In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, Ohio lawmaker Rick Thompson, a staunch opponent of abortion and co-sponsor of the state’s controversial “heartbeat bill,” was asked about the reasons women might choose to have an abortion. His response was startling: “Well, there’s probably a lot of reasons. I’m not a woman. [Laughs] So I’m just thinking, if I were a woman, why would I want to get… some of it has to do with economics. A lot of it has to do with economics. I don’t know — I’ve never — it’s a question I’ve never even thought about.”
Really? You’ve dedicated much of your career to opposing abortion, yet you’ve never considered why a woman might make such a personal choice? This bill would restrict abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected—often at about six weeks, before many women even realize they are pregnant—and it makes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. It’s perplexing that someone advocating for such significant legislation has not even paused to think about the implications of their actions on women’s lives.
What’s more infuriating is that Thompson’s dismissal of women’s experiences indicates a troubling lack of respect. His tone—especially when he suggests considering a woman’s perspective is a ridiculous notion—reveals how out of touch he is with the realities women face. It’s as if he’s been asked to ponder what a kitchen appliance desires before using it.
You might assume that those behind such extreme legislation would be well-informed about the issues they’re addressing, but that assumption is misguided. In recent years, women have learned that many men trying to regulate their bodies often lack a basic understanding of them. Remember the Idaho representative who, while trying to restrict access to an abortion pill, inquired if doctors could examine a woman’s uterus by having her swallow a camera? It’s shocking how little some of these lawmakers understand about women’s health.
Thompson’s comments during the legislative debate further highlighted his insensitivity. He stated, “What we really need is to give people the incentive to be more responsible and reduce unwanted pregnancies. By the way, the vast majority of abortions are performed on women who were not raped.” Does he genuinely believe that most abortions are the result of carelessness? The notion that women schedule abortions as casually as routine car maintenance is simply absurd.
This stereotype that women use abortions as a form of birth control is a harmful myth. By pushing for “responsibility,” lawmakers like Thompson are not empowering women; they are undermining their autonomy and treating them as if they can’t make informed decisions about their own bodies. This lack of consideration is indicative of a broader ignorance about the complexities of women’s health and rights.
To further explore these topics, check out this insightful resource that delves into the journey of home insemination. For those looking for additional information on pregnancy, March of Dimes provides excellent resources.
In summary, Rick Thompson’s flippant remarks about women’s choices and his apparent disregard for their realities serve as a stark reminder of why men should remain silent on matters of abortion. The lack of empathy and understanding displayed by some lawmakers is alarming and reinforces the need for women to be in control of their own reproductive health.