As an adoptee how do you feel about the issue of abortion?
I have always had a great deal of sympathy for women who are unexpectedly pregnant and a great concern for women with forced pregnancies. I have helped several women escape from their abusers and have housed women who need to hide from their abusers. (Their partners were police officers and they weren’t safe in a shelter.) I had less sympathy for their doctors.
How do you feel being adopted has affected your opinion on abortion?
In the past, I was focused on my sympathy and concern for women and I expected that many women don’t understand exactly what an abortion accomplishes. They just want the problem to go away and they think of abortion as having a growth removed. I guess this sounds paternalistic but I am a long time high school teacher and I definitely hear about what my students believe and understand about such things! We have a pretty thorough ongoing sex education program in our state but still, there is so much confusion!
Since escaping my own abusive marriage a decade ago, my focus has changed. I have embraced my right to live and I have a bit of outrage that some people don't think so. I have a right to live. Through DNA testing I have become acquainted with my half siblings and some cousins and have gained some understanding of my birth mother’s difficulties. I am sorry she.
Many adoptees have been asked "Aren't you glad you weren't aborted?", what is your response to that?
Yes. I am SO grateful! When I was conceived in 1954, it was difficult to get an abortion and I am very, very grateful.
Can you talk about a time when you felt pressured to have an opinion on abortion?
I’ve always had an opinion on abortion
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