What Does it Really Mean to Be Pro-Choice?

Since I was a student in college, I knew I was pro-choice. Even though I was sympathetic to the moral positions of pro-life individuals, I knew that I firmly believed that the decision to have an abortion should be a private one between and individual and her doctor. Recently, I attended a pro-choice training offered by NARAL of Maryland, and we had a chance to discuss what being pro-choice really means. I think abortion is a "hot-button" issue for many people, but when it comes right down to it, I also think that most people are pro-choice, even if they don't yet know it. So what does it really mean to be pro-choice? Well, here is a list which is a good place to start offered by NARAL:

1. Believing abortion is a private decision. The core belief of the pro-choice movement is really that abortion should be a private decision between a woman and her doctor. This means that a woman has access to reproductive health care, including abortion, and that her decision isn't restricted by politicians or the government. Just because you might not choose abortion personally doesn't mean that you believe abortion should be illegal. Access to safe and legal abortion services for all women really is at the hear of the pro-choice movement.

2. Believing in honest, accurate sex education. It is safe to say that pretty much everyone would like to see the number of abortions kept to an absolute minimum whether they are pro-choice or pro-life. Abortion is never an ideal situation, although it is sometimes necessary. Preventing abortion starts with honest, accurate, and comprehensive sex education which includes information about birth control options. Abstinence-only sex education programs have been proven to be ineffective; it is time for us to start being honest and open with our children about sex.

3. Believing in healthy families. Family planning is a relatively new concept in human history, and for the first time women have the power to make decisions regarding the timing and number of children that they have. Often times, due to various social and economic circumstances, it doesn't make sense for a woman to have a child. If they have other children, it could be a matter of being able to put food on the table or not. For these reasons, it is vital that all women have access to reproductive healthcare, including access to abortions, so that they can keep their families strong and healthy.

4. Believing in access to birth control. Finally, if you believe that all women should have access to safe and affordable birth control, chances are you are pro-choice. For years anti-abortion individuals have fought to restrict women's access to birth control. Women should be able to get birth control prescriptions filled regardless of which pharmacy they choose, and private- and state-funded insurance programs should subsidize the cost of this medication just like they do with over 98% of other prescriptions.

For more information about what it means to be pro-choice, or to get more involved in pro-choice activism, please visit the NARAL websites listed in the resources section of this article.