Women and Hubris

The decision to have sex is between a woman and a man. The decision to have an abortion is between women and God. So says Detroit Free Press writer Rochelle Riley, in response to the recent events in the Michigan Legislature, events which which have supposedly taken freedom of speech away from women in the state. The thousands who appeared in Lansing yesterday certainly seemed well aware of the right, and well capable of expressing it.

But as we said here a few days ago, this isn't about freedom of speech. It's about abortion, which even Ms. Riley admits in something of a backhanded manner in a recent column. The decision to have sex is between a man and a woman. The decision to have an abortion is between a woman and God.

We do not care to speculate as to the nature and extent of such a discussion between God and a woman who has had an abortion, except to say that we would just as soon not be around for it. Still, back here on Earth, would the decision to have the baby be seen as only between a woman and God? Or would the woman expect that the father of the child would contribute to the raising of the child if she elected to have her? Of course she would; indeed, daddy would likely be hauled into court if he balked. The trouble herein is really twofold. On the one hand, the father is told that, although he consented to sex too and as such can claim the moral right of fatherhood afterwards with all that that entails, he nonetheless has no such rights if mother wants an abortion. This is truly a deceit, when you think about it. He participated freely in the act yet is essentially denied a say in the results of the act. He gave of himself and yet expected to sign off on the effect.

Which leads to point number two. We are told that women should never be treated as objects or mere vessels. And they should not; we say so emphatically and without reserve. Their dignity as human beings commands as much. Yet we seem, or, at least, the Rochelle Rileys of the world appear to think, that men can be treated as mere objects of a woman's whim. They can have relations with a woman, they can be used as a mere sex objects, after which their opinion may be readily discarded.

Be careful, ladies, should you really want a world which disregards men so easily. This is a world which has legislated against things such as rape, something which men in power have done to help protect your dignity as women and for which they are not harangued against even though it involves only a violation against women. You didn't appear to mind laws about your bodies then.

It is dangerous, women of Michigan, to hold yourselves in such isolation. You do not want to be guilty of the very hubris of which you accuse the men-folk.