Twelve-year-old girls are generally greatly interested in their hair, who’s popular and who’s not, and are embarrassed to be seen in public with their parents.
Yet, we unfortunately hear stories of young girls who are victims of rape by family friends or strangers and incest, which is always at the hands of relatives.
Many girls that age can conceive, although socially and emotionally in our society, they are not in any way ready for the responsibilities of parenthood.
Pregnancy and childbirth, not to mention parenting responsibilities, range from taxing to extremely taxing even for the most mature woman.
The Kansas State House has voted to limit abortion to 22 weeks, with no exceptions, including victims of incest and rape.
The Legislature is showing an extreme lack of compassion for the plight of these individuals who are still children.
A young girl may not even understand what is going on with her body. She may not show much or even have told her parents, particularly if a relative was involved in the rape.
Why force a child to go through pregnancy, weight gain, and the excruciating pain of childbirth in a situation where she had no control?
Carrying a baby and giving birth is a monumental, life-changing event for the most mature woman and one she will never forget, hence the reason when women get together, eventually they share birth stories.
The Legislature is victimizing the victim.
Women are going to get abortions whether the Legislature approves of it or not. They did before Roe v. Wade and died from infection and filth.
Many states will approve of this exception from abortion laws and it is reasonable, even if only for another month or limited to those under age 18. Having a child and her parents make these decisions should be between them.
Until one walks a mile in those shoes, and as sad and heartbreaking as they would be, they should be the ones making decisions.
Karen La Pierre