I was 17 when I found out I was pregnant.  I was too young to make smart decisions about contraceptives and too young to drink.  Do you think I was ready to raise a child? 

Though my mom had died a year before and my family believed that the unborn fetus inside me could have her spirit attached to it, I made the decision to have an abortion - to give myself a chance at a better future, one in which I could make better decisions about my career, life, health and finances.

It was the best decision I ever made, and I do not regret it - now at age 31.  I am not married, I have an apartment I can barely afford in this economy, and a job that pays me less than I am worth.  If I had a child, I would be a lot worse off.  I can't imagine how it would be possible to feed and cloth him/her.  I'd be living off welfare and food-stamps.  That's no world to raise a child in!

I believe you should only have children if you are READY and really really want them (and can afford them).  Children require a lot of work and money, and even though a 17 year old may have the support of her family, she is still the mother - the one who must love, care-for and give her life for a baby.  Yet, she hasn't gone to college yet, can't even vote yet!  She's not ready.  No child is.

In this country, we have the freedom of choice.  I believe that a woman's right to choose should not be affected by her government at all, and not really by her family either.  It's HER choice to make her future better for herself.  It's her choice to give herself a chance!  It's her choice not to bring an unwanted baby into a world where money can prevent a baby's chance at a good life.

I don't want my government telling me what I can do; and, if I ever have or adopt kids, I don't want my government telling my daughter what she can do with her body and her future either. 

Adoption is not a moral option either as there are too many unwanted babies, sad and looking for a good life.  Not all of them get adopted.  I don't believe in adding to the problem.

I respect people who are pro-life as it is their decision.  I personally believe a spirit will come back to you when you are ready - whether you abort it or it dies as a child or parent.  I believe in soul families and that we stay together, no matter what!