Posts Tagged ‘Trust Women’

I am pro-choice because there is no decision more profound than deciding to bring a child into this world.

I trust a woman to know when she is prepared to love, support and care for a child. I trust the more than 60% of women who have abortions who are already mothers and know well the all consuming love and responsibility involved.

I trust young women who know their life and their future has meaning beyond giving birth as a teenager. I trust these young women to know that one day they will make a fabulous, loving parent but not today.

I trust women whose birth control has failed to know they did not desire to be pregnant. I trust women who failed to use birth control to know that bringing a child into the world should never be punishment for a mistake.

I trust women who decide that they are ready to love, nurture and care for a child with all of their heart, energy and passion.

I trust women.

The Onion recently did a parody of anti-choice bills disguised as bills to help inform women.  The faux AR bill in the Onion piece would require a woman to name her fetus and clear out and paint a nursery.  All this in the name of “supporting women through the process.”

New Law Requires Women To Name Baby, Paint Nursery Before Getting Abortion

“Common sense tells us that viewing an ultrasound, naming the fetus, and painting the nursery gives women the information they need to make sure they’re making the right decision.” - The Onion reporter

“All of these are common-sense measures aimed at protecting the women and children of North Carolina from the physical, emotional and psychological harm associated with abortion and promoting a culture of life.” - NC Family Policy Council in reference to waiting periods and informed consent.

The sad fact is that 24 states actually do require a waiting period for women to access abortion care. Most of these require a 24 hour waiting period between the mandatory counseling and the abortion procedure. This is especially hard when women have traveled a long distance to access the counseling and the care.  Then they must incur additional expenses to stay overnight in the area or travel back and forth.

What does a mandatory waiting period say? It certainly does not acknowledge the fact that women know what is best for them and their families. It doesn’t appreciate the fact that women, from the moment they realize they are pregnant, are determining the best choice they can make in that situation.

You know what it does say, it says “We don’t trust Women.”  Who is the we?  Lawmakers in 24 states and so called pro-life advocates like the NC Family Policy Council who insist on putting roadblocks between women and the medical care they seek.

Planned Parenthood trusts women.  We believe a woman facing an unintended pregnancy deserves compassionate care, the full support of her doctor, family, and friends, and access to information to assist her in making her decision.  We believe that woman knows her circumstances better than anyone else and is the person most equipped to make a decision about her future.  WE TRUST WOMEN.