There is something magical when a woman hears: you are going to be a mother. What the SCOTUS draft revealed is a twist on that theme: you HAVE to be a mother. Does not matter if you are 14. Does not matter if a one-night stand had slipped a pill into your drink. Does not matter if your blood pressure is too high and your doctor fears this pregnancy could kill you. Raped? Incest victim? Abused wife? It does not matter.

Enforced pregnancy does not make sense on so many levels. Granted, emerging life in the womb is worthy of healthy debate: personal debate, not legislative. Embryo, fetus, unborn baby, viability? It is complicated. What is clear is that a woman did not get pregnant by herself. A man was instrumental; he just does not have to carry it beyond his sperm deposit. If he did, would we even be having this conversation?

If you think life begins at conception, period, then educate, do not legislate. Personal freedom in this country is a treasure. Taking this very personal choice away from a woman is just wrong on so many levels. And free choice should matter.

Teresa Norris

Mystic