“I have met
thousands and thousands of pro-choice men and women. I have never met anyone who is pro-abortion.” — Hillary Clinton
The above quote from Hillary Clinton may make complete sense and be valid in the United States, where many, particularly conservative Republicans, often make fierce and judgmental arguments on the morality and practice of abortion. However, across the Atlantic in France, the situation and viewpoint on the subject is entirely reversed. As of April 1, 2013, in keeping with President Hollande’s 2012 campaign promise, France has passed a law that requires the national health insurance of the country to reimburse the full cost of the procedure to women of all ages. This new law greatly expands the access to abortions and also offers free and anonymous birth control to teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18.
The aim of this new law in offering free contraceptives to young women and making abortion more attainable is reducing the rate of unwanted pregnancies. Needless to say, there are also economic factors that were taken into consideration in passing this new law. Studies show that unwanted pregnancies and childbirth have risen in low income and often immigrant households where the conversations of sex education are limited if not completely non-existent and taboo. The new law has been passed also in consideration of these low-income families.
The passing of this new law, however, may be as complex and controversial for many as the subject of abortion itself. On the one hand, there is the simplicity and the acceptance by society of a procedure that may have been (and still is in so many parts of the world) seen as controversial, shameful and difficult to finance if necessary. In passing this law, there is no doubt that whether it is considered such things or not, if the need arises, a woman has the access to one of the world’s best healthcare systems to provide for her the care that she desires and needs. It is in a many ways, validating and showing very high regards to a woman’s choice, which is the subject of fiery debates still today in the United States.
Furthermore, France being a country with a majority Catholic population, has clearly demonstrated what many countries are still struggling to do or simply fail to recognise: the importance of the separation of the Church and state. Although there is no doubt that many feel the moral and religious weight in accepting such a decision as law, what can clearly be seen here is the understanding that what one believes from his or her religious teachings and what is needed to govern are two entirely separate matters, respecting secularism. This is very often where the United States fails to draw the logical line, causing lawmakers to go overboard with their ‘holier than thou’ speeches on such issues as abortion. It is obviously questionable what mostly elderly, overly-conservative male lawmakers actually know about the choices a woman makes and why,
The other side of the coin to the new French law is the more difficult side. One has to consider what the effects will be on the youth. France is one of the most sexually liberated countries in the world. There are no taboos whatsoever placed on the youth from society although how individual families view the subject of sexual liberation of their children is an entirely different matter. One area of deep concern may be the attitudes of the youth on accidental pregnancies. The system has just made it much easier to perform and afford abortions for unwanted pregnancies. Will it eventually mean that young people adopt a more nonchalant attitude of possible pregnancies knowing that abortion has become that easy and without any social stigma? Only time will tell.
Another area of concern is the psychological aspect of an abortion. By all accounts, it is not merely a physical procedure. The psychological factors that are involved before and most certainly after can be traumatising and very psychologically draining on a woman’s physical and mental health. Taking abortion lightly because it is one hundred percent legal and free is something that possibly no woman is able to do. France’s minister of health said herself that abortion is “never a trivial act for women.”
There is also growing concern that free abortions will increase the instances of abortion. This is in general a wrong perception. Access to free, safe, legal abortions will hopefully not increase pregnancy terminations in the long run. It is not an issue that becomes more attractive when free. It is never an attractive choice and a woman only chooses it when she needs it. This is the reason the government should be concerned with providing safe and affordable access to all aspects of women health issues.
Now if only the United States could learn from this…
The writer is an English and French professor and columnist residing in the USA and France. She can be reached at [email protected]