A linguistic trick of affirming the right to abortion while simultaneously devaluing it.

[PeaceNikki]

58. Oh, that's bullshit.

I am 'harping' because I feel passionately about it I don't give a shit how old or how much you have or think you have supported abortion rights. The language is harmful.

Do you not see, even a little, how using the "rare" language can be harmful?

The widespread endorsement of “rare” in context of abortion both produces and reproduces stigma. A recent review of mental health and abortion found profound psychological implications of stigma. According to experimental studies stigmatization can create negative cognitions, emotions, and behavioral reactions that can adversely affect social, psychological, and biological functioning. Societal stigma is seen as particularly pernicious because it leads to internalized stigma in which women adopt the negative societal beliefs and stereotypes about themselves.

Maybe you go around using the term "rare" in context of other medical issues, but society certainly doesn't. Not like this. And, if it were coupled with massive sweeping restrictions on other medical procedures and attacks from the religious right, I could buy into that theory. For now, we ALL know there have been massive attacks in every state on abortion since 1989. And they are getting worse. And, as such, I feel it's incredibly important to discuss how our language forms our societal beliefs and vice versa.

If you cannot see that and refuse to discuss it, move along. The next generation is here to take back our rights we've been losing since 1989 while you've been coddling the right with your 'rare' mantra.