When one thinks of Valentine’s Day, typically roses, chocolates, or a candlelit dinner come to mind. However, for Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards, it’s about abortion.
In a video posted on Twitter, Richards lists things she believes women need for Valentine’s Day. That includes “safe and legal abortion.” How romantic!
At one time, abortion proponents hid behind the slogan “safe, legal and rare” to characterize their support for abortion-on-demand. Now, Planned Parenthood’s CEO openly celebrates abortion, taking a holiday about love and making it about abortion.
True love involves sacrifice. It means we extend a hand to women in difficult circumstances. We support the work of pregnancy resource centers. We offer compassionate solutions that respect the lives of her and her unborn child. And it also means we lend a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on when someone we know confides in us that they had an abortion.
Mother Teresa, whose life embodied selfless love and inspired millions around the world, wrote, “Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love but to use violence to get what they want.”
The violence of abortion is not what women need for Valentine’s Day, or any other day throughout the year. The unborn child, whose life is taken from them, sometimes in excruciating pain, is not the only victim in an abortion. Their mothers are left to bear the loss, many suffering incomprehensible grief and regret in silence for the rest of their lives.
True love stands with women and their unborn children, working to eliminate the circumstances that make abortion even considerable.
The assertion that abortion is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, particularly when attributed to Planned Parenthood, is a contentious and polarizing statement that reflects divergent perspectives on reproductive rights and healthcare.
Planned Parenthood, as a leading provider of reproductive healthcare services, including abortion, has been at the center of debates surrounding abortion access and women’s rights. While the organization emphasizes a broader spectrum of services, such as contraception, STI testing, cancer screenings, and reproductive health education, abortion is indeed one of the services it provides.
From the perspective of Planned Parenthood and its supporters, access to safe and legal abortion is framed as an essential component of comprehensive reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy. Advocates argue that individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies, including whether to continue a pregnancy, free from undue interference or judgment.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the statement suggesting abortion as the perfect Valentine’s Day gift is likely intended to provoke controversy and criticism, rather than representing Planned Parenthood’s official stance. Such rhetoric is often used by opponents of abortion rights to criticize and undermine organizations like Planned Parenthood, framing them as promoting a callous or insensitive view of human life.
Ultimately, the debate over abortion and its place in society extends far beyond Valentine’s Day or any other specific occasion. It revolves around deeply held beliefs about morality, human rights, and the role of government in regulating reproductive healthcare. While opinions on this issue may vary widely, it’s essential to approach the discussion with empathy, understanding, and respect for differing perspectives, recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of the topic at hand.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
