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Pro-life push fails, adds problems

By Staff | Feb 8, 2017

I sympathize with the efforts of the pro-life movement and the March for Life as, I too, would like to see the number of abortions reduced.

However, I am concerned the goals of defunding Planned Parenthood and overturning Roe v. Wade would backfire, if successful, and cause unintentional harm to women and their families. We can look to evidence from other countries such as Argentina, where abortion is illegal, and where the abortion rate per women is actually similar to that of the U.S.

Because abortions are forced underground, the risk to women is greater and evidence shows that the maternal mortality rate is higher. Trying to stop abortion by restricting access is like trying to stop a leaking faucet by clogging the drain. A pregnant woman who truly does not want to be pregnant will find a way, legal or not, safe or not.

This is a public health concern. We need to address the root of the problem – unwanted and unsupported pregnancies. Both the pro-life and pro-choice movements can find commonality in these goals, ideally overcoming some of the severe divisiveness on this topic.

We need to provide sex (and abstinence) education for teens, provide access to affordable contraception for those who don’t want children and access to pre-natal and postpartum care for those who do. We need to provide adequate maternity and paternity leave options for working mothers and fathers so that they can afford to have and support a child if this is their preferred choice.

Laura Chan

Nashua business owner

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