Op-Ed: Instead of villainizing women, let’s ask why someone would want an abortion

May 22, 2023

When I was in college, a friend confided in me that she had an abortion after being raped at a party. That’s the moment I knew I was pro-choice. Up until then, I had never really thought about where I stood on the issue of abortion. That wasn’t something that was discussed in my family or in my friend circle. But if I was in my friend’s shoes, I would have done the same thing.

I could tell that she feared I would judge her, and she even blamed herself for drinking too much at the party. Instead of judging her, I listened to her and offered her comfort for the grief she felt about having to make a difficult decision like that.

Instead of villainizing a person for having an abortion, let’s ask the question ? why would someone want an abortion to begin with?

Rape is one reason. And no, I don’t agree with state Rep. Jean Schmidt that pregnancies from rape is an opportunity for the victims. Or with Laura Strietmann, head of Cincinnati Right to Life, that 10-year-old rape victims should carry babies to term.

Read more at Cincinnati.com/