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.