Day 9

We've talked about what abortion is and why it's wrong...but how do we prevent abortion?

A key part of understanding how to prevent something is to understand why it happens in the first place. Often, women turn to abortion because of financial stressors, abusive relationships/pressure from a partner, limited access to birth control/resource centers, or they are unaware of their options. Women are also more inclined to consider abortion in circumstances of rape/sexual violence or emotionally charged situations where they are unsure what to do.

Preventing abortion starts with helping women from the very beginning. We need to cultivate a society where boys are raised to be respectful, upstanding men. We need to encourage a mindset that no human being should be considered an object that solely exists for another person's use or pleasure. We need to support pregnancy resource centers and encourage equal access to acceptable birth control (condoms, IUDs, etc.). We need to more actively minister to the people around us and promote better education about options women can consider when facing an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy.

What are those options? Abortion should not be an option. It isn't an easy fix. It isn't humane. However, women who have chosen to have abortions in the past do not deserve criticism and hate. Only they truly understand why they made their decisions, and they deserve compassion and kindness as we foster a community that is open and can respectfully communicate with each other.

When facing an unwanted pregnancy, women should be presented with/educated about the following options: keeping their baby or choosing to place them for adoption. Pregnancy resource centers employ trained counselors who can help women make decisions that are best for them and their babies, providing means by which women can choose to raise their children or connecting them with resources that will help them place their baby into a safe, secure adoptive family.

We need to be more compassionate and open about how we communicate with each other. This is an issue that directly impacts the lives of people now and in for generations to come. The first step that we all need to take is creating a space for safe discussion. We need to be compassionate. We need to set higher standards for our children and educate them about resources they can turn to when they are faced with compromising, frightening circumstances. We need to provide equal access to appropriate birth control through approved sources that truly have women's best interests at heart. We need to talk more about options and adoption agencies that encourage family relationships.

So, what can you do? Share your adoption stories. Voice your opinions and make your constructive ideas heard. Advocate the equal distribution of and access to appropriate forms of birth control at schools, universities, and community centers. Think before you make choices that could lead to pregnancy. Show support and solidarity for women who are victims of rape and sexual violence. You have a voice, a mind, and an opinion, so use it to make the world a better place for all members of the human family.

That is what it will take to start preventing abortion.