Do recent events allude to societal regression?

People across the country have been in an uproar regarding the state of Texas’s new abortion laws; those individuals include my peers, professors and coworkers. For those not aware, the new legislation prevents women in the state from receiving access to abortions as early as six weeks into their pregnancy.

The topic is controversial, but the discussion around the issue is crucial because of its popularity in the media and its ability to instantly provoke other questions when brought up in a classroom or workplace.

Some examples of questions I’ve heard just in the past few days are “How many states will follow suit?” and “Was this an act meant for a regression in women’s rights or is it purely to protect the unborn?” Finally, “what inflamed such a drastic change?”

There are over 100 abortion clinics in Texas currently, which is, even considering the size, a large number for an area suddenly claiming to be vastly pro-life. I’m not insinuating this assumption is a fact, it’s just a strange development.

It also seems odd there is no information regarding foster care, adoption or mental health services for the youth trending if the pro-life movement is continually advancing. If one is to value a child’s life, should they not also value the quality of life the child might receive? There doesn’t seem to be an answer for this question, but it causes questions to arise regarding the general integrity behind the legislation.

Because Texas has a large influence on other states, it would not be shocking if state governments with similar ideals fell in line. Whatever side you fall on, it’s important to analyze the effects and motives behind laws which fall backward rather than innovate and move forward.

If this is to be a common pattern in the future, we can hope more legislation will pass to ease the stress on mothers and those children from broken homes who are waiting in limbo for adoption in the foster care system.