Pro-Life Essay Contest
WINNERS 2023
William Seele - First Place, Senior Division
Grade 9 - Homeschool
How would you respond if the majority of your gender's beliefs and behaviors fundamentally oppose the way you were raised, the beliefs you hold, and the actions you take? This is my situation.
Through the recent push for gender equality, the notion that it is a man's responsibility to protect the dignity and livelihood of women and children has faded. Through the development of technology and the peaceful times of this generation, most men have been caught in a life of consumption and selfishness, forsaking many of the qualities manhood used to imply, such as protecting and leading others.
Although everyone agrees that most men do not respect women and children, I believe that I should convince my fellow men to do so and to help make abortion unthinkable while others say I should not. I maintain the opinion that ot is my duty to convince other men to respect women and protect children for three reasons.
The first reason is that I have the utmost respect for women. In the procreative process, men have the ability to either encourage pregnancy or prevent one. It is our responsibility to never allow a pregnancy to take place in a situation where abortion will be considered. It is also our duty to know the morality behind and consequences of abortion so that we can teach women the truth behind pro-choice ideology. Finally, it is every man's responsibility to be supportive of women through pregnancy, labor, and parenthood.
The second reason is that I respect children's right to life and God's commandment that thou shall not kill (Deuteronomy 5:17). It is seriously wrong for men to put their children in circumstances where they are in danger in this way, and the father of every aborted child should be held accountable. Even if we do make that mistake, knowingly or unknowingly, it remains necessary to protect the child. A large reason for many women choosing abortion is that the father abandons the family. All men must be present for their families to prevent this form happening, and also to ensure the health and safety of their family.
The third reason is that it is my duty to spread the truth that has been given to us by God through the Catholic Church. The more men that believe strongly in what the One True God has taught, the more men there will be who can and will protect the unborn and support mothers. We must also be learned in our faith so that we can reassure women who are considering abortion and keep them on the path God has for them. We men have the responsibility to be leaders in our obedience to God's law in every way.
Some people say, however, that it would be wrong for me to try to influence other men to follow me in my belief that it is our duty to respect women and children and help make abortion unthinkable. They argue that to tell a woman that she must go through the painful process of pregnancy and labor is not respectful, but hateful. That is an inadequate argument because respecting women doesn't imply making them comfortable at all costs, it implies that we care for them and their future. An abortion hurts the woman's soul and severely depresses them.
In addition, some lack respect for human life and will say that because a human's life is ridden with disaster, disability, degradation, and death, aborting a baby is not such a terrible thing. This argument is also invalid because God has a plan for every human he creates. The ups and downs of our imperfect life are what perfect us and give us happiness.
Neither of these arguments - that it is hateful to encourage a woman to go through the pain of pregnancy and labor, nor that abortion frees the baby from having to experience the dark realities of human life - would give me sufficient reason to refrain from influencing my fellow men in this way.
I will convince my fellow men to respect women and children because I respect women, I respect children's right to life, and it is my duty to spread the truth that has been given to me by God through the Catholic Church. This issue is hugely important to me because even though the Supreme Court has ruled there is no "right" to abortion in the Constitution, many mothers still experience fear and uncertainty and I want to help make abortion unthinkable.
Through the recent push for gender equality, the notion that it is a man's responsibility to protect the dignity and livelihood of women and children has faded. Through the development of technology and the peaceful times of this generation, most men have been caught in a life of consumption and selfishness, forsaking many of the qualities manhood used to imply, such as protecting and leading others.
Although everyone agrees that most men do not respect women and children, I believe that I should convince my fellow men to do so and to help make abortion unthinkable while others say I should not. I maintain the opinion that ot is my duty to convince other men to respect women and protect children for three reasons.
The first reason is that I have the utmost respect for women. In the procreative process, men have the ability to either encourage pregnancy or prevent one. It is our responsibility to never allow a pregnancy to take place in a situation where abortion will be considered. It is also our duty to know the morality behind and consequences of abortion so that we can teach women the truth behind pro-choice ideology. Finally, it is every man's responsibility to be supportive of women through pregnancy, labor, and parenthood.
The second reason is that I respect children's right to life and God's commandment that thou shall not kill (Deuteronomy 5:17). It is seriously wrong for men to put their children in circumstances where they are in danger in this way, and the father of every aborted child should be held accountable. Even if we do make that mistake, knowingly or unknowingly, it remains necessary to protect the child. A large reason for many women choosing abortion is that the father abandons the family. All men must be present for their families to prevent this form happening, and also to ensure the health and safety of their family.
The third reason is that it is my duty to spread the truth that has been given to us by God through the Catholic Church. The more men that believe strongly in what the One True God has taught, the more men there will be who can and will protect the unborn and support mothers. We must also be learned in our faith so that we can reassure women who are considering abortion and keep them on the path God has for them. We men have the responsibility to be leaders in our obedience to God's law in every way.
