Expert: Deborah - 9/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Deborah. My question is how do you feel about laws that would criminalize abortion even in cases of rape? I personally am pro-choice and believe that a woman should have the right to choose regardless of the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy, but the idea of forcing a woman to endure a pregnancy that resulted from such a tramatic, violent and dehumanizing crime seems especially cruel. I can not even begin to fathom what it would be like to be in that situation. Some people get upset when I say this, but to me it would feel like being raped all over again. Once again my feelings, my needs and my rights are being ignored. Also, I can't imagine how emotionally and psychologically damaging this would be for the woman, not to mention the child! To your knowledge, have there ever been any studies done on this? Thank you.

Maggie

ANSWER: Dear Maggie,

I feel exactly the same way you do.  In fact, I could have written that paragraph word for word!  

I have not read any studies done specifically on rape victims being forced through pregnancy against their will.  However, there is no doubt that it would be unimaginably damaging, emotionally as well as physically.  The thought just absolutely horrifies me and disgusts me.  We must make sure it never comes to that.

If you want to read more information about abortion rights, go to my blog:

http://wingnutwatch.typepad.com/wingnutwatch/

Deb







---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi there. I hope you don't mind a follow-up. I asked two other people in this same category this same question to get different points of view. One said that she felt that one could be a feminist and still be against abortion and advocate their possition. Now, I'm not sure whether or not you consider yourself a feminist or not? But I'll assume you do. How do you feel about this question? I don't agree with her. How can one be a feminist and not believe a woman should have the right to choose? Can women ever really be equal if they don't have the right to make their own reproductive choices? Thanks.

Maggie

Answer
Dear Maggie,

I am absolutely a feminist.  So what does this mean?  It means I view women as equal to men in every possible way.  This includes having bodily autonomy, or body ownership.  Men are completely in control of their own bodies, and no government or outside force can compel a man to to do anything to his own corporeal being/body.  

This is why abortion rights are a must if women are to be equal with men.  If abortion became illegal, the government forcing women through an unwanted pregnancy and through the agony of childbirth and labor, against the wills of the women, is nothing short of slavery and torture.  It means women do not have bodily autonomy, or self ownership.  It means our bodies are owned by the government.

That is beyond sick and unacceptable.

Deb