When Does Responsibility Come Into Play?

Contrary to popular belief, the choice to get an abortion is one made out of responsibility, not irresponsibility. 

First, let us define responsibility:

• the state of being the person who caused something to happen

Other than in cases of rape, people are responsible for having sex. No one is denying this. However, consent to sex is not consent to pregnancy. Considering you can revoke consent to sex at any point before or during the act, you can do the same with pregnancy.

• a duty or task that you are required or expected to do

What’s the duty or task of a person who finds themselves with an unwanted pregnancy? Above all else, a pregnant person must take care of themselves.  Whether they continue the pregnancy or not, that’s what everyone tells a pregnant person: “Take care of yourself.”

If the best choice for doing so is abortion, than that is a responsible choice.

• something that you should do because it is morally right, legally required, etc.

What’s morally wrong about abortion? “It kills a life!” We kill bacteria and animals. Oh, it has to be a human life? Well, good thing we don’t support wars or the death penalty. …wait.

Morals are not universal; they change from person to person and situation to situation. What we should be concerned about it our responsibility to take care of ourselves.

We, first, need to take care of our physical, mental, and emotional health to be happy and healthy.  If that means needing or wanting an abortion, then so be it.  It is not selfish to put oneself before a non-sentient fetus incapable of feeling pain (until the third trimester, if not until birth.)  Individuals know their limits and their situations the best, not a stranger on the sidewalk or online.

Why do pro-life proponents find abortion irresponsible?

Abortion is irresponsible to pro-lifers, because it doesn’t take care of the non-sentient fetus.  When someone equates abortion to irresponsible, they believe: “The fetus’s mere existence matters more than the pregnant person’s needs or wants.  Taking care of the fetus is paramount, whereas taking care of the pregnant person is simply necessary for the fetus to live.”

Maybe they don’t think that, in so many words, but that’s essentially what it comes down to.

If all the available options are taking responsibility, what’s an irresponsible action? 

When the pregnant person knows they’re pregnant and does nothing about it.  They may have their reasons, but to carry a pregnancy – and even give birth – in secret puts themselves at major risk.  Complications could arise any time during the pregnancy, during labor or after labor.  Further, if they abandon the newborn somewhere unfit, it will suffer, unlike a fetus. (Note: There are fit places to surrender an unwanted newborn and if anyone reading this finds themselves in a situation where they must abandon a newborn, it’s urged to do so somewhere fit, like at a hospital.)

Not taking care of oneself and reckless abandon of a newborn are irresponsible choices in the face of an unwanted pregnancy.

Abortion is responsible.  

Let’s Talk About: Emily Letts

In a recent Cosmopolitan article, Emily Letts talks about why she filmed her abortion.  This has, of course, enraged many pro-life news outlets and pro-lifers.

Miss Letts was an actress, who had body image issues and felt like she was in a constant competition.  She got involved in doula work through a friend.   That’s where she found out there were three types of doulas: birth, adoption, and abortion.  Letts found a way that would allow her to help her fellow person – through abortion counseling – after spending so much time competing with them as an actress.

• “But she wasn’t on birth control!”

Letts admits it was irresponsible to shirk birth control.  However, birth control does manipulate hormones.  It can affect emotions, which is off-putting for someone with depression, and it can cause weight gain, which is off-putting for people with body image issues.  In the end, it’s still her body.

• “She didn’t have to post it!  It could be harmful to many people!”

This is encouraging silence in the area of abortion experience.  This is a way to perpetuate abortion stigma.  If people are too ashamed to even talk about it, too guilty to share that not everyone feels regret or that abortion isn’t a vile thing to do, then abortion remains this dirty little thing done in secret.  Emily Letts wanted her abortion, as personal as it was, on display for the people who needed support.

If someone is triggered by abortion, Emily Letts labeled it accordingly.  After all, people who are triggered simply ask that the content that could trigger people is noted.  Emily Letts titled it “Emily’s Abortion Video.”  People triggered by abortion can thus avoid it.

• “She giggled and considered herself lucky throughout the whole video!  She even hummed during the abortion!”

Yes, there’s no such thing as nervous giggles.  There’s no such thing as a stigma against abortion, which makes it difficult to talk to anyone about it! [/sarcasm]

Unless you fail at reading body language, you should realize Emily Letts facial expressions tell a whole story, in and of themselves.  It was a sad decision for her, but the right one.  The humming was a method to keep from concentrating on the discomfort in dilation.  It’s a technique – like breathing – taught to people preparing to give birth; given Letts’s background in doula training, I’m pretty sure we can tell where she got this from.

Emily considered herself lucky, because she had support.  She knew the nurses and doctor in the room.  She was happy with her decision, even if it was hard, and she was supported in her decision.  That support is what she was thankful for, the ability to get an abortion so easily is what she was thankful for, the fact the experience was positive for her was what she was thankful for.

In the end: 

Emily Letts is a person who is genuinely amazed by birth and the way the body can handle create a new being.  Her pregnancy happened at a bad time, so she had to terminate, which was what was best for her (and that’s all that matters.)  Despite the backlash she was bound to get, she chose what she felt was the most responsible, and best, choice for her and shared it with the world.

If, or when, Emily Letts has children, she will be a great mother.

 

And to anyone who threatens or wishes harm on Miss Letts: You exemplify everything wrong with the pro-life movement.  Pro-life means finding all life worth saving, and here you are threatening (or wishes) bodily harm against a sentient person.  You’re disgusting.