This is why the idea of simply banning abortion will not reduce abortions at all. Those who can afford to will seek abortions elsewhere, probably Canada. Those who cannot afford to travel will choose desperate measures, whether abortions performed by unlicensed providers underground, or worse, will attempt to induce an abortion on their own, using primitive and extremely dangerous methods.
So how do you reduce the number of abortions? In a thread no longer with us -- Can't they simply close the old politics threads and leave them there for people to read and refer to -- someone posted reasons for having an abortion. Basically, over 90% were, as I saw it, economic. The rest were due to a threat to the health of the mother or disability in the child. I think economic problems call for economic solutions. Compensate the mother for her unwanted pregnancy, and ensure a speedy adoption. Now, I suggest that the government should do the compensating because while I think churches and charities could raise funds to support mothers dealing with an unwanted pregnancy, I don't think that churches or charities could serve all in need.
Now, I recognize that some would suggest that such a policy would reward undesirable behavior, but I think that one has to keep in mind that the deed is done. The sex happened, and now there is a child on the way. If we just ban abortion, it's likely that there will be two dead people, a child and her mother. If the situation remains as is, then there will be a dead child and the mother will likely live. If we adopt compensation and speedy adoption, however, then we can have the situation that is most favorable, which is child and mother both living, and having rewarding lives.
To those who would suggest that such a policy is simply not affordable, I would suggest that you think about how much you value human life. If you agree that saving the life of a child is valuable, and a sure way to accomplish this is to give his or her mother a sum of money. We can afford it. We simply have to stop spending so much on killing people and more on loving people, which this policy does.
Please proceed to rip me to shreds.
