Is Abortion A Basic Right?

By Samantha Scinicariello on April 30, 2013

Photo by thecrazyfilmgirl via Flickr.com

I think we can all agree that when people assume things about us or overgeneralize about people like us, it tends to become frustrating. And really for most of us that is an understatement. Assumptions about who we are or what we believe are usually deal breakers when it comes to relationships. We are probably not going to become friends with or even tolerate people who have derogatory opinions about us when they do not even know us. And yet whenever politicians do this exact same thing we seem perfectly fine going along with or choosing to ignore whatever they say. Enter president Obama’s speech at the Planned Parenthood national convention.

On Friday the president gave a speech in which he basically said that abortion is a basic right for women’s health and that those politicians opposing it are trying to bring back policies better suited for the 1950s. Now there are a couple things about this that bother me, but at the heart of it are the two assumptions that the president makes here. One is that women consider abortion to be a basic health right, and the other is that only a small portion of old fashion politicians oppose abortion. First I would just like to say that as a 19-year-old, non-politician, woman, I do not support abortion. And quite frankly I do not think that I am the only one that feels that way.

I find it extremely ironic that the president is constantly calling conservatives out of touch, when it is my belief that these assumptions of his about women, and Americans in general, are extremely out of touch. Many people believe that abortion is actually less popular today than it was when it was passed, because of the advancements in science that have occurred since then. And what is more, his assumption that all women feel the way that those in Planned Parenthood do about abortion, is completely unfounded. Many women are opposed to abortion and to speak about it as if it is some kind of necessity for us, is not only worn but somewhat sexist. I apologize if this sounds as if I am complaining or nitpicking and I understand that politicians try to appeal to the audience that they are standing before, but this really bothered me. I personally do not like the president assuming things about me or those around me, especially when it comes to something as controversial as abortion.

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