I assume that all U.S. citizens who read this Musing are already firmly committed to their voting decision, as I am. Nonetheless, people’s choices intrigue me. One of the least understandable aspects of this election in my mind is the number of women for whom, in an era that overflows with consequential concerns, abortion is the sole deciding factor.
Very few women fall into the extreme camp that argues for partial birth abortion and very few agree with those who proudly proclaim that they will get pregnant for the sole purpose of aborting a baby as a principled expression of their beliefs. Yet, many women including those who state that they personally would never get an abortion, find this issue so compelling that it overrides all others.
While I disagree with these women’s conclusions, I think it is worth the struggle to understand them if only because one can make a plausible argument that the political and cultural landscape of the United States would be entirely different were abortion not an issue. Of course, one could similarly argue that the political and cultural landscape of the United States in the 1800s would have been entirely different had slavery not been an issue. Slavery was the issue of the 1800s and, for numerous women, abortion is the issue today.
Let’s carry that analogy further for one minute to see how both sides of the debate prefer to view themselves as the good guys, as the inheritors of the anti-slavery badge. While only a minute number of abortions are due to pregnancies that result from rape, the image of a woman physically assaulted (equivalent to enslaved) and forced to bear the child of a hated one, as happened to so many female slaves, was a compelling image when Roe v. Wade was being decided.
The pro-life side, on the other hand, sees abortion as the powerful, dominant person holding in their hands the life of one who cannot defend his or her own body. In this case, the baby who, although they have a singular DNA and are a unique being, is completely dependent on the good will of another, much as a slave was.
If the issue is so fraught with emotion, why is it that one side seems more open to discussion than the other? For instance, many on the pro-life side are open to allowing abortions in the case of rape and other extreme circumstances, even though they personally may feel it is wrong. Why is it that more of those who support abortion don’t take an adamant and open stand against the dismemberment of babies who are capable of surviving in full health if delivered rather than destroyed, even if the actuality horrifies them?
I used the words ‘struggle to understand’ above, because I truly do find it a struggle. The images presented at the time of Roe v. Wade, of rape victims, of women self-aborting with a coat hanger, of teen girls being kicked out on the street by their families with nowhere to go, have little to do with the reality of abortion today. They inadvertently helped pave the way for a pervasive feeling by both men and women today that “I” am the most important person in the world and that nobody should get in the way of me doing what I want when I want it.
There is a lot of fearmongering on the Left. Women will not be able to get treated after a miscarriage or if they suffer an ectopic pregnancy. Doctors will be punished for taking the health of their patient seriously if a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life. While I cannot guarantee that stupid and poorly written laws won’t be promoted and even passed, I can safely say that an overwhelming number of pro-life women would join in calls for those laws to be re-written. I have trouble understanding why pro-abortion women are not equally as strident in protesting state laws that allow partial birth and late-term abortion.
My conclusion, recognizing that a short Musing in no way covers an enormous topic, is that rational thought has long left the abortion conversation. Opinions on this topic are more akin to doctrine than a thoughtful decision. Perhaps abortion has become the flag of the armies of the Left and the ‘enemy’ can never be allowed to seize even a corner fragment of the sacred banner.
I am aware of the inadequacy of this Musing. A quick search revealed that I have written more than a dozen Musings referencing or focusing on abortion. Consider this one further small piece in a puzzle.
What do you think? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this Susan’s Musings post.
We Happy Warrior members can both read and write comments HERE.
Not a member yet? Susan’s Musings is a reader-supported publication.
We truly appreciate those of you who sign up for a Basic membership. This lets us know we are providing value to you.
