Alabama is one of the most recent states to sign in an anti-abortion law in their state legislature, with many states following their lead. Starting in November, the new legislation that makes abortion illegal except in cases where the mother's health is at risk will become law in Alabama. That's right, it won't even cover rape or incest. A woman not only gets raped but then must suffer the trauma of having the baby of their offender, while the man who raped them could get away with little or no consequences. Right before Alabama, Georgia's governor signed their heart-beat bill. Outlawing abortion after the 6-8 week mark, when the baby's heartbeat is present, starting in 2020. Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio also passed heart-beat bills, according to the New York Times. Some women don't even know they are pregnant at 6 weeks.
But there really are some issues surrounding this legislation.
In this country, people come from so many different backgrounds. I'm not just talking race and religion. But, socio-economic backgrounds, lifestyles, goals, family support systems, and so much more. So many times, I hear people say, "if they do not have the means to keep the child, they can just give the baby up for adoption." But not every child grows up through the system with happy outcomes. It's not guaranteed. In 2017, over 17,000 children aged out of the foster care children and did not have a permanent family. Many children will even face abuse.
Our Congress' always jump straight to anti-abortion as well. Our states could be spending that time, money, and energy to allocate more resources into adoption and foster care systems to get as close to a guarantee of a good life for the children placed there. Creating more open access to birth control and contraceptives and making sure our today's teenagers and future parents have the proper sex education will make sure that they understand the in and outs of not only sex but proper birth control methods to be well-prepared in the future. Our education system is failing our students, while our governments are not trying to solve the bigger issues at hand that can help alleviate part of the need for abortions. Our Congress' are spending time, money, and energy to pass legislation that, in some cases, do not even align with Supreme Court decisions.
We also cannot forget about the legislators passing these bills in the state legislatures. The majority of them? Men. Men who have never known what it is like to miss your period, and sum it up to stress until more than 6 weeks later. As citizens and residents of this country, it should be our responsibility not only to understand safe sex (which needs to be taught through our schools) but to go to the polls and vote for the politicians who will represent your best interests. Who tries to better the system, before taking drastic measures that work against the women in this country. Women deserve their rights.
