Men Shouldn’t Be Making Decisions About Women’s Bodies

I’m sure you all have heard of Alabama’s widely unpopular abortion law. This law effectively outlaws abortion in every stage of pregnancy, even in extreme cases of rape and incest. According to Huffpost, the new law has even drawn the disapproval of groups that are generally anti-abortion.

I decided to understand the question of abortion from a different perspective, one that’s a little closer to home.

Could you start by introducing yourself?

“I’m Ivy, from Singapore. I’m 54 years old. I have 4 children – one boy, three girls”

How many children were you intending to have?

“I was only planning on two”

What was going through your mind when you were pregnant for the third time?

“I wanted to get an abortion – instantly. I was not ready for more kids. I was quite determined.”

Abortion was legalised in Singapore in 1970. The Abortion Act was instituted to protect women from the life-threatening dangers of illegal abortions. In Singapore, every pregnant woman, especially those under the age of 16, is required to undergo counselling before having the procedure.

Do you think abortion is ‘wrong’?

“It depends. If they have no capacity to raise a child or if it was conceived inevitably, an abortion would probably be best. I only feel that abortion is wrong when it is done irresponsibly – unplanned pregnancies and abortions really should not be a birth control alternative.”

Have you heard of the new Alabama abortion law? How do you feel about it?

“Yes, I’ve heard of it. It’s heartbreaking – I think about the women who potentially must go against their will to abide by it. Pregnancy is life-changing, and the baggage of a child is so much to carry.”

You mentioned that you declined your abortion procedure in the end. Why is that so?

“I was certain I wanted an abortion. It was only after an ultrasound that my husband and I found out that we were having twins. We took our time figuring things out and finally made the decision that two lives are one too many to take.”

And do you think you made the right decision?

“Of course. I don’t think I’d be the person I am without my kids. My twins bring me so much joy”

Do you think, then, that the Alabama abortion law could do good in the long run?

“Well, certainly not. It’s not about whether you proceed with an abortion or not… it is about being given the chance to decide. I’m angry because this law simply deprives women of the freedom to choose for themselves. I just think it so unfair – imposing a rule on something that’s growing inside of another person.”

People who support this law claim that the unborn child has the right to live, too. What are your thoughts on this?

“Looking at my twins now, it pains me that I was close to getting rid of them. But the circumstance I was in is so much better than many of the pregnancies out there. Some of these girls were brutally raped, young.. they can barely support themselves. Pregnancies can be really dangerous for the mother, too. There are so many scenarios where I think abortion would be the best solution. Telling an alive person that ‘[he/she] might die having this child, but [they] just got to go through with it – It’s sickening.”

It was refreshing to hear Ivy’s views on the matter – Because firstly, she’s my dear mother. Secondly, she truly regrets ever considering abortion. And lastly, I never would have thought that a person like her with strong motherly instincts could have equally strong views against anti-abortion laws. To me, this conveys how flawed the ‘pro-life’ argument of Alabama’s abortion law is.

‘Men shouldn’t be making decisions about women’s bodies’. It is important to consider the ramifications this could have on the women affected by this law, having to bear the full responsibility of a child whatever the circumstances.

This law, to me, signifies a step backwards for Alabama and USA.