One of the most persistent arguments from the pro-choice camp is the notion that making abortion illegal will force women into dangerous “back alley” abortions, resulting in thousands of deaths. This argument plays on fear and misinformation, but it’s crucial to dissect the facts and understand the reality behind these claims.
The Myth of the Dangerous Back Alley Abortions
Pro-choice advocates often warn that if abortion is made illegal, women will resort to unsafe procedures, leading to high mortality rates. This myth originated during the time when Roe v. Wade was in the spotlight in America. As the landmark decision was debated and eventually passed in 1973, pro-abortion activists amplified the narrative that thousands of women would die from dangerous, illegal abortions if the procedure remained unlawful. This language and argument have stuck around all these years, but it was false back then and is even more false today. While some illegal abortions did occur, the narrative that women were dying by the thousands from these procedures before Roe v. Wade is a proven fabrication.
The Truth Revealed by Bernard Nathanson
Dr. Bernard Nathanson, a former abortionist and co-founder of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), provides a critical perspective on this issue. After his conversion to the pro-life cause, Nathanson revealed the deceptive tactics used by the abortion rights movement. In his book, “Aborting America,” he confessed, “When we spoke of the number of deaths from illegal abortions, it was always 5,000 to 10,000 a year. I confess that I knew the figures were totally false, and I suppose the others did too. But in the morality of our revolution, it was a useful figure, widely accepted. The overriding concern was to get the laws eliminated, and anything within reason that had to be done was permissible.”
The Real Statistics
In reality, the numbers were far lower. According to Nathanson, in 1967, the federal government reported only 160 deaths from illegal abortions. By the last year before Roe v. Wade, in 1972, the total was only 39 deaths. These numbers starkly contrast the inflated figures propagated by the pro-choice narrative.
Examining the Argument’s Logic
The argument that we need to keep abortion legal to prevent dangerous illegal abortions is flawed at its core. It essentially suggests that because some people die while attempting to perform illegal acts, the state should make those acts safe and legal. This reasoning can be applied to other scenarios to expose its absurdity. For example, should we legalize bank robbery to protect the lives of robbers who might get injured or killed during their crimes? Of course not.
Conclusion
The myth of the back alley abortion is a powerful, yet deceptive tool used by the pro-choice movement to instill fear and garner support. By understanding the facts and recognizing the flawed logic in this argument, we can better advocate for the protection of unborn lives and the empowerment of women to make life-affirming choices.
The pro-life movement believes in the dignity and strength of women, trusting that, with the right support and resources, they will choose life over death. Let’s spread the truth and dispel the myths that have long clouded this critical issue.
References
- Nathanson, B. (1979). Aborting America.
- Federal Government Report on Illegal Abortion Deaths, 1967.
- Federal Government Report on Illegal Abortion Deaths, 1972.
- Nathanson, B. (1979). Aborting America.
