Long Island Coalition for Life, Inc.
Oratory Contest
Pro-Life Speech on Abortion
by Jessica Abejar
2006
According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, approximately 1,370,000 abortions occur annually in the U.S. The majority of these women who have an abortion are young, 19% of them teenagers. Sixty-seven percent are unmarried women. Many women don't want the responsibility of having a child or feel they are not ready; 25.5% of women decide to have an abortion to postpone childbearing, 21.3% of women cannot afford caring for a baby, and 14.1% of women have an issue with their partner such as a relationship problem or a partner who does not want a baby. Other women feel too young (12.2%), other women don't want to bring a stop to their education or career (10.8%), other women don't want any or more children (7.9%), and other women have an abortion for fetal health reasons (3.3%) or maternal health reasons (2.8%).
I could stand here all day spoonfeeding you statistics. All I would be doing is giving you numbers, numbers you have probably heard many times, of gruesome facts and tragic stories. But no, I am not here to give you just numbers and facts; I am here to present my own views, a teenager's opinions on abortion. I am here to give you something in hopes of influencing you and the world. This is a story ...
Once upon a time, there were a boy and a girl who thought they were in love. Halfway through high school and deep into a serious relationship, they "decided" to have sex. It seemed almost perfect. But who knew reality and perfection could be two different things. The young girl found out she was pregnant and was devastated. She was terrified to tell anyone especially her boyfriend, and even worse, her parents. Eventually, she told her boyfriend. He was lost for words but would soon tell her that he would support her no matter what. So they had to decide: to abort the baby or keep the baby?
This story is what it is: a story. However, this story is reality each year for nearly eight hundred thousand teens across the nation. When it comes to the decision between abortion and keeping it, a young woman should always choose life. She must not let emotions keep her from making the right decision. She should face the facts. Yes, the facts, and I don't mean more statistics or witty slogans on bumper stickers either. I mean the facts that have really been there all along, the facts right before our very eyes.
It is obvious that another human being is living in a woman's womb. Proof? Forty-six different chromosomes in a zygote, the first indication of human life. Like any other human being, this soon-to-be-baby begins to grow right away, at a rate different from the mother. As you can see, this fetus, as some may call it, is not a part of the mother's body. They do share her body as the mother and father share in the creation of life. However, the fetus is not just another body part; it is a separate life that is dependent on another human being. Abortion is a violation against life, not a right to a woman's body.
That is scientific proof that abortion is unjustified. Other reasons as to why abortion is truly wrong stem from traditional Christian morals and beliefs.
In the beginning, God created everything. Still to this day, God has created many new beginnings, the beginnings of new life. God has allowed humans to join in this process of procreation, but ultimately, life all comes from God and God alone. God has a plan for each child, and it is not right for us to ruin each plan. As faithful children of God, we must do whatever is needed to fulfill his plan called human life.
Abortion is a decision usually based on emotional factors rather than intellectual reasoning, moral values, and even common sense. Pregnant women feel often too young, too scared, or not ready. They deal with the situation using emotions, which is what got them into this situation. Their emotions led to actions, and with actions must come full responsibility. At this point, we also must not forget that it takes two people to bring life into this world. Usually the parents of an unborn child do not realize the responsibility at hand because they continue to dwell on their emotions. They often feel confused and don't understand what is happening or what to do. Just take a deep breath and listen. An unexpected pregnancy is most nearly what it is: unexpected. You must not let yourself get caught up in the moment. If you think you're too young, too scared, and/ or not ready, and think that abortion is the only way out of "this mess," think again. You can always place the baby up for adoption. Couples who are unable to produce children of their own are more than willing to take great care of your baby. If you're up for the responsibility, you can raise the child yourself. Usually the support of both parents and their families are needed, but most of the time, these children turn out to be pretty good kids. There are a handful of solutions to deal with an unplanned pregnancy, other than abortion.
The most important step, however, is choosing life over abortion; only you can make that choice and no one else can. Try not to be afraid by what other may say. It may be tough at first, but if people truly love you, they will support you in your decision to choose life. And that's what bringing life into this world should be: a symbol of true love.
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