When one hears the phrase Roe v. Wade, the first thing that commonly comes to mind is the ruling by the Supreme Court making abortion legal. It’s not wrong either since abortion is the most common, as well as the easiest, thing to see affected by the ruling. But the ruling has wider implications than just that, which is why we have to stop attacking the ruling. 

I am pro-life, but when it comes to voting on policy for everyone, I vote pro-choice. This might seem hypocritical at first glance, but there is a logic to my way of looking at it. First, I can’t have the sole reason for supporting a policy be my personal views. There has to be a logic to it, a logic that demonstrates a policy being beneficial to the majority of society. Secondly is that, based on that logic, I see ways that are better at preventing abortion, like those who believe in pro-life and benefit society besides attacking the ruling.

As I said in the beginning, there are wider implications from attacking the ruling than just abortion. These can be found in how the majority opinion was written, basically saying that medical decisions are a private matter. That means, in simpler terms, if you overturn Roe v. Wade, you basically destroy confidentiality between doctors and patients in states that have not passed further laws to do so. This would cause mental health and substance abuse treatment to be set back decades, along with potentially leading to the restigmatization of mental illness just as it is starting to shed it completely. Not to mention a potential increase in violence, such as suicides and/or mass shootings. 

I know some will say, “We understand, but how do you discourage abortion if not by making it illegal again?” First, stop pretending you were all perfect saints as teenagers, and remember it without giving it a silver lining. Then change the sexual education. I’m not saying put condom dispensers in every bathroom. Just instead of teaching abstinence is the only way try abstinence is the best way. That means explaining other methods of birth control and STD prevention while emphasizing that abstinence is the only fully effective way to prevent both while also dispelling any myths around sex that one tends to hear as a teen. There’s also the possibility that students 16 and older could have access to a student health center where they can get STD  testing, counseling, and, yes, condoms if needed. After all, at 16, they are allowed to drive a two-ton wrecking ball, basically. So as we encourage independence, why not do it further and in a wise way.

Now before the comments are flooded about how sexual education is a parent’s job, I have a question for you. How comfortable were you talking with your parents about sexual things? Most will probably answer that they felt pretty awkward, and some will answer that they still avoid the topic around their parents. And, while it is awkward even in a class with one’s peers, most would probably find it less awkward than with their parents. There are just some things one doesn’t feel comfortable discussing with their parents or even having their parents know about. 

Education alone isn’t enough, though, since it only aids in preventing unplanned pregnancies. At least as much as one can plan for a pregnancy. The other component is what makes some doubt the intentions of those who are pro-life. That being the need for a stronger safety net. Some will decry anything they see as a handout.

Yet if you make war on poverty starting with a housing, first approach to homelessness and combine it with multigenerational affordable housing, it benefits not only the individuals it touches but the country as a whole. On top of that, overhauling the school lunch program to make it healthier but not less taste-filled, including kicking out the soda machines and limiting energy drinks and coffee. Encouraging juices and other healthy hydrating drinks. As well as making it easier for parents to get food stamps. All of this helps the country with health, aging, and in bringing the abortion rate down, while at the same time preserving protections between patient and doctor from Roe v. Wade. 

There will always be rulings that some disagree with, yet if we look past how they obviously affect us, there are also ways that it benefits us as well. It also shows how law and Philosophy tend to go hand in hand. That one I will leave you to ponder, though, as I think I hear tacos calling me. 

*Tips his hat and walks out the door following his nose towards a taco truck.*

Photo by Gordon Johnson GDJ via Pixaby