Don't take away our freedom

By: Scarlett Shelley

Abortion is a medical or surgical procedure performed to deliberately end a pregnancy. Some women do not desire to conceive a child, and if they were to get pregnant, an abortion would ensure that they had control over their own futures. Unfortunately, some people want to take away that freedom. Some people want to take away my freedom. On September 1st, 2021, some of that freedom was taken away. ​

Planned Parenthood reported that in Texas, when a fetal heartbeat of an unborn child is detected, abortion becomes illegal. That heartbeat is usually detected six weeks into a woman's pregnancy. At that point, some women don’t even know they are pregnant, and their opportunity for abortion is taken away. In October of 2021, a Texas college student had to face this new restriction. Madi was only 21 years old when she found out she was ten weeks pregnant. Almost immediately, she decided she wanted an abortion; however, because of the new abortion law in Texas, she was unable to. Madi had to travel out of state lines just to execute a woman's right. She traveled to Mississippi, 400 miles away, for the nearest appointment. In an interview with ABCNews, Madi said, “There aren't any laws on the books in any state regulating men’s bodies. It's sexist, it's unequal and it’s wrong… my body is not their property.” Like hundreds of women in Texas, Madi’s freedom was taken away. Don’t take away our freedom. 

Numerous people who are against abortion believe it is harmful to both the woman getting the procedure and the fetus. Although that was the case countless years ago, luckily it no longer is. With the use of modern medicine, the woman can remain safe and healthy during this procedure. Furthermore, Britannica writes, “Fetuses are incapable of feeling pain when most abortions are performed.” Don’t take away our freedom. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, about 32,101 pregnancies result from rape each year. Women are left as victims of these horrible acts. In some cases, they are left with a child that they have to raise alone. With abortion, we can stop that. With abortion, women don’t have to raise a child alone. With abortion, we can help those victims. Don’t take away our freedom. 
    Some have theorized that adoption is the answer to dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, but it’s not. Adoption is the answer to not wanting to be a mother; abortion is the answer to not wanting to be pregnant. AdoptUSKids stated, “Of the 400,000 children in foster care, approximately 117,000 are waiting to be adopted.” There is no reason to put more children into the system. If abortions are taken away, more children will be left alone, not knowing who their biological parents are. Don’t take away our freedom. 

Furthermore, as a woman in today's society, this ongoing debate affects me and my gender. If someone I know, or I, were put in a situation where she didn’t want to be pregnant, I would like the option of abortion to be available. Other people can’t make those decisions for me. Don’t take away our freedom. 

​Some may feel no one is pro-abortion, but I am. I am pro-choice and believe that women should be able to control their bodies the way they want to. My body, my choice. Take a stand. Don’t let officials rip the right to abortion away from women all across the country and the world. Don’t take away our freedom.