How Being Denied an Abortion Affects Women

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/19/opinion/letters/abortion-women.html

Version 0 of 1.

To the Editor:

Re “The Abortion Debate and the Physical Costs of Pregnancy,” by Ross Douthat (column, Oct. 6):

I led the Turnaway Study and was quoted extensively in Mr. Douthat’s column. My study compared the lives of women who received a wanted abortion with those who were denied, or “turned away” from getting an abortion — following both groups for five years to see how their life paths diverged.

As Mr. Douthat notes, we found that most women denied abortions eventually reconcile themselves to parenting. But Mr. Douthat glosses over the most important findings from the study.

People who carried unwanted pregnancies to term suffered worse physical health for years to come; in fact, two died from childbirth. Women denied abortions were more likely to live in poverty, along with their children, and to have a hard time covering even basic expenses like food and housing, compared with those able to get their abortions. Not being able to access abortion services curtailed people’s other life goals such as getting a higher education, finding a high-quality romantic relationship and even having intended children later under better circumstances.

Mr. Douthat diminishes the substantial harm done to women’s lives and to the well-being of their existing and future children on the basis of the finding that women are emotionally resilient. The callous argument seems to be that it is OK for the government to force someone to sacrifice their body, their family’s security and their life goals so long as it doesn’t also break their spirit.

Diana Greene FosterOakland, Calif.The writer is a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco.

To the Editor:

It is not surprising that most women denied a wanted abortion did not suffer long-term psychological trauma. Women develop an emotional bond with their fetuses from the very beginning of pregnancy, and regardless of the situation after birth — suffering babies, unwelcome distress, fear, demanding circumstances or radically reformed life plans — a mother’s love is powerful and will dominate the most serious of problems.

This in no way obviates the right to make a free decision about what to do with a form of life that has not yet achieved “personhood.”

John BrodskySwarthmore, Pa.The writer is a retired general practitioner.

To the Editor:

Ross Douthat’s column was a powerful and fascinating read and intellectual exercise. However, the only abortion debate we should be having is whether or not women get to have autonomy over their own bodies, or whether they must be forced to concede control to complete strangers and/or the government.

Nobody I know is pro-abortion. The vital question is about choice.

Nobody should get to choose what a woman does with her body, other than that woman — ideally (but not necessarily) with the support and input from her doctors and intimate people in her life. The idea that a woman should be told what she can and cannot do — by strangers and/or the government — is misogynistic and demeaning.

Nancy S. CohenNew York

To the Editor:

Republicans are hammering Democrats this election season as being soft on crime and failing to control runaway inflation. This is basic gaslighting.

The G.O.P. continues to resist supporting measures that would stem gun violence. They blame the Biden administration for inflation, a worldwide problem. They decried the high cost of gas. Now that it has come down, will they commend President Biden? I think not.

But while inflation will eventually subside, the war that Republicans are waging on women’s rights, voting rights, and free and fair elections will only intensify. Unless Americans — Democrats and Republicans — send a clear message in November that protecting American democracy and basic freedoms is the first priority.

Barry LurieBala Cynwyd, Pa.

To the Editor:

Re “At Least 119 Are Dead, Many of Them Seniors, After Hurricane’s Blitz” (news article, Oct. 8):

How many more older adults need to perish unnecessarily? The stories of disproportionate deaths among the elderly in Hurricane Ian evoke horror, grief and — inexcusably — déjà vu. We heard them after Hurricanes Harvey in 2017, Sandy in 2012 and Katrina in 2005.

A common thread is isolation. Too often, older adults are alone when natural disasters strike. They were discarded by our ageist society long before, and their deaths are lonely, as were their lives.

Emergency preparedness efforts must include building connections across ages at the local level. These relationships become resources that make communities more resilient in the face of diverse threats, from hurricanes to pandemics. For example, studies showed that places with stronger social ties had fewer Covid-19 cases and deaths.

Policymakers, city officials and community organizations should invest in local connections as a preventive strategy, especially with looming climate change. But let’s not forget that each of us can be an agent of change — as residents, neighbors and friends. Reach out and connect; you just might save a life.

Kasley KillamLos AngelesThe writer is the founder of the nonprofit Social Health Labs.

To the Editor:

Re “Congestion Pricing Could Deal a New Blow to Yellow Cabs” (news article, Oct. 11):

As a senior living in the congestion fare zone, I am deeply concerned that I will not be able to find a cab or car service when needed. After 10 p.m. bus service drops dramatically, particularly on holidays and weekends, and subways are not necessarily close enough to one’s destination.

Walks during cold, rainy winter nights are more than unpleasant. Buses, standing room only during peak hours, cannot easily accommodate nonambulatory commuters.

Additionally, I worry about how the world-class hospitals along First Avenue — N.Y.U., the V.A. and Bellevue — will be able to attract the evening and late-night staff needed to maintain quality services (especially the E.R.) when competing with their uptown peers that will not have to deal with the congestion pricing penalty.

Finally, this is akin to creating a sixth borough, separate from the rest of Manhattan and saddled with an additional tax placed on its residents, as surely this fee will be passed along or cab service will be reduced.

Paul WeissmanNew York

To the Editor:

As a disabled Vietnam veteran, I concur with President Biden’s decision to send arms but not troops in support of Ukraine.

I now live in a home of wounded and weakened veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and later conflicts. I now live in a wheelchair and see and hear poorly. I was poisoned by Agent Orange.

I live every day with the cost of war.

Arms support for the courageous people of Ukraine is right and necessary, but we should not put at risk the lives of our own children and grandchildren.

Bruce W. RiderFloresville, Texas