Berkeley, CA — UC Berkeley students gathered on Sproul Plaza last week to debate the highly controversial issue of abortion, as a leader of the pro-life movement stirred both shouts of support and criticism from the crowd. Organized by Berkeley Students for Life, the rally featured Feminists for Life President Serrin Foster and inspired heated discussion among students and opposing groups.
Foster championed the need for an increase in services for pregnant women and more supportive counseling, explaining that the American social structure is apathetic to young pregnant women.
If the social structure, which currently does not provide enough emotional support to women, were “holistically changed,” fewer women would have abortions, Foster said.
“Abortion is a reflection that we have failed women in America,” she said. “Every woman in America deserves better than an abortion.”
Some students from the National Organization for Women and other abortion supporters reacted passionately to Foster's suggestions and engaged in debate with Foster and members of the pro-life student group. A number of students decried that being “pro-choice” is not equivalent to being pro-abortion, but rather supporting a women's right to make decisions about her body.
“There is a lot that goes into pregnancy,” said UC Berkeley freshman Amanda Matteis. “I don't think anyone should tell anyone what they can (or can't) do with their body.” Matteis pointed out that unwanted pregnancies frequently occur, sometimes as a result of failed contraception or date rape, and said women need to have options in these unfortunate situations.
Part of Feminists for Life's position is derived from the idea that the pro-life movement follows the spirit of the early women's rights movement. Some of the most well known women's rights leaders, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Mary Wollstonecraft, were pro-life.
The legalization of abortion goes against the doctrine of feminism, Foster said. It allows more men to abandon their wives or girlfriends, because with the legalization of abortion, they can say, “It's your problem.”
But Walter Rader, a UC Berkeley student and member of the National Organization of Women disagreed with Foster, pointing to a different solution to the problem of men deserting the women they impregnate. “I don't think that criminalizing abortion is the answer,” he said. “We need to make men responsible.” Enforcing the payment of child support from biological fathers is a step in the right direction, Rader added.
While pro-life and abortion supporters remained firmly resolute in their beliefs, students from both ends of the spectrum agreed that UC Berkeley needs to improve its support structure for pregnant women.
Day care services, better counseling, improved housing options and maternity insurance should be more available to college women, Foster said.
“I completely agree we need more options for women, and the services that Foster talked about are necessary,” Rader said.
Despite the lone consensus among opposing viewpoints, some said the event illustrated the limited exchange of ideas at the university.
“On the Berkeley campus, we advocate free speech,” said Berkeley Students for Life Vice President Elizabeth Maier. “But often times, we are only willing to listen to one side of it.”
Feminists For Life is a nonpartisan organization that opposes all forms of abortion and is also against assisted suicide, capital punishment and the exploitation of women and children.
This article was featured in the Daily Californian.
(This article courtesy of Steven Ertelt and the Pro-Life Infonet email newsletter. For more information or to subscribe go to www.prolifeinfo.org or email infonet@prolifeinfo.org.)
