Adoption is not an alternative to abortion.

[OwnedByCats]

160. Ok just to explain again what is meant by "rare"

People here, on DU (not going to speak for others outside this message board), are saying "rare" not to mean only some women are allowed abortions based on certain criteria or the lack of availability. Of course that's not what is meant. I don't know why everyone thinks that. A pro choice person is not wanting a situation where only some women can get the abortion they need. That's just silly talk.

What is meant is through education and availability of contraception, making it free if necessary and available to all, would cut down the need for the procedure. Not all abortions are the result of ignorance about contraception, but some are. Why do you think organizations like Planned Parenthood give women who have gone to them for an abortion free birth control afterwords? Why do you think they educate and push for the use of it? It's called trying to prevent an unwanted pregnancy in the first place. Finding yourself in a position to have to choose abortion is no happy occasion. I've been there, I had an abortion. It wasn't easy and it was a scary time. I would rather have not gotten pregnant in the first place. That doesn't mean abortion should be taken off the table for any woman. It should be available for any woman who needs one (also free if necessary) because we all know that even if all women were using bc, no contraceptive is 100%. There will also never not be a medical need for abortion for some women who's lives are in danger. But what is wrong with actively trying to prevent unwanted pregnancy? If I had a teenage daughter, I'd make sure she had protection because I wouldn't want her to have to go through that hard choice, if it was possible to prevent it. I wouldn't just do nothing and think "oh well, if she does get pregnant, there is always abortion". Teaching her about her body and how it works and using birth control is something she's going to need until she's menopausal, it's important.

I used to participate in a chat room on AOL dedicated to preserving freedom of choice many many years ago, way back in the 90's. Pro-lifers would come in and spout their nonsense and we would tell them it was none of their business. We always preached about the importance of birth control, but abortion should still be available nonetheless.

I don't know what the problem is here, maybe it's a word thing. Maybe the word "rare" shouldn't be used because it's confusing things I think. By no means is anyone here talking about removing any woman's right to have an abortion, no matter why she needs one.