Many people are not properly informed of the pro-choice standpoint.  First and foremost: Pro-choice is not pro-abortion.  Pro-choice is working for affordable health care and available birth control for women. The pro-choice standpoint views abortion as the last option in a difficult situation. A government run by men should not be the authoritative figure in a woman’s personal choice.

I find it very disturbing that the McCain-Palin ticket not only wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade, but make it illegal for victims of rape and incest to have an abortion in the event of a pregnancy. Not only is the emotional burden significant, but the financial burden in health care for the child of an incestuous conception.

Adoption has been hailed as the cure-all for unwanted pregnancies. There are many advertisements stating that “thousands of couples” are waiting to adopt. If this is true, then why are there over 100,000 children waiting to be adopted in foster homes across the country? Because they’re the children no one wants. When couples are looking to adopt a child, chances are they want a healthy, white infant. These couples aren’t clamoring over the four-year-old minority child who has ADHD or autism.

If Roe vs. Wade is overturned abortions will continue. Instead of being in the safety of a clinic with a trained medical staff, women will return to the bathroom with their coat hangers and perform the abortion themselves. Abortion is the symptom of a larger problem: Inadequate health care and information. Conservatives are very good at pointing out problems but fail to seek out their source and solve it from a ground level. Until our government comes up with more affordable health care and a comprehensive sexuality education, abortion needs to be available for those who choose it.

Bridget Schutz
Senior
Psychology