The Myth of Reproductive Freedom

Advocates of abortion do not believe that they advocate killing babies. Most of them actually believe that they are striving for "reproductive freedom" for women. In the last pre-election cycle, a brief editorial advocated the vote for a specific candidate because that candidate was the "only one who will protect reproductive freedom."

What is freedom, as understood morally and by the US Constitution? Many modern Americans mistakenly believe that freedom means the ability to do whatever we want. However, such a definition will not stand up to scrutiny. Certainly our founding fathers did not envision a land without law or restriction. Indeed, much of the political energy expended after the Revolutionary War was in attempt to balance freedom with social order. Nobody would argue that rapists are deprived of their freedom by laws of sexual consent. Few people would argue that suicide should become an accepted practice among American teenagers (there are those who would put harm to others as the only limitation on freedom). The founding fathers understood freedom as the abiliy to maximize one's human potential. This understanding of freedom comes from enlightenment philosophy, but the Enlightenment got it from Catholic moral philosophy. Catholics would add another level, the ability to attain the greatest good, union with God.

Does abortion allow for the attainment of the greatest good, even on a human level? I recognize that a pregnancy before a young woman is ready to raise a family can seem to impede the fulfillment of her human potential. However, avoiding pregnancy and abortion are not necessarily the same option. Sexual restraint actually maximizes a person's human potential. It requires the use of the human faculties. It offers a chance to forge truly loving, life-giving relationships.

Does abortion empower women? Ellen Goodman definitely belives it does. I have to give Ms. Goodman credit where credit is due. In her article, "Taking 'choice' out of Pro-Choice ," she offers a good attempt at a logical, consistent ethic regarding her pro-choice position. She berates the idea of forcing someone to have an abortion - reminding her readers that pro-choice means just that, ensuring that woman have the choice whether or not to have an abortion. That may sometimes mean that they choose not abort. Ms. Goodman's error is to choose to comment on an extreme case (unfortuantely the same mistake made by pro-life advocates such as Cheryl Sullenger from Operation Rescue). She then uses this exreme case to argue against parental notification laws. What if the parents want the abortion, she asks? Would anti-abortion advocates still want parents to have say over their children? Her very question reveals the error of the "reproductive freedom" argument. I don't have to argue from extremes to prove it, either.

Let me offer you an anecdote. A good friend of mine - a former girlfriend, actually - had a one-night stand and got pregnant. She informed the child's father and asked him only for a little help. He told her, "I'll give you money for an abortion. If you don't want an abortion, you're on your own." I ask you - who did abortion empower in this case?

When pro-life advocates talk about women being forced into abortion, we don't have to focus on the extreme cases of "sobbing women dragged into abortion clinics by the neck and hair." Women are forced to have abortions in many more subtle ways. Women are forced to have abortions because their boyfriends offer no other options. Women are forced to get abortions because their parents have sent the message that sexual misconduct would result in being disowned. Women are forced into abortion by a culture that assumes that not having an abortion is foolhardy. No, women don't have the "choice" that Ms. Goodman advocates for them.

That's exactly why the pro-life position is actually more pro-choice than the pro-abortion position. Law is designed to establish a minimal level of morality. Oops - does that word offend you, Ms. Goodman? Let me rephrase. The purpose of law is to establish a level of protection within a society against those who would exploit us or who would have disregard for our safety and our rights in their quest for pleasure.

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