I am writing to respond to the letter published in the Jan. 23 issue of the Daily regarding abortion as a “quick fix” for irresponsible women. Allow me to answer Mr. Reynolds’s question regarding how anti-choice legislation denies women. Simply stated: it makes women second-class citizens by allowing what can and cannot be done with their bodies. You, Mr. Reynolds, may allow your religious views to cloud your judgment on this issue, but the last time I checked, there was a separation of church and state.

Regarding your suggestion that couples consider their financial situation and the effect a child would have on their lives “before the heat rises” would be great if we lived in a perfect society. Unfortunately, we do not live in a utopia, and I have to ask how realistic it would be for a “couple” to establish financial stability before deciding to have sex. It’s probably not going to happen.

I agree that both men and women make a choice to participate in consensual sex, but I also believe that if the consequences are different for each partner, the choice cannot be considered equal. If you limit a woman’s reproductive rights and conception occurs, the woman no longer has a choice regarding her sexuality. The man, however, still has a choice on whether to stay with that child.

Mr. Reynolds argues that life begins at conception. He also believes that if a woman is raped, abortion is then acceptable. In my opinion, this seems very hypocritical. If you believe that abortion is taking the life of an innocent child, how can you justify abortion in cases of rape? That child had nothing to do with how it was conceived and is just as innocent as the next. Why is it up to you to decide which unborn “children” are worth saving?

Rape is not the only case where Mr. Reynolds considers abortion to be acceptable. He also argues that if the health of the baby and/or the mother is in question, abortion should remain an option. While my argument from above also applies to these exceptions, I also feel that one could challenge Mr. Reynolds on what he means by “health” in these situations. If he is only looking at the physical health of the mother or the child, then he is not considering the entire picture. The emotional well-being of both individuals should also be considered. There is more to bearing a child than just acting as the “natural habitat for the glob of life.”

While I am pro-choice, I am not pro-abortion. There is a difference. This is a common misconception, as is the idea that abortion is a “quick fix.” I think that every woman should have a choice regarding what happens to her body. All options should be left open for her to make the best decision given the circumstances.

Too much time and energy is spent arguing about abortion. We must begin spending more of this time and energy to improve and promote sexual education within the family and the schools. This would help reduce the need for abortion and stop the spread of STDs. More could be accomplished if we all work together to prevent these situations in the first place. Knowledge is power.

Megan Putney

Senior

Transportation and logistics