to not take care of herself through the pregnancy (which opens up a world of complications for her AND the baby), and possibly not take care of the child properly after birth (leading to neglect, abuse, etc). this is where i believe family services, or child welfare need to step it up. so, although i actively embrace pro-life, outlawing abortion is an avenue i just can't forsee working for the better.
At 2:07 PM,
JRo said…
YES!!!... i don't see myself as a conservative at all...? maybe deep down i have a little in me... but i have to totally agree...handing out condoms, teaching more sex ed etc. is not a bad thing. kids will have sex with or without the proper teachings and contraceptives. myself being a prime example: we were drowning in sex ed material in the 10th grade, pictures, videos, literature etc. of STD's, pregnancy, emotional damage, blah blah blah...didn't stop me. but i think no matter what efforts are made to "control" the issue, there will still be unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and neglected/abused children. sometimes you can't fix a problem by going straight to the root...you have to back track and untangle some knots first. outlawing abortions is not going to stop kids from having sex, its not going to stop rapists from raping, etc. people will find a way to have the procedure done, safely or not...that is why i will hold strong on developing a stronger support/protection plan for unborn babies and their mothers.
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