Abortion is Not a Problem. It’s a Solution.

Abortion is a solution. It is a terrible solution. An intrinsically evil solution. It is, by definition, artificially ending the life in the womb. It is a solution nonetheless. I consider myself pro-life, but I get frustrated with my compatriots when they don’t acknowledge an abortion as a solution. If we see it as the problem, then we ignore the actual problem: a person who is pregnant that doesn’t want to be pregnant.

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2271

Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law

There is two separate conversations occurring between pro-choice and pro-life people. The cause of disconnect is based on which assumption a person assumes in the debate: is the person pregnant or not pregnant. Pro-life side assumes that the person is not pregnant. There is no urgency and the person desiring an abortion has full autonomy of their action. Pro-choice side assumes that the person is pregnant. The person is considering the abortion in a place of desperation, urgency, fear, injustice, or inadequacy. Pro-choice sees it an injustice to force upon a pregnant person the trials of pregnancy without the impregnated person’s consent. Pro-life sees consent to being pregnant given during sexual activity. There can be no progress made in the debate if we are having two separate conversations.

If someone does get pregnant “accidentally,” then critical decisions need to be made in a short period of time. The decision to raise a child is best made after a discernment process and in the context of the sacrament of marriage. This period of discernment is a luxury that is not available for those who are contemplating getting an abortion. The problem is the baby is growing with or without the pregnant person’s consent. Imagine a world where only the people that wanted to be pregnant got pregnant. There would be no abortions, no IVF, no miscarriages, and no couples struggling with conceiving. In this imperfect world, we are forced to make decisions that we would not otherwise make in ideal circumstances.

As a male, I can only imagine the fears and anxieties that come with being pregnant. The change of your body image, the nauseousness, the unwanted body fluids, the social pressures, the judgement of unplanned pregnancy, the wardrobe difficulties, the financial costs, logistics, insurance, the awkward hospital visits, the support structure or lack thereof, and the relationship with the father. After nine months of pregnancy, then you have to take care of a baby, be a mother, rearrange your life around the child, and sacrifice whatever plans you had before the baby came. It might help if the father is present or the mother has a strong support network, but even with the help childrearing is difficult. You can struggle and work through all of these worries and fears, or you could get an abortion.

After reflecting on the difficulties of being pregnant, try to listen to pro-life arguments from the perspective of a pregnant person. “Trauma of killing a child won’t fix the trauma of an unplanned pregnancy.”, “You had sex so face the consequences of your actions.”, “abortion is morally wrong and intrinsically evil.”, “Put the child up for adoption if you don’t want to be a mom.”, “Who knows, maybe you’ll love the whole experience?” What none of the arguments do is solve the problem of being pregnant when someone doesn’t want to be pregnant. Abortion does.

In an ideal society, abortion would never occur. Rape would never occur. Incest would never occur. People would engage in sexual activity accepting full responsibility if their coitus leads to conception. We would have chastity talks and marriage prep and emotional discipline that would be conducive to healthy relationships. The news of pregnancy would always be met with cheers and celebration. Pro-life people may assume a person is not pregnant when thinking about getting an abortion, but that is almost never the case.

If we truly want to be pro-life, then we must address every fear and anxiety a pregnant person may have. To be fair, the pro-life movement has plenty of resources to help expectant mothers and infancy care. These non-profits and social programs are a good start, but they need to be prominent in society. If someone finds out they are pregnant, then they should be able to immediately find resources that address their concerns, worries, and anxieties.

Don’t fool ourselves into thinking abortion will disappear even if all of these programs would become bountiful. There is still the experience of being pregnant, of surrendering a baby to an adoption agency, or of raising a child. These experiences are still enough to give a person fear and anxiety of being pregnant. Please, don’t shame or guilt trip someone who is already in a distressing situation. If we are truly pro-life, then we must walk with the people with their fears. We must be willing to give our support. Abortion is a quick and easy solution, but it is never the right one.