Pro-choice Means So Much More.
Pro-choice is about so much more than just a woman's right to have an abortion. The real fight is securing womens right to complete and unquestionable body autonomy. No one should ever have the ability to dictate what a woman should or should not be able to do with her own body. And that is not limited to abortion.
An NYU study found that by the time girls begin school they have already been conditioned to believe that they are less capable than boys. These beliefs dog women throughout their education and restrict women's advancement and growth. There is a prevalent assumption that women are not suited for or capable of performing and excelling in careers in the STEM fields. This myth is just ludicrous and has no basis in fact. Women have been found to be just as capable in these field as men and more women than men are getting degrees. Women now account for 63% of bachelor degree graduates. Women need the freedom to pursue an education and career without being defined by antiquated social limitations.
Society continues to try and control women through controlling appearance and behaviour. Women should be free to act and dress as they choose and be free of the inherent shame that comes with being a woman for no other reason than one inhabits a female body. We still hold on to the belief that women's bodies should be altered and confined in order to be more youthful and aesthetically pleasing. These body standards change with each generation, are arbitrary, and serve no other purpose than to control women.
Unattainable body standards rob women of time, energy, and their sense of self-worth. Body trends like "the thigh gap" and "the belly button challenge" reinforce the notion that a woman's value is based on her appearance. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are a growing problem among young women. It is estimated that approximately 3% of the population in the U.S. has an eating disorder and it is most prevalent in young women.
Fighting for reproductive rights has been at the heart of the women's movement. Women should be free to make all decisions in all regards to their reproductive lives: whether to have children or not, how many, and when. And they should be free to decide what type of birth control best suits their needs and lifestyles. When women have control over their reproduction it benefits children and society as a whole. It allows them to have the ability to provide more sustainably for their offspring and as a result have happier and healthier lives.
If one truly wants to end abortion, the real solution is to give women the education and freedom to take control of their reproduction. Ensure that birth control is accessible and affordable and removing the stigma and shame in regards to women's bodies and sexuality.