The Editor,
In an effort to open a conversation in response to what often seems like a monologue, I’d like to offer some counterpoints to the recent letter: “Pro Life Association wants mandatory parental consent” (Mercury, Jan. 28).
It would be futile to argue about the personhood of a fetus in this letter; an issue at the core of the abortion debate, but one that proponents on either side are unwilling to budge on. Instead, the options available to the undisputed person involved in this particular discussion, the pregnant minor, are central. This is the other “vulnerable citizen” in the abortion scenario that Saskatchewan Pro-Life claims to act in the best interests of.
Parental consent is not currently required in Saskatchewan for minors to receive abortions, and with excellent reason. The Feminist Women’s Health Centre articulates why:
“When teens feel they cannot tell their parents, they have compelling reasons, such as mentally ill or chemically dependent parents, family violence or incest. Laws cannot mandate good family communications. Desperate teens seek illegal abortion or even commit suicide rather than tell their parents.”
Saskatchewan Pro-Life makes the assumption that all “parents know their children best,” that a parental consent law “[alerts] parents to potential abuse,” and that the “negative influences” and “pressures” uniformly occur outside the home. This is true for some but not others. It views family dynamics through rose-tinted lenses.
Regardless of these (significant) reasons, Saskatchewan Pro-Life seeks to force young people to carry a pregnancy to term and give birth against their will. Whilst claiming to be concerned about the psychological consequences of abortion, the organization conveniently forgets the psychological damages of being forced to carry and birth an unwanted child. It also, perhaps, overlooks the fact that terminations will be facilitated whether they are legal or not, as they have throughout time immemorial. Still, the health and welfare of a desperate pregnant individual is simply not valued as highly as their unborn fetus. In other words, life is honoured, but quality of life is not. For Saskatchewan Pro-Life, forcing a person to undertake an unwanted pregnancy is an ethical act. Is it?
Like Colette Stang, I also hope people experiencing unplanned pregnancies receive good counsel and support. One option is Planned Parenthood in Regina (www.plannedparenthoodregina.com/ (306) 522-0902), which offers unplanned pregnancy counselling and will provide the resources and support to make an informed decision that is right for the individual. After all, they’re our lives and bodies, and our choice to make.
As an aside, I also wish to point out that Saskatchewan Pro-Life’s status as an ethical institution and mandate to “respect … all human life,” (the notion at the heart of their argument) is highly questionable. As I have already pointed out, the lives of pregnant minors are of a lesser concern than their fetuses. But this is also an organization that has propagated a homophobic agenda in recent months. Their unapologetic invitation to Peter LaBarbera, (President for Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, a designated hate group) to their 2014 convention and continued alignment with infamous hate speaker Bill Whatcott speaks to their disregard and disrespect of LGBTQ people in particular. While readers may consider these actions distinct from their abortion politics (and the parental consent debate), I hope they might prompt reflection on whether this is an organization worthy of public support – financial or otherwise.
Yes, terminations can weigh heavily on individuals who undertake them, but they can also have positive benefits for their lives. We benefit from an environment that allows for the infinite choices we have to make in life. Be they good, bad, hard or easy; some we live to regret, and some save our lives. Pro-Life Saskatchewan is not an organization for life, it is an organization that wishes to remove choice. Their campaign for parental support threatens the health and safety of the vulnerable, young and pregnant.
Alex King
Estevan
