Choice is quite an important word in society today. It’s used so often—especially when it comes to the issue of abortion--we all know what it means, don’t we? This word has been utilized, lionized and canonized by those who promote the ending of pregnancies.
And “choice” is not a word to be misused beyond our culture’s definition, or one will be ostracized.
As readers may know from my column of last week however, I’m one of those grumpy codgers who has a penchant for getting things right. So for kicks, here is how Merriam-Webster defines Choice:
The act of choosing; the act of picking or deciding between two or more possibilities.
The opportunity or power to choose between two or more possibilities; the opportunity or power to make a decision.
A range of things that can be chosen.
When we talk of unplanned pregnancies then, let’s look at all the choices one might have. Two choices seem obvious: Choosing life for a child; or choosing to end that life. But those are not the only choices, by a long shot.
Actually, choosing life brings into play not one, but four various options—because once life is chosen, one must also choose how to value and nurture the life of a child. The four life-giving options are adoption, single-parenting, co-parenting and marriage.
Tweet this: Actually, choosing life brings into play not one, but four various options... @KirkWalden
PHOs assist with all four of these options through parenting classes, mentoring, material assistance and much more. It would take volumes to go through what PHOs across this country and around the world offer, all in an effort to strengthen families and bring hope to a new life.
The fifth option of course, is abortion. To Merriam-Webster, abortion is “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.”
This definition is exactly the type of data PHOs provide to clients. This includes accurate information on embryonic and fetal development—many times through ultrasound—so that a client can make an informed choice (there’s that word again) on whether to abort a pregnancy.
So who provides choice? PHOs provide assistance and referrals for four of five (80%) options and information on the fifth. Meaning then, that we provide 100% of options to our clients.
I know; those who disagree will tell me that if PHOs don’t provide abortion, it doesn’t count. My contention? PHOs are a powerful check on the abortion monopoly. PHOs provide all abortion information so the buyer can beware. We need PHOs in this world, so that more than just the seller’s voice (i.e., Planned Parenthood and the abortion lobby) is heard.
Looking at this another way, if a client comes to a PHO determined to choose life, it’s fair to say that 100% of the time, said client will receive either services or referrals to assist in this choice. Should a client be determined to end a pregnancy, 100% of the time she will gather information so that her choice is an informed one. Before buying a car, don’t we want to know the pros and cons regarding our chosen vehicle? Why should we do less when a human life is involved?
And though PHOs aren’t thrilled by this fact, it is also true that some clients entering a PHO determined to end a pregnancy follow through on this choice. Is this number just a few percentage points? 20%? 30%? More? We don’t know, but it happens.
So if PHOs provide 100% of pregnancy options, how is Planned Parenthood doing?
In its 2013-2014 Annual Report, Planned Parenthood notes these numbers:
- 327,653 “Abortion Procedures”
- 1,440,495 “Emergency Contraception Kits”
- 18,864 “Prenatal Services”
- 1,880 “Adoption Referrals”
The report does not tell us what a “Prenatal Service” might be. Is it an exam? Or is someone only handing out a few vitamins and sending a client out the door?
Is an “adoption referral” loving counsel and support? Or a pamphlet with an accompanying shrug of the shoulders?
We don’t know.
What we do know is these are numbers provided by Planned Parenthood. And these numbers tell us that if a woman comes into a PP affiliate either pregnant or worried about a pregnancy, she has a 98.8% chance of receiving a life-ending service.
Planned Parenthood may tell us all of its clients receive counsel on all options. My response? “One. Point. Two.” As in 1.2% of clients are even offered a service that might help them choose life.
And remember, an adoption pamphlet doesn’t mean a client chooses life; she may go ahead with an abortion procedure just minutes later. We don’t know.
Therefore, the next time someone starts to tell me abortion centers provide choice, my chin is going to receive quite a bruising . . . from my jaw dropping to the floor.
At least PHOs are honest. The hope of PHOs—which we don’t hide--is that those who come to one of our offices decide to upon one of the 80% of choices which lead to life.
But make no mistake, we provide accurate information on all choices. Our information may not be what abortion clinics want told, but it is accurate.
Tweet this: Choice is our word. We own it. And we’re keeping it. @KirkWalden
As for the Planned Parenthoods of this world, when 98.8% of your clientele pick one product over 80% of alternate options, honesty is being pushed out the back door, replaced by slick salesmanship.
PHOs are attacked over and over for being “anti-choice.” It’s a phrase we hear over and over again. Here’s the truth: This is a lie.
Choice is our word. We own it. And we’re keeping it.
