I've had a bunch of different jobs through the years. Library assistant, grounds crew worker, store clerk, babysitter, temp office worker, health educator.
My job as a medical assistant and abortion counselor at Planned Parenthood is still possibly the most memorable. In some ways it was the hardest job I had, but maybe not for the reasons you would think.
Despite propaganda to the contrary, I found that many women faced with an unplanned pregnancy chose abortion because things in their lives were hard, complicated, painful, and poorly timed. I heard stories about questionable partners, sick parents, financial woes. After a couple years of hearing these stories, it really wore on me.
There was another group of women I found very hard to deal with, and who continue to color my feelings about abortion politics as a whole. These were the women I encountered who claimed to have always been against abortion before, and even after, their own unplanned pregnancy.
Over and over I heard some version of "my situation is completely different than other women's". One woman told me that if abortion became illegal, which she would support, she was sure her own doctor would risk punishment to help her if she felt the need for an illegal abortion. This hypocrisy and contempt for other women's lives was really hard to stomach.
To this day, I assume that many people involved in the anti-choice movement are working through a pregnancy decision they have not come to terms with. Perhaps they were forced to make an unwanted choice by a parent or a partner, or were later made to feel guilty by someone with an agenda. I really never understood how women could have an abortion and continue to be against others having that choice.
According to a recent study, most women who have an abortion have no regrets. Allowing women to make the decision they feel is best will lead to the best outcomes for families in this country. Sometimes this decision will mean continuing a pregnancy, and sometimes it will mean terminating a pregnancy.
I did get a lot of satisfaction from helping women learn about options to prevent future unplanned pregnancies. This may be hard to believe, (or maybe not if we listen to our politicians demonstrating their knowledge) but many people reach adulthood in this country with no practical knowledge of reproduction, anatomy, or contraceptives. I guess they missed that day of class or slept through the lesson that showed the picture of female genitalia (yes, there is more than one hole "down there") or explained how you can keep sperm from reaching an egg. (yes, not having sex is always first on the list, and no, 14 year-olds are not going to use the "rhythm method" very reliably).
Providing education and access to pregnancy prevention information and services, which Planned Parenthood does, is how we reduce abortions in this country. Not eliminating services for those without resources (because rich women will always have access to healthcare) and cutting back on real education for all ages.
