Pro-Choice: Why It's Not About Abortion | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Pro-Choice: Why It's Not About Abortion

It's about women around the world having the freedom to do what they choose with their bodies

21
Pro-Choice: Why It's Not About Abortion

Ever since I was introduced to the world of sex and reproduction, I have heard and seen countless debates between "pro-life" and "pro-choice" supporters. Over the last year or so it has become more of a highlighted issue, much to 2016's rollercoaster Presidential Election. Here are my own personal thoughts, as well research I have dug up, on the pro-choice movement and its opposers, and why I believe it is the best option for every woman out there.

For starters, pro-choice is not synonymous with "pro-abortion"--rather, the pro-choice movement defends and upholds the rights of women to choose what is best for them in their reproduction, as well as working towards the prevention of unwanted pregnancies by promoting contraception, reducing the need for abortions, educating women, and ensuring that families have the means necessary to raise happy and healthy children.

Although the pro-choice movement does not directly mean pro-abortion, it has been labeled as such for many years. Essentially, identifying as pro-choice means that whatever a woman decides to do with her body is no one's "choice" or "decision" but her own. Whether she uses birth control or not, plans to have an abortion or not, engages in sexual intercourse or not, it is solely her body and her decision(s) to make. In a nutshell, it is the belief in a woman's right to choose.

Ultimately, sex is not just for those who want to reproduce. There is a reason it feels good, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with engaging in sex for pleasure. Those who are anti-choice however, oppose even the slightest mention of contraception and sex education, as well as supporting the act of forced motherhood when a woman unintentionally becomes pregnant. This here, is where the problems lie. Forced motherhood is cruel, as raising a child should never, ever be a punishment for engaging in sex.

I as a young woman who has been on contraception for a few years now, am highly appreciative of places like Planned Parenthood, who not only provide services for those who are low income, but services to young women like myself who want to be proactive in their reproductive health.

I know plenty of people who would never opt for an abortion, but still uphold the belief that a woman can choose what is best for her. Being pro-choice does not have to mean that abortion is an option for you, only that it is an option for others.

I am pro-choice, because I support the lives and reproductive health of women all around the world. I encourage you to support them, too.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1853
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1183
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 20 Thoughts College Students Have During Finals

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

352
winter

Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1767
group of people sitting on bench near trees duting daytime

I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments