In most cases, the creation of new life is a blessed event, with the pregnancy a cause for celebration. Many unexpected teenage pregnancies are carried to term since the young mother has the love, support and encouragement of friends and family.
But what if the pregnancy is unwanted, incurring onerous financial expenses and bringing undue stress? The innocent baby will be unloved and the target of hatred, scorn, neglect, andgiven up for adoption. This creates a surge in orphanages and foster care facilities.
In the end, innocent children become the financial and legal responsibility of the community: a lose-lose-lose scenario.
Imagine a teenage girl gets pregnant. In many states, she must now carry the child to term. If she decides to be a single mother, will she be supported, abandoned, or banished by her friends, family and community? Can she continue with her education? Who will undertake the financial burden going forward?
It is a woman’s choice when it comes to pregnancy and abortion, depending on her family, age, mental condition, religion and financial capability. Society’s responsibility should be to provide women with the support structure to arrive at a mature and practical decision.
The recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will create tragic and unnecessary consequences. Several justices alluded to the original wording of the Constitution, which was authored by men (who never had to consider things like abortion) many years before women even had the right to vote. Relevance and applicability?