Abortion... Again

The pro-life versus pro-choice discussion is closely linked to the patriarchy; it's a simple question whether or not women have bodily autonomy. All the other moral calculations, like the right to life of a fetus, the possibility for adoption, whether the fetus has a soul or the debate about when life begins, are irrelevant.

Before we dive into yet another post about abortion rights, I want to make a quick observation about the labels "pro-life" and "pro-choice." Both are politically inspired and both don't really cover the essence of the debate they're used in. They are chosen for their ability to discredit the other side. One side gets to claim that "the enemy" is against life itself; ruthless murderers, all of them! And the other side gets to claim that "the others" are against individual freedom of choice. It happens that one side is right, but only partially, but the labels are chosen for their divisive qualities. How could any sane person be against life or choice? That insanity which is implied in those labels should tell us something, namely that both miss the essence of the question at hand.

The essence is quite simple and exposed by asking a simple question: do you believe that any person has the right to use or control somebody else's body without that person's consent? That's the only important question and the answer is always a resounding "no!" We agree that's the answer in every other aspect of human existence, at least we do now. We agree that slavery is immoral. We agree that body-parts can only be used to save lifes with the owner's consent. My country has an opt-out policy for post-mortal donor donations, other countries have an opt-in policy, but both rely on the implicit or explicit consent from potential donors. Yes my friends, even after death, bodily autonomy is a given. The only viable argument for not getting vaccinated is the argument for bodily autonomy, even though other moral considerations should convince most people to get the vaccination. Drugs should be legalized because of bodily autonomy; what I choose to put inside my body is my decision to make and mine alone, as long as I don't bother other people.

Bodily autonomy is one of modern western society's most sacred principles, so why do some people make this single exception for pregnant women? The answer to that question is found in the patriarchy, of course. It's the historical domination of men over all other genders, primarily women. And this shows even in the way non-pregnant women are treated and spoken to. Consider what's often said to women who declare that they're not going to have children; "What if everyone had no children?" "What a selfish thing to say." "You'll regret that decision." "Better to have them now than when you're too old." Somehow it's considered a woman's duty to bare children. And for some radical Christians that duty overrides any notion of bodily autonomy for these women.

Like it's mentioned in the below linked video, as soon as we deny a group of people their bodily autonomy, we start to dehumanize them by looking at them as a tool or machine to produce a desired outcome. The question "what if every woman decides to not have children?" is ridiculous and has no bearing on reality. We don't ask "what if every man decides to become a policeman?" now do we? Do you believe that any person has the right to use or control somebody else's body without that person's consent? That's the only question that matters and the nice thing about it is that it covers the notion that a fetus is the equivalent of a full-grown person; even that person's not allowed to use the mother's body without her consent. There's maybe a case to be made if and when that new person can survive on its own outside the host body, which is how abortion rights traditionally have been restricted. I'll leave you with two videos on the topic today, both well worth your time in my opinion.

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