Abortion Vacuums

Abortion is one of, if not the most, challenging, divisive, and controversial issue facing modern society. One aspect of the actual abortion process that has been seemingly ignored by both sides of the debate is the agony, trauma, and even depression that women face prior to and following an abortion. As Inga Muscio testifies, “For two weeks, there was a gaping wound in my body. I could hardly walk for five days.” (Listen Up, p.114) This wound Muscio speaks of is both a literal and figurative one. Some assume that women are hasty or even reckless in their decision to have an abortion, but Judith Arcana argues that such is rarely the case…“Not one of them—even those who were themselves children—took her decision lightly or carelessly. Every woman who chooses to abort a pregnancy is justified in her decision. Every woman who has an abortion knows what it means, and lives in that meaning the best way she can.” (Abortion is a Motherhood Issue, p.226) Most women choose abortion because they realize that they are not in a position to be a suitable mother, and therefore the child would be worse off being brought into world by an unfit mother. Muscio tells us that “Abortion Sucks,” (Listen Up, p.112) so why else would a woman choose to participate in a process characterized as, “willingly and voluntarily submit[ting] to excruciating torture.” (Listen Up, p. 114) The technology used in abortions is a product of western medicine, an institution created and controlled by patriarchy. The vacuum that Muscio tells us about is merely one of the master’s tools. And even though abortion was legalized by the Supreme Court, arguably the master’s strongest tool, this alleged victory was only a veiled triumph for women’s rights. Women will never be truly empowered and free until society’s perception of abortion, as well as the means and general atmosphere of abortion is drastically altered.