We need to fight the notion that abortion is something shameful, something that we must hide and feel guilty about.
It was also fortunate that I discovered my pregnancy early. If it had been much later, 3 weeks may have been too late to have it done in my province.
I have to admit that I felt very little about it. I did not experience guilt or sadness. Mostly, I felt grateful that I had access to the service, but I also felt that it was my right to have it. I continue to be relieved that I was able to have an abortion when I needed one.
It’s politically charged, yes, but it’s not inherently political. It’s a basic healthcare service and we should be able to talk about it.
I think we are trained to feel guilty, or sad. That being said, I understand that for some women, abortion can be an emotionally difficult experience, and I respect that. At the same time, however, I wonder to what extent these feelings are influenced by the way abortion is treated in the broader society. If we weren’t told that we should feel guilty or sad, and that we might need counseling, and that it might be an emotionally trying experience, would we feel this way at all?
I think that sometimes, we are told we should feel guilty. Why should we?
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