In this exercise I am not debating the legal and moral issues of abortion. In this short post I will be taking a Side Eye look at the accuracy of the pro-life label as it relates to its narrow application.
From state to state there are a few variations but in general pro-life mission statements include protection for “all life from conception to natural death”. When you look closer it is apparent that their vision is limited to changing the laws to restrict abortion access. What is not apparent on their site is any reference to current or future assistance policies or programs they have planned for the mother and/or child after birth. I am sure there are exceptions that are true to their mission statement, but a large portion are not. Looking at it from a business point of view it is understandable why the focus is on the fetus. They need to generate donations to exist. The donation stream flows when they post a picture of a fetus in the womb, not so much when a picture showing the homeless teen on the street is used. This marketing focus is why it is generally accepted that being pro-life is synonymous with anti-abortion and nothing more. Question anyone on the street what Pro-life means to them, they will tell you that it is solely anti-abortion. This perception is reinforced with pro-life propaganda delivered via social media that typically includes a picture of a fetus with the caption, “All life is precious in the eyes of God”. I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t agree with that statement.
Curious though, conception to natural death is in the mission statement and “all life is precious in the eyes of God”, then why haven’t I been receiving an equal number, or any pictures at all, on social media such as, an inner-city toddler standing barefoot on a street among abandoned boarded up windows, a child at the southern border sleeping on the street, or perhaps siblings sitting in front of a broken-down trailer without heat or water? The lack of diversity of life in their marketing makes it clear that Pro-life agenda is focused primarily if not solely on the fetus. I see nothing wrong with that, provided the label is more concise to match the true vision. I shared my thoughts with some friends, who are avid supporters of the pro-life movement. What I was told provided a window into what pro-life meant to them, “they want to live like that”, “they chose that lifestyle”, “they are lazy”, (I don’t agree with any of these statements on many levels but that’s for another day) By taking that position, any responsibility for the care and protection of that child has been transferred at birth to someone else, whether or not they have the means to take care of a child, aka “not my problem”. This realization is what sent me on this course questioning the pro-life moniker. Its perceived broad scope does not correctly define the reality of a pin-point anti-abortion focus. Perhaps pro-birth would be a better description. Being part of the pro-birth (formally pro-life) movement requires very little commitment. For the vast majority, me included, it might be placing some money in a donation box or taking part in the occasional diaper drive, pining the little feet to my lapel, but not much beyond that. Whereas pro-life has an exponential commitment factor.
Rest assured, there are those among us that have the inner calling and drive it takes to be a true pro-lifer. They take on a huge commitment of time and money to extend the needed support to the child and their family. They deserve all the respect and accolades we can deliver for their work and the support they provide for the child. It is this support, not laws, that can make the difference as a woman considers whether to terminate a pregnancy. It takes a commitment of continued support to break a child free from the revolving door syndrome. This is especially true in the early years when most of the brain development is happening. Universal health care, free school lunches so the child can concentrate on education not their empty stomach, safe housing to reduce PTSD in young adults, and employment opportunities are needed to break generational poverty and the teen pregnancy epidemic.
It is disingenuous to the true pro-lifers for the rest of us to be calling ourselves pro-life while pushing back, voting against or just indifference to programs that are required for a child to flourish. We are the wealthiest nation in the world, if we invest in ourselves, we will all reap the dividends with a stable productive society.
Summary:
When we say, “All life is precious in the eyes of God”, does that not span from conception until death? Should our commitment to protecting the unborn also apply to that very baby after birth, and/or as a young adult, for their entire life span? Are we too quick to announce mission complete at birth knowing the future challenges for many are insurmountable.
I embrace my new pro-birth moniker, and I aspire to one day find the will within me to be a true pro-lifer.
We need to consider that an aborted pregnancy has more than one victim. Empathy, understanding and love should be freely given to the women who felt this was her only choice.
Investigate before you donate. The Pro-Life moniker attracts a lot of attention and donations. There are numerous charities with Pro-Life in their name, but they are not all the same. To see if your charity of choice is using your donation like you would expect, you can check them out at www.charitynavigator.org