Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
Read other letters about this article
Roe, 35 years later
Salon asked leading feminists to talk about the court case that changed their lives, and why it matters more than ever.
[2008-01-22]

  • Personally couldn't agree more

    I personally couldn't agree more with many of the sentiments expressed by the women in this article.

    I don't know if I would ever have an abortion, and probably would never have a late-term abortion, but unlike many, I respect the choices of others.

    I also see how the so called 'pro-life' movement is a contradiction of itself in their treatment of young/poor women who actually have their baby, and their opposition to safe and effective means of contraception.

    I'm pro-choice but want there to be fewer abortions. I think the best way to achieve that is to:

    * teach kids about effective safe contraception;

    * make contraception readily available and inexpensive, to all people of all ages and classes;

    * educate people about pregnancy and childcare;

    * provide economic help to single mothers, poor families, and young families so that they feel they can afford to have children;

    * stop stigmatising teenagers and poor people who 'get themselves knocked up';

    * provide free healthcare to all children under 18 and to pregnant women;

    * create a society where grandparents and other relatives are able to, and want to help care for the younger generation;

    * provide high-level free education and childcare for children from all backgrounds, especially poorer ones.

    Now, how many of the above do you see the 'pro-life' movement supporting?

    If you want to stop so many abortions, women need to be able to feel that they will be able to care for their children, or that it will be the right time. They also need to have access to contraception so they don't get pregnant in the first place.

    All I see is the right-wing trying to chip away at these ideas (free healthcare, help for the poor, access/education about contraception), which leads me to believe that they don't actually give a damn about stopping the 'foetal genocide', and rather care more about restricting women's rights.

    -- Rowyna
    [Read Rowyna's other letters]
    Tuesday, January 22, 2008 01:59 PM
Read other letters about this article

Letters Help