A HUMANIST POSITION ON A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE
A central theme of Humanism is respect for the dignity and well being of all people. This respect means that we assume people know their situations and how best to deal with it.
Abortion is not the best way of avoiding unwanted pregnancy. Improved sex education, easily available contraception, and better education and opportunities for young women can all help to reduce the number of abortions. However, as long as unwanted pregnancies are a fact of life, most Humanists believe that for society as a whole, as well as for children themselves, it is better if every child is a wanted child.
The United States Supreme Court decision (Roe vs. Wade) and the existing legislation and precedents do not impose abortion on anyone who does not want one, but allow the option of a legal and safe abortion. Humanists believe that this decision offers one ethical and moral solution to a possibly difficult situation for all involved.
Most Humanists believe that society should see that a woman gets all the prenatal and postnatal care possible to insure a healthy child, but the decision to bear a child rests with the woman.
To read more:
A Humanist Discussion of…abortion
Fetus Rights Bill Decried by Humanists: Stealth Move Against Women’s Right to Abortion
Insurance for Fetuses or Insurance Against Abortion Rights?
Humanists Decry Louisiana Anti-Abortion Law
Humanists Ask Congress Not to Curtail a Woman’s Right To Choose
Humanists Concerned over New Dangers to Providing Reproductive Health Care
House Allows Religious Doctrine to Trump Women’s Rights
Humanists Find Freedom to Choose Threatened in PA
Bush’s Family Planning Blockade Criticized
Filed under: Discussion, Humanist Positions, humanism