Letter: Abortion must remain woman's decision

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February 19, 2013

Letter: Abortion must remain woman's decision

Anonymous Gloucester Daily Times The Gloucester Daily Times Tue Feb 19, 2013, 09:29 AM EST

To the editor:

In the past few weeks, there have been many letters regarding the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

This landmark decision made abortion a private matter between a woman and her doctor. According to some, Roe v. Wade legitimized the murder of unborn babies who could have been (and should have been) carried to full term. I am writing to express my support for the other perspective: abortion should remain a private matter between a woman, her partner, and her doctor.

The other letter writers presume to know what is best for others when it comes to reproductive decisions.

Some people believe pregnant women should keep the baby and give it up for adoption. Some people focus on the sanctity of life. Some suggest that couples are choosing abortion as a convenience. Not one of the letter writers connected the importance of reliable, affordable birth control as a means to reduce unplanned pregnancy.

I hope that those who continue to undermine the reproductive rights of women and their families, would also support access to birth control. Also, please support affordable, quality childcare for their growing families.

Let’s not live in a fantasy world where men and women (even when married!) have sex merely for procreation. A healthy sex life is part of our birthright as human beings.

Let’s wake up to the reality that sometimes pregnancy is unplanned and not a miracle. Birth control fails. There are already enough mouths to feed, and one more baby is not a blessing. Let’s support the families that are already struggling to make ends meet with the children they have.

Abortion is not an easy choice for people to make. Nevertheless, abortion should remain safe, legal, and private: an issue between a woman and her partner, and her doctor.

If you’re against abortion, don’t have one. But please don’t decide what is right for me, my family, or my children’s families.

If you support reproductive rights, speak up! There are many states in the U.S. with limited or no access to abortion. I believe this issue is less about the value of the unborn, and more about the control of women’s lives.

Who should decide? For me, it’s between me, my husband, and my doctor.

HEIDI WAKEMAN

Gloucester