Recent polls show that half of Americans consider themselves “pro-choice” on abortion, surpassing the 44% who identify as “pro-life.” This is the first time since 2008 that the pro-choice position has had a statistically significant lead in Americans’ abortion views,
although whether the general election and the speeches of politicians affect the figures is unknown.

Public views on abortion fluctuate over time according to the incidence of anti-abortion violence, legislative efforts to ban “partial-birth abortion” or limit abortion funding, or high profile Supreme Court cases. But there seems to be a broader liberal shift in Americans’ ideology, which is good news.

Nonetheless, with more Americans identifying themselves as pro-choice, women’s rights are under attack at an alarming rate. There has been a wave of provisions related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Nearly 42% of these provisions (332 provisions) seek to restrict access to abortion services; abortion restrictions have been introduced in 43 states by politicianswho claim they want the Federal government out of the lives of ordinary citizens.

I believe that Epicurus respected women and would have viewed this issue as one for the prospective mother alone. No one should have the right to interfere in anything so very personal and so excrutiatingly difficult. Nor do strangers have any idea of the personal, private situation women in this situation. A troublesome number of people stand for liberty and individual choice for themselves, but not for others – and especially not for matters involving sex and the bedroom.