Things to ponder - Part II
Things to ponder – Part II
The reason I’m concerned about women’s inequality is because of the real human costs - not necessarily the politics, but yes, politics is why it exists and has to be a part of the conversation. Let me show you what I mean.
1. Forced birth has real, measurable consequences - for both mother and child
A decade long study from UCSF followed women who were denied abortions and compared them to women who received them. The differences weren’t ideological — they were human.
Women denied abortions were more likely to:
• fall into poverty
• face unemployment
• experience debt and bankruptcy
• suffer serious health complications
• remain in violent relationships
• struggle to care for their existing children
Children born from denied abortions were more likely to:
• be born into poverty
• experience developmental delays
• face instability and trauma
• suffer neglect
This isn’t about politics. It’s about people, but again, it is tied to politics.
2. Unwanted children face higher risks of harm
This is uncomfortable, but it’s real.
Unwanted children are more likely to:
• be abused or neglected
• enter the foster system
• experience chronic stress and PTSD
• struggle academically and socially
Not because mothers are “bad.” Because stress + poverty + lack of support creates conditions where harm becomes more likely.
3. The foster care system is already overwhelmed
Forced births increase:
• children entering foster care
• children stuck in unstable homes
• children aging out without support
And those children face:
• higher homelessness
• higher incarceration
• higher mental illness
• lower lifetime earnings
These are lifelong consequences — not political talking points.
4. The economic cost is enormous
Denying abortion access increases:
• welfare spending
• Medicaid costs
• housing assistance
• food assistance
• foster care costs
• healthcare costs
• lost tax revenue
• lost workforce participation
Women denied abortions are four times more likely to live below the poverty line.
Poverty isn’t a moral failing. It’s a public cost.
5. The psychological cost is profound
Women denied abortions experience:
• higher anxiety
• higher depression
• higher PTSD
• higher stress
• lower long term well being
Children raised in high stress homes experience:
• impaired brain development
• higher chronic illness
• higher mental health disorders
These are biological realities.
6. The societal cost is generational
When a woman loses autonomy:
• her economic future changes
• her children’s opportunities change
• her family’s stability changes
• her community absorbs the strain
• her future children inherit the consequences
Trauma compounds. Poverty compounds. Inequality compounds.
This isn’t about sides, but it is about sides. It’s about suffering.
7. This is why inequality matters
This is why I care about women’s equality. Not because of politics, but because inequality produces real human harm - for women, for children, for families, and for society. That’s why I speak up.
Politics plays a role, a big role in equality, but the point is that women and their unwanted children are harmed and society is the lesser for it.
The reason I’m concerned about women’s inequality is because of the real human costs - not necessarily the politics, but yes, politics is why it exists and has to be a part of the conversation. Let me show you what I mean.
1. Forced birth has real, measurable consequences - for both mother and child
A decade long study from UCSF followed women who were denied abortions and compared them to women who received them. The differences weren’t ideological — they were human.
Women denied abortions were more likely to:
• fall into poverty
• face unemployment
• experience debt and bankruptcy
• suffer serious health complications
• remain in violent relationships
• struggle to care for their existing children
Children born from denied abortions were more likely to:
• be born into poverty
• experience developmental delays
• face instability and trauma
• suffer neglect
This isn’t about politics. It’s about people, but again, it is tied to politics.
2. Unwanted children face higher risks of harm
This is uncomfortable, but it’s real.
Unwanted children are more likely to:
• be abused or neglected
• enter the foster system
• experience chronic stress and PTSD
• struggle academically and socially
Not because mothers are “bad.” Because stress + poverty + lack of support creates conditions where harm becomes more likely.
3. The foster care system is already overwhelmed
Forced births increase:
• children entering foster care
• children stuck in unstable homes
• children aging out without support
And those children face:
• higher homelessness
• higher incarceration
• higher mental illness
• lower lifetime earnings
These are lifelong consequences — not political talking points.
4. The economic cost is enormous
Denying abortion access increases:
• welfare spending
• Medicaid costs
• housing assistance
• food assistance
• foster care costs
• healthcare costs
• lost tax revenue
• lost workforce participation
Women denied abortions are four times more likely to live below the poverty line.
Poverty isn’t a moral failing. It’s a public cost.
5. The psychological cost is profound
Women denied abortions experience:
• higher anxiety
• higher depression
• higher PTSD
• higher stress
• lower long term well being
Children raised in high stress homes experience:
• impaired brain development
• higher chronic illness
• higher mental health disorders
These are biological realities.
6. The societal cost is generational
When a woman loses autonomy:
• her economic future changes
• her children’s opportunities change
• her family’s stability changes
• her community absorbs the strain
• her future children inherit the consequences
Trauma compounds. Poverty compounds. Inequality compounds.
This isn’t about sides, but it is about sides. It’s about suffering.
7. This is why inequality matters
This is why I care about women’s equality. Not because of politics, but because inequality produces real human harm - for women, for children, for families, and for society. That’s why I speak up.
Politics plays a role, a big role in equality, but the point is that women and their unwanted children are harmed and society is the lesser for it.
