Paige Lindsey Smith, MDiv., MLIS
Florence, Ala.
What Jahr points out regarding the alleged "pro-life" movement is exactly what many astute proponents of both choice and even those on the anti-choice side have observed in the past: The "pro-life" movement is not about life. It is anti-woman and anti-child, and it is about depriving women of reproductive choices in their own lives.
Jahr is correct in pointing out how the vast sums of money collected by these organizations that claim to be "protecting" women do not go toward adequately assisting women who might want to have the child despite a pregnancy being unplanned. Yes, these groups will direct these poor women to an organization (staffed by volunteers) that might give them a used car seat, a second-hand stroller, and a free box of infant-sized disposable diapers. But where does the rest of the money these pro-life groups raise go? Certainly not to support these women and their children for the next several years.
The "pro-life" (or rather "pro-birth") movement is about a political and social agenda. Jahr is right on target there. Too many pro-life proponents don’t seem to have ever faced the difficulties of raising their children alone or doing so without public assistance. Too many of pro-life advocates are the same people who are vocally anti-welfare, anti-public education, anti-social programs, anti-sex education, anti-birth-control, anti-public assistance of any shape or form.
Let's help single moms. Let's get young girls educated. Let's help women get jobs and get off public assistance. Let's put that energy – and money – into schools, into day-care, into job-training.
Paige Lindsey Smith has worked off and on in abortion counseling in New Haven, Conn., and Alabama since 1973. She and her husband, Dr. Pat Smith, were part owners of the clinic in Birmingham that was bombed in 1998 by Eric Rudolph.
