Why Are We Asking the Wrong Questions About Abortion?

In 1981, Walker Percy wrote an editorial about the possibility of a human life amendment. He noted that the scientific proof of abortion ending a human life was clear. Yet, he warned those supporting legal abortion that they wouldn't have it both ways—they'd be told what they were doing. Today, it seems like we need to be reminded of that again. The abortion debate is often reduced to political squabbles that miss the bigger picture. Questions like whether Democrats might end the filibuster to make abortion legal across all states or if doctors are scared to treat miscarriages due to state laws are common. But these questions are a distraction from the real issue: what are we saying about our culture and values when we discuss abortion legally? Are we, as a nation, afraid of our future and our children? Do we resent their existence and the resources they require? Is motherhood seen as so burdensome that political campaigns can win by emphasizing abortion rights? Have we lost track of our civil rights and human rights journey, which once focused on protecting the vulnerable? Today, the abortion rights movement suggests that the powerless can be justified in being killed, specifically by their mothers. This is a chilling reversal from protecting the weak.

If this is our nation's trajectory, then we need to have a serious conversation about these deep cultural and philosophical questions. This debate should be about more than just politics; it should be about what we stand for as a country. Alongside this, we need to address the fears many people have about the future, especially youth worried about marriage and parenting. Do we still believe that having a committed life partner to raise children with is best? If not, why not? What alternatives are being proposed, and what evidence supports them? If abortions are driven by fears of nonmarital sex, financial struggles, or pressures from partners, how can we improve these areas? Those advocating for life should push these larger questions into the abortion debate. They need to get people thinking about what legal abortion means for our country. Otherwise, the public won't truly understand what abortion advocates are doing, hidden behind their cheerful smiles, pink balloons, and empty slogans about women’s rights.

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