I grew up in Florida in the 1960s, prior to Roe v. Wade. Bonnie had twins at 15. Becky, one of the brightest and most popular girls in high school, dropped out in her junior year. It wasn’t until I got to college that I became aware of the number unwanted pregnancies and the options that young women had as solutions. Keep in mind that this was prior to Roe. Being illegal didn’t stop abortions, it just drove them underground in conditions that were less than clinical, performed by people of dubious qualifications. In the 1960s, the attitude was that if a girl was “stupid enough to get herself pregnant,” then “she deserved what she got,” and by the way, “boys will be boys.” It usually came down to “he said, she said” when it came to who the father was, with the occasional shotgun wedding.
Fast-forward to today. With the possibility of Roe being overturned, we should consider the third element. Every abortion has three. There is the provider, the young woman, and the guy who contributed the sperm. With today’s DNA, technology, we know exactly who the father is. It’s time that the third element is held responsible for creating a life that he doesn’t want. So let’s consider punishment options.
Eighteen years in prison at hard labor? Perhaps that will make young men think twice. Nah, who am I kidding. Plus, prison costs money. How about 18 years of probation working 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in a child-care facility providing daycare so that single moms can go to school, and work to take care of their kids. I like that idea. I’m sure the anti-abortion activists will gladly fund child care facilities and provide “free” services.
Now there is nothing I would like more than to see every pregnancy carried to term and every child to grow up in a loving home. It’s time to step up and take responsibility. Hold the third element responsible.
— Robert W. Lane
Palmer
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.