According to a story by the Washington Post, one urologist has seen a 15% increase in scheduled vasectomies since Texas passed legislation making abortions nearly impossible.
While I applaud these men for getting vasectomies as taking the burden of birth control off of women, it also brings to mind something that bothers me.
In my opinion, using responsible birth control methods like condoms are far preferable to relying on an abortion after the fact.
Let me be clear: I fully support a women’s choice over her own reproductive health. I am 100% pro-choice.
However, I don’t think it is a healthy mindset to be in the throes of passion and say to yourself, well if I get pregnant, I’ll just get an abortion. An abortion is a serious medical procedure. It takes a toll on the human body. Additionally, some may experience emotional distress afterwards.
In other words, while I will fight for women’s reproductive rights, I think using forms of birth control like the pill or condoms are healthier alternatives when possible.
Putting on a condom is responsible birth control. It is the easiest and one of the most effective means of birth control. It is just sad that this option gets ignored by so many men.
Birth control pills are commonplace. It puts the responsibility for providing protection on the person who is at risk for getting pregnant. I’m not arguing that should be the case, but I’m realistic enough to know that a lot of men don’t take the risk of pregnancy as being as significant as if they were the one who would have to carry the child or get an abortion.
Diaphragms and IUDs are also birth control methods that women can use. Reversable vasectomy is an option for men. The Plan B or “Day After” pill is also an option that not enough people know about.
Plan B is a pill that can be taken within three days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It is 75-89% effective and can be obtained without a prescription at most pharmacies.
The Supreme Court will soon rule on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health which challenges a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. With the conservative slant of the Supreme Court, I fear for women across our country. Making abortion illegal won’t end abortion, it will only be the end of safe abortions.
The Texas abortion law that went into effect in September attacks women’s reproductive rights in several ways. Where abortion has routinely been available up to 20 weeks into the pregnancy, the new Texas law changes that to six weeks. Often women don’t even know they are pregnant by that point.
Additionally in Texas, there is now a bounty system that encourages ordinary citizens to file suit against those involved in abortions – even when the person filing the suit has nothing to do with the need for the abortion, the person getting the abortion, or the facility performing the procedure. If the suit is successful, the vigilante plaintiff is rewarded $10,000.
Here’s my thought:
If you are anti-abortion, then when you get pregnant don’t get an abortion. But you shouldn’t be allowed to impose your beliefs on others. There are mindsets other than evangelical Christianity. Keep your beliefs to governing your own reproductive organs – not those of others.
This is where I applaud President Joe Biden. He is Catholic, but he understands that his beliefs are his personal beliefs – not the rule of law for others. As such, he supports women’s reproductive rights.
President Biden needs to take another step forward in history. He needs to expand the Supreme Court to counteract bad faith appointments by Donald Trump.
One thing that President Biden has shown during his first year in office, is that he is willing to change his position if the majority calls for it.
I encourage you to let the White House know that you think President Biden needs to expand the Supreme Court. Don’t just think about it. Do it.
I’ll make it easy for you: go to https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and gently nudge President Biden in the right direction.
Together we can make a difference.
Peace. Love. Trust.
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