The controversy around abortion is inevitable. There are so many ideas and people that need to be taken into consideration. It’s like a game of tug of war, people pushing and pulling trying to take the other side down into the mud. Regardless, both sides refuse to take one glance at each other.

Different people have different priorities, which leads to different opinions. These different opinions split into two main groups, pro-life and pro-choice. Therefore, the best way to view the abortion debate is by addressing these two common viewpoints. 

First, pro-life. When a woman becomes pregnant, she gains the responsibility of a new life. This child, this valid human being, has the same right to life as anyone else. No one should be able to have control over the natural process of death. This idea of women having the right to choose no longer applies, because it is no longer only her life that is being considered. This child’s future is a clean slate,  prospective with so many opportunities. Is it not cruel to strip that away?. 

People also see developing children as though they are not alive. If so, then why are people consoled when they lose a child through a miscarriage? And why is it that in many states, when a pregnant woman is murdered, the death of her unborn child is considered a tragedy as well? Even if a mother considers their child as an “inconvenience” or “mistake”, their lives can not be undermined.

 Often, abortion is seen as the only solution to an accidental pregnancy. Options like adoption are easily overlooked. The adoption system is perceived as cruel and unforgiving, yet many children end up finding happy homes. Understanding that a small percentage of foster children undergo some scarring incidents, these children have the possibility to savor life. This chance for a better life should clearly outweigh the alternative, right?

Now, pro-choice. The best argument for pro-life would be victims of rape or abusive relationships. Forcing someone into sex is disgusting. Forcing someone to keep the result of this horrible experience is even worse. A woman should not have to be pressured to have someone’s baby when the child will just be a creation of a vile experience.

Adding on, families refuse to support the woman once the baby arrives. They might push someone to keep the baby, and they will claim that it would be evil for the woman to get an abortion. However, all of this support disappears when the baby arrives. Now all there is just a woman with no financial support trying to take care of a child. This problem could be easily solved, yet people claim that this woman should put her life on pause to take care of a baby she never wanted.

Finally, guilt. If a woman wants to have a baby, she will be celebrating her pregnancy. If she doesn’t want a baby, and she is still forced to have one, she would feel guilty for bringing this life into the world. Whether she put the child up for adoption or keeps it, she would always feel as if she made a mistake. It would be a burden that she would have to carry for the rest of her life. Frankly, she should not have to feel this, and she should be able to get an abortion.

Both sides of the argument have valid points. Focusing on the other side can help gain a broader view of the debate. Using this information and wider perspective to educate others can decrease intolerance. The point is, pulling someone into the mud is never necessary when you can brush them off and work together to make a brighter future.