As anti-abortion activists march and wax positive, proclaiming the wonder and wonderfulness of “life,” I recall a social work career toiling to help salvage lives conceived and born unwanted that were too often tragic, not wonderful at all.
Unwanted pregnancies, it is impossible to make a reasoned case in favor of them. The woman, pregnant but not wanting to be, treats the condition as unwelcomed and against her health and well-being. The pregnancy unhappily changes the woman’s existence, plans and prospects, and she resents it.
Carried to term, the woman delivers the child, born unwanted. As an added draw on the family’s attention and resources, the child has real impacts on the lives and outlook for the rest of the woman’s family, too.
The child grows experiencing unwantedness, the parenting and resources devoted reflects that. School attendance and performance become poor. Developing through teens and into early adulthood prospects are not good, low self-worth and motivation; also, very limited marketable skills, bad associates and bad situations. Life forward is a struggle: unhappy and unfulfilling. The costs to society are substantial.
Put aside the religious and ethical debate. The reasonable and knowable fact remains, abortion saves lives!
