>>>The men have no voice but they are devastated…and complicit.
People kid themselves about the facts. I predict a low turnout for any pro choice activity
Some women who have had abortions will be triggered. The men will be silent as usual.<<<
You are correct, but with a small caveat. I was a young man in the 1970s, when we were promised personal freedom for the simple act of amoral licentiousness. It was a lifestyle promoted by my school, my family, my society, and even some of the religious institutions I dabbled in. Two of my children were killed by abortion, a decision in which I had no say whatsoever. The fact that I was willing, and in fact eager, to be the father of those children did not matter at all. Of course, the situation was clouded by immaturity, depravity, and the attitude of the times in the place where I was at, which is a fancy way of saying that, indeed, you are correct about the damage caused by our embrace of abortion.
I see the echo of those children whenever I look at my son. It doesn’t help that my birthday falls on the day that Roe was decided, which means that annually I get to reflect on my failings and grief.
But here’s the caveat. I’m not silent about this. I tell people about my regrets, the time wasted, the emotions spent on empty relationships, if we can even call those fleeting moments relationships. My son knows that somewhere with God there were two of his brothers or sisters, and this knowledge has caused him to be circumspect and wise beyond his years. I’m a teacher in a high school, and even though health education isn’t my subject, when I am able, I remind students, especially the young women, that all children deserve a stable, complete family, and they should be married before having children. I have been married to my wife for 27 years in a loving, companionate relationship, and hold that up as a goal for the students in the class. Whenever someone tells me that one of the girls who graduated has fallen pregnant, I ask them about the husband, and if that answer isn’t forthcoming, I remind them about the importance of faithful marriage. I have tenure. File a complaint.
One of the unspoken ugly truths about freely available abortion is that it allows men to postpone growing up. That first pregnancy, when I was 18 years old, was washed away in a Planned Parenthood clinic, and I just continued my wasted life for years before understanding the damage it caused me, let alone the girl I was with and the child we killed. The other abortion happened off stage, with a comment months later about the act. It still causes me shame to consider it. Sadly, a lot of men never get to the shame and grief part, just continuing the endless party, like Hunter Biden without the money or connections.
It’s a fallen world. I’m ashamed of the part I played in it.
“…ugly truths about freely available abortion is that it allows men to postpone growing up.”
The main truth about it culturally, not spirit, is that it is all about enabling males to be 17 year olds for as long as they want. The girls assist to serve that purpose.
Thanks for sharing.
Me? I bought what the nuns told me. And the other dignified women I grew up around. I was the first one to get a cigarette lit in the Catholic school girls room and I went on adventures with the boys. But I was t about to live for their stupid ideas.
I tell people Rachel’s Vineyard is a very good program. They recognize the impact this has on guys.
Thank you. That was a courageous post.