The decision to have an abortion is definitely one of the most daunting thoughts for women. I strongly believe that this is one of the hardest things for a woman or couple to go through at any point in their lives. I also believe that no matter what decision is made, it must be made surrounded by support and found within oneself. Muscio went through 3 abortions in a very small period of time. She was nineteen when she found out she was pregnant for the first time and immediately got the procedure. With just her boyfriend along side and not knowing what was coming, she went through with an overwhelmingly painful abortion. Come the third abortion, she seeked other help. As I said earlier, the decision to get an abortion must come from within--"Power Within"--However Muscio started getting help from friends and close ones...sure enough with a "core of supportive women surrounding [her] and with [her] mind made up, [she] was pretty much invincible"(116). Much similar to what Allison Crews speaks of in "And So I Chose". After living a childhood surrounded upon pro-life feminists and protests, she witnesses a young girl get an abortion. And once she looked at the frightened girl, she was scarred. "The pain I saw on her face was unmistakable"(144). Again, very similar to the frightened young Muscio when she got her first abortion. The difference being, Muscio was actually felt comforted and supported by a close group of women who helped her through her third one. This poor girl, had nothing of the sort...being told awful things from protesters more than three times her age. Crews knows she should have "had a right to feel protected, a right to feel safe. She had the right to make a choice for herself and her future without being harassed and intimidated"(145). What bothers me is the crowd harassing the young girl for making a decision that she made for herself. it should have to bother anyone else, and no one should judge her on that.
Having support at a time of tremendous pressure, is always an appreciated thing. Judith Arcana seems to agree. She says we can't speak of abortions "in the atmosphere of guilt and shame created by the spiritual and emotional terrorism of the contemporary anti-abortion movement"(227). She also knows that it must be spoken of in open recognition. So I guess I'm agreeing with all the authors from tonight's readings considering they all strongly believe that abortion is an individual's choice and that if it is made surrounded by a good support system, it can be made much easier.
Abortions can be a very touchy topic to talk about. This is one of the most daunting decisions that a woman can make. Especially when there is so many people for and so many against the procedure. I agree with these authors and feel that women should be able to make their own decisions about this topic. Every woman should be able to go into an abortion and feel safe about their decision. She shouldn't have to feel judged.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with both Courtney and Erica about the difficult nature of getting an abortion. I think that whatever decision the mother makes is because she feels as though that is the right decision. Although some people are so against getting an abortion, we have to remember that everyone's place in life is different. Like in the Listen Up reading where she said she had seen someone as young as eleven years old get an abortion. Clearly an eleven year old girl is in a much different place in her life than say even a nineteen year old girl who chooses to have a child. It has to be up to the women about whether they feel as though they are prepared to have a child, if not I personally feel as though these women who battle with the tough decision to get an abortion are being responsible. It has to be up to the women, and I would one hundred percent agree with the fact that since it is such an emotionally taxing experience, they need the support of the people who love them while going through it and especially after the procedure.
ReplyDeleteCourtney really brings up some good points that I brought also in my blog post. The fact the people actually go to abortion clinics to picket is crazy to me. Really you have nothing better to do. Plus do they really think that these women made this choice lightly, they obviously wish it didn't have to be that way. And for these people to judge them, I agree with courtney, they have no right, they don't know these girls or their situation. I also agree with the above when it comes to abortions and talking to close family and friends. These things can't be done alone or else it can cause serious emotional effects, people considering abortion should lean on the shoulder of a loved one.
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