I am a pro-life feminist.
Perhaps that sentence goes against everything you were ever taught. Perhaps the sentence makes no sense to you. Perhaps the sentence is icky because I embody everything that you have come to hate with a bitter passion. For me, however, (and a large group of the population in fact) this self-given title makes complete sense. In fact, I don't see how you can have one without the other. Confused? Let's refer to the good ol' Merriam-Webster dictionary:
Feminism: the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities; organized activity in support of women's rights and interests.
Pro-life: opposed to abortion
Ok. Now, I can sit here and lecture you all day about how you're wrong, I'm right, and all that. But I don't do that. I like to deliver unbiased information and let you decide like intelligent adults, so I'll give you one out of the many reasons I am a pro-life feminist. So let's start.
Growing up I always heard that you should never label yourself as a feminist because then you would be seen as some radical liberal hippie. Apparently that is not good. However, as I have grown up as a woman, met other women, and have learned about the original women's rights movement, I'd say that's a load of junk. I will stand up and loudly proclaim that I am a feminist and I am all for women's rights. I will not defend myself saying "Well, I'm a feminist, but I do like men." Because that is true feminism. (Please refer to definition above.) I am also a Human Rights activist which is an umbrella under which both feminism and the pro-life movement fall. I believe in human rights for all, and I am specifically interested in the rights that are not always given to women and the "unfit" or "disposable" of society.
Now you might be thinking that's all fine and dandy, but what do these two seemingly different movements have to do with each other? Glad you asked. PAS (Post-Abortion Syndrome) affects most if not all women after having an abortion procedure. Never heard of it? You're not alone. PAS is very similar to PTSD, because what abortion providers don't tell you is that abortion does great psychological damage. Symptoms of PAS include, but are certainly not limited to: Anxiety, Nightmares, Emotional pain, Self-destructive behaviors, Alcohol and Drug abuse, etc.
Well. That's heavy isn't it? The best part is that women, who are scared and simply looking for help, are not warned about this before going through with the procedure. Have you ever been scared and felt absolutely helpless and would do anything to get out of your position? You make decisions without properly thinking about it, and abortion providers prey on these women. That actually makes me sick, but it is real.
Don't believe me? I have met many, many post abortive women in my life and I can tell you that I would do absolutely anything to make them feel better. However, because abortion is seen as a choice made by the woman, they are rarely allowed to grieve which in turn makes it worse. How can you tell a woman that she is exaggerating and that she should get over the emotional and psychological pain she is in? And since abortion is so prevalent in society I can guarantee you know at least two post abortive women. That is at least two women that feel alone and like they cannot get help. That's where I am pro-life. No person should ever have to feel that pain, and should certainly not go through it alone.
As a pro-life feminist, I believe that women should be given well researched and easy to understand information about abortion, and easy access to knowledge of other options which are definitely out there. No person should ever have to be put into a corner and feel like they have no choice, especially for such a harmful procedure.
Pregnant or know someone who is? There is help out there besides abortion:
To find a pregnancy center near you go to OptionLine: http://optionline.org/ or call (800) 395-HELP
For information about abortion and its effects go to: http://www.nrlc.org/help/ or call (800) 848-LOVE
Post Abortive Syndrome:
Information on PAS: http://www.operationrescue.org/about-abortion/post-abortion-help/Think you or someone you know has PAS?:
Silent No More: http://www.silentnomoreawareness.org/
Project Rachel: http://hopeafterabortion.com/
