It's what's right

In 1921 -- Margaret Sanger founded the American Birth Control League with this founding statement.


We hold that children should be (1) Conceived in love; (2) Born of the mother's conscious desire; (3) And only begotten under conditions which render possible the heritage of health. Therefore we hold that every woman must possess the power and freedom to prevent conception except when these conditions can be satisfied.


I thought that today
when we are turning our blogs to the topic of reproductive rights
we should get back to the founding principles.


Children should be conceived in love


I love that she started with that statement.  That children should come from love.  A child should never be burden.  A child should never be an inconvenience.  Birth Control allowed women who wanted to have children to plan them.  It allowed women who didn't want to have children to NOT have children.  


Born of the Mother's conscious desire


Wanted.  Every child who was ever rejected -- ever abandoned -- ever adopted -- had to ask themselves.  Why was I not wanted.  and yes -- I want her (or him) -- but it's not the same.  Why did my mother not want ME.  Birth control allows us to reduce unwanted pregnancy 


And only begotten under conditions which render possible the heritage of health


With the ability to provide for that child.  Give the child a healthy environment -- feed our children -- take them to the doctor -- ensure that they are not abused or neglected.  Birth Control protects children.  It protects families.


There are those who would tell you that Birth Control was the first step in the dismantling of the American family.  That it created wanton sexuality - that it is unnatural - that it's against God's will.


But we live in a country where 1 in 5 children go to be hungry every day
we live in a country where over 100,000 children await adoptive homes
and over 400,000 children are in foster care


now


imagine


an America with no birth control
or only birth control for those who can afford it


what does it do to those figures?


how many children are born to mothers who cannot feed them?
how many more are aborted -- assuming that abortion is still an option?
if not
how many illegal adoptions?


I want to live in an America
where children are wanted
where they are conceived in love
where they have enough to eat
where they have parents who love and nurture them


and yes
we don't have that for every child today


but going back to a country without reproductive choices
is the wrong choice


it's not just about reproductive rights
it's about what's right for families
it's about what's right for children


and it's about what's right for America
and it's time to fight for what's right.