Women’s rights for girls

We use the term “women’s rights,” yet seemingly forget the journey women take through their girlhood and teen years before passing into that reality of womanhood. That’s achieved, perhaps, around age 18? So, what to do with the vast majority of rape and incest victims who are 17 and younger? They exist!

When I was a nurse, my youngest incest victim was 11. She was four to five months pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital for chicken pox complications, and spontaneously aborted. My youngest pregnant teen? Far too many to count after 22 years and, no, most were not rape or incest victims, only teens who had made a life-altering decision.

Our thinking must broaden to include these younger “women” bearing babies, and also include how that affects society and the economy. These are not separate issues. A pregnant girl or teenager who keeps her baby has a long and lasting effect on society and its economy.

Abolishing all abortions, and restricting access to birth control and sex education has proved to be very costly both to the individual in particular and to society in general.

Suzi Johns RN (retired)

Spokane