Abortion debate would take another tone if men affected

Why would an old man write about a topic such as abortion when he has not personally been involved. He has only read and heard from both sides of the issue.

I am the father of three great individuals and today have five great-granddaughters. What does this old duffer know about abortion?

Having a life’s work in education, I think I have come to know many, many young people very well and have empathized with their successes, trials and tribulations. I’d like to share my thoughts on females facing a heart wrenching abortion decision:

One was raped; no ands, ifs or buts. Should she be forced to bear, birth and raise the child of the perpetrator? She has no income at this time or prospect of getting help or work. How would you proceed if abortion would rid you of the worries you could anticipate as this youngster matures?

Another pregnant unmarried mother was raped by the man she really loved and thought she was going to marry, but with the birth, he left the country. She has only minimum wage and no foreseeable help to make this child’s life a good one.

Another impregnated woman has four children, a husband with poor education and employment skills. Income has been spotty and inadequate. She not only sees no hope for more income and her four living children are being provided for inadequately.

In cases 1 and 2 above, the impregnated female has to wonder how much a one-parent family under performs in the raising of a child in today’s technologically advanced and competitive society. Difficult question. Can she perform the entire family assistance all on her own?

There are problems to be faced if she makes an abortion decision. Is a clinic available? If one is, can she enter and leave without embarrassing heckling by nonbelievers? If no clinic and approved doctor is available, can she trust a rumored hideaway source?

You ask, what is the problem for not having an abortion? You insist that we have a good welfare system that will provide adequate care for both mother and child. Taxpayers are providing plentifully without rancor. There are no negative statements about welfare and the child will be treated equally compared to children of prospering Americans.

You can foresee other situations where prospective mothers are faced with serious circumstances. Laws, aside, who do you believe is the one most responsible for a possible abortion?

If it was a male facing this situation, I don’t believe we would be treating him the way we have treated women throughout history. Better now, than it was. They now can vote, get an education and other improvements, but that has been slow in coming and it still isn’t equal.

My position, unequivocally, is that women should have the right to make the abortion decision if ever faced with that question. Who else is more entitled? I write this because states are whittling away at Roe vs. Wade. Is this male dominated society ever going to treat women equally?

Two things bother me about the whole debate:

The do-gooders who would have criticized the young impregnated lady that chose to have an abortion. Some of them are not in favor of the welfare mothers receiving taxpayer help to adequately raise their child in an increasingly competitive society, and the conservatives who cut welfare payments without a conscience.

Some abortion naysayers claim moral values?

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D, is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@centurytel.net

Tags: community, seniors, columns