Monument to the unborn child…..
What a giant heap of shit this is. Ok, here’s the thing, if people are that emotional and guilt-stricken over having an abortion, chances are, it’s something they didn’t want to do in the first place. So again, I’ve said this once, I’ll say it again, just because some people regret their abortions, doesn’t mean it should be illegal. That’s just as ridiculous as saying that because people regret having kids, everyone should be sterilized.
Also, who’s to say this is a “pro-life” monument anyway? Maybe it’s just a mother grieving the death of their toddler, or 4 or 5 year old. Why does the antichoice movement always have to skew shit into being some “prolife” propaganda?
I look at it this way - If we lived in a world where abortion was just as acceptable an outcome as birth, people would still make choices they regretted. That’s how it is when we get to make our own decisions. Some people may not regret it, but would still mourn or wonder about what could have been. I think this sculpture could be appreciated in that way, so at first glance, I think it’s fine.
That said, we don’t live in that world, and I don’t think it’s right to use these people’s hurt to take away an important option for others. This sculpture was made by Martin Hudáčeka in Bardejobská Nová Ves, Slovakia, entitled “The Child Who Was Never Born.” From what I can see, it was commissioned by a group of young, pro-life mothers. I don’t know if any of them had actually had abortions, and the little information I can find on it suggests it was intended as pro-life propaganda of sorts:
The idea to build a memorial to unborn children came community of young women, mothers who are deeply aware of the value of each human life and damage that is inflicted not only a waste of potential unborn children, but also permanent damage intellectual (sometimes physical) health of every woman who chooses to her unborn child conceived.
It’s the “every woman” bit, y’know.
So, yeah, we don’t live in that world. People still use others’ anguish to demonize a procedure that millions of people have had, the majority of whom suffered no ill effects. There should be help for people who feel bad. There should be a place for them to go. But, to suggest that their experience is universal is naive and willfully ignorant. It’s a shame that such a lovely sculpture is being used in that way.
(via stfueverything)
