Thread by @to_discussion

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON So many common falsehoods to address.

1) A human being is ALWAYS a human being. That's not controversial. What you're describing is "personhood", which applies subjective standards (these vary significantly) a human must meet before attaining protection of their human rights.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON Often, as with abortion, personhood is defined to exclude a subgroup of humans those in power find less valuable in exchange for a personal benefit gained by that groups oppression.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON 2) It is not true that pro-life advocates stop caring about the mother or child after the child's birth. We support a variety of methods of support. As we're not a monolithic group (we agree on protecting humans before birth from harm, but vary widely on other isses),

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON that support encompasses a mix of governmental and non governmental support. Pregnancy Resource Centers continue to provide support post birth. Organizations like @HumanDefenseINI and @letthemliveorg are other examples. @NFP_nursefamily is great too.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily 3) If the mom is in an abusive relationship, an abortion will not end her abuse. Both mom and child should be supported in finding safety. Abandoning the mom to her abuse under the guise of preventing her child's potential abuse isn't helpful.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily 4) Yes, some children go on to face abuse or other difficulties. Preemptively killing children because their future *might* include hardship is not compassionate. There are no studies that show abortion reduces abuse/neglect, but supporting moms and their children does.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily That study came from here if you want to read through it.

nursefamilypartnership.org/about/proven-r…

Supporting moms and their families is more difficult and has more of an upfront cost, but its also more humane and compassionate.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily 5) A mom who chooses against abortion or is legally denied abortion has a few post-birth parenting options. She can be supported as a parent and have help mitigating her challenges, allow the father primary custody, allow a loved one guardianship, or choose open or closed

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily adoption. None of the above involve foster care, which is most often for children who are abused or neglected. Open or closed adoption in this context would take place through an adoption agency. The mom can choose the family her child will be placed with. She can choose to

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily maintain a relationship with her child and her adoptive family, or she can choose not to.

Safe Haven Laws are a last resort option that could lead to foster care. While in foster care the goal for most children is reunification with their parent or other family member.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily A smaller number are available for adoption. Children who come to the foster system via Safe Haven Laws are adoptable often with short waiting times.

Now I do agree that we need to improve our foster system, but harming children who *might* enter one day doesn't accomplish that.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily 6) Nobody is advocating forcing anyone to become pregnant. Most pro-life laws maintain legal abortion for rape/incest victims, which would, of course, include girls below the age of consent. Many teenage parents are successful parents, mine included.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily The elective abortion debate centers on the 93% of abortions that are unrelated to maternal health, fetal health or rape/incest.

@Hope60833958 @c0norfarrell @leapsaw @covesa @LifeGaveyuLEMON @HumanDefenseINI @letthemliveorg @NFP_nursefamily I'll add that its important to recognize that an individual's circumstances are not static. Circumstances change. Drastic solutions to temporary difficulties is often unwise. Supporting women and families past that point of difficulty to a more secure place has broad benefits.