Editor’s Note:

Emily Bailey, a student at Ferris State University studying Early Childhood Education, sent us the following opinion piece. Her assignment was to write and submit a piece regarding a topic she’s passionate about in the hopes of getting it published. “I chose (the) Oxford Leader as Oxford is my hometown,” she wrote.

Our country has always been divided by differences in politics.

However, it seems as though more recently citizens are more passionate and hostile towards beliefs that are not their own.

It seems as though every aspect of our politics is categorized by either a “liberal viewpoint” or a “conservative viewpoint.” It is due to this rigid line of politics that make it difficult for people to really understand a certain issue. If you are “Liberal” you will side with liberals. If you are “Conservative” you will side with conservatives. Thus, many just don’t take the time to do the research on an issue, but rather just side with their preferred political party.

There is one controversial issue that is often a “hot topic” among both political parties. This topic happens to be the Pro Life vs. Pro Choice debate. If you are Liberal you are Pro Choice. If you are Conservative you are Pro Life. It is just how it is. However, I’d like to point out that this issue isn’t so much a political issue, but a human rights issue. The question remains, “Do you think that the unborn have rights?” If so, please take the time to read this letter.

According to the CNN website, while the number of abortions have decreased, 3,000 abortions are still happening each day. It is an alarmingly high number.

Plus, abortion is not without its risks. Abortion comes with physical and emotional risks. Some of the physical risks include scarring, infection, bleeding, damage to the cervix and other organs, Pelvic Inflammatory disease, incomplete or failed abortion and several other complications, including death.

Abortion also leads to higher risks for certain types of cancers, ectopic pregnancy (when the baby grows outside of the uterus) and Placenta Previa (when the placenta covers part of or all of the mother’s cervix, causing complications in pregnancy and delivery).

Other risks include emotional damage, such as feelings of guilt, depression, regret and PTSD.

Many women are not informed as to how an abortion will take place, what they might endure during and after the procedure, and their other options.

While I personally believe that the unborn should have rights of their own, I do believe that as a community it is our job to provide resources for mothers so that they are well informed and are given the best care.

The Oxford Pregnancy Center provides excellent resources for mothers including information on ALL their options, prenatal care and baby supplies. Many women who are considering abortion may feel fear, shame and even regret about their pregnancy. If we are to say that we speak for the unborn, we also need to speak for the mother.

As a community, I think we should help mothers know that they are not alone.

Providing proper information for women, proper prenatal care and support during and after their pregnancy will help women chose the right option. In the end, if we are to say we are Pro Life, we also must be Pro Mother.

Emily Bailey