Some people say, however, that it would be wrong for me to try to influence other men to follow me in my belief that it is our duty to respect women and children and help make abortion unthinkable. They argue that to tell a woman that she must go through the painful process of pregnancy and labor is not respectful, but hateful. That is an inadequate argument because respecting women doesn't imply making them comfortable at all costs, it implies that we care for them and their future. An abortion hurts the woman's soul and severely depresses them.
In addition, some lack respect for human life and will say that because a human's life is ridden with disaster, disability, degradation, and death, aborting a baby is not such a terrible thing. This argument is also invalid because God has a plan for every human he creates. The ups and downs of our imperfect life are what perfect us and give us happiness.
Neither of these arguments - that it is hateful to encourage a woman to go through the pain of pregnancy and labor, nor that abortion frees the baby from having to experience the dark realities of human life - would give me sufficient reason to refrain from influencing my fellow men in this way.
I will convince my fellow men to respect women and children because I respect women, I respect children's right to life, and it is my duty to spread the truth that has been given to me by God through the Catholic Church. This issue is hugely important to me because even though the Supreme Court has ruled there is no "right" to abortion in the Constitution, many mothers still experience fear and uncertainty and I want to help make abortion unthinkable.
Samantha Gumpper - Second Place (tie), Senior Division
Grade 11 - Liberty High School
On Friday, June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade. This ruling has caused widespread fear throughout the United States for many mothers. Today, abortion is a highly debated and controversial subject. The promise that abortion will set women free has unfortunately led many women into believing such lies. As a society, we need to find ways to support women and work towards making abortion unthinkable. To do this we must transform the mind and heart to promote a culture of life.
To make abortion unthinkable we can first start to provide support for women who are considering abortions. Many women who are considering abortion often think that have no other choice but to do so. They may not have the resources or support to raise a child. However, allowing women to have support can often change a woman's mind while considering an abortion. Providing support may look different. The support may include counseling, improved access to prenatal care, and creating a society that values and supports motherhood overall. Providing the opportunity to have support can change a woman's mind about having an abortion and make it unthinkable to do so.
Another way to make abortion unthinkable is to create a culture that values and respects all human life. This means promoting a culture of life that recognizes the dignity and worth of every human being. Everyone has a purpose and it is important to know your worth to see the worth of others. Our true worth is defined by who we are in the eyes of God, not materialistic items or power. Nowadays, many have fallen away from that belief and have started to resort to materialism to "find" their worth. During an abortion, there are always at least two victims, the mother and the child. Abortion inflicts wounds on the mother physically and emotionally causing their dignity to be stripped away. Many women experience extreme guilt as well. Creating a culture of life means helping women find their worth and dignity, not taking it away from them. It also means proving not one single life matters more than another because human life is sacred.
Finally, attending marches and protests is a powerful way to make abortion unthinkable. By participating in these events, we can raise awareness about the value of human life and advocate for the protection of the unborn. Coming together with like-minded individuals who share the same belief that life has value can create a sense of community and inspire more individuals to take action and make a difference. Marches and protests also allow for the opportunity to engage in conversations with people who have opposing views and help eliminate misconceptions and result in constructive conversations that lead to positive change. Pro-life marches provide a platform for individuals to share their personal stories and experiences related to abortion. These stories serve as a powerful reminder of the humanity of the unborn and the devastating impact that abortion can have on individuals and families. Attending marches and protests is an effective way to make abortion unthinkable.
In closing, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there has been an increase in widespread debates and controversial protests due to fear about what will be next. However, we need to continue working to make abortion unthinkable. Altering the mind and heart to encourage a culture of life will work towards making abortion unthinkable. Supporting expecting mothers, attending marches and protests, and creating the mindset that all human life is sacred is just a few of the many ways we can participate in our community to make abortion unimaginable.
To make abortion unthinkable we can first start to provide support for women who are considering abortions. Many women who are considering abortion often think that have no other choice but to do so. They may not have the resources or support to raise a child. However, allowing women to have support can often change a woman's mind while considering an abortion. Providing support may look different. The support may include counseling, improved access to prenatal care, and creating a society that values and supports motherhood overall. Providing the opportunity to have support can change a woman's mind about having an abortion and make it unthinkable to do so.
Another way to make abortion unthinkable is to create a culture that values and respects all human life. This means promoting a culture of life that recognizes the dignity and worth of every human being. Everyone has a purpose and it is important to know your worth to see the worth of others. Our true worth is defined by who we are in the eyes of God, not materialistic items or power. Nowadays, many have fallen away from that belief and have started to resort to materialism to "find" their worth. During an abortion, there are always at least two victims, the mother and the child. Abortion inflicts wounds on the mother physically and emotionally causing their dignity to be stripped away. Many women experience extreme guilt as well. Creating a culture of life means helping women find their worth and dignity, not taking it away from them. It also means proving not one single life matters more than another because human life is sacred.
Finally, attending marches and protests is a powerful way to make abortion unthinkable. By participating in these events, we can raise awareness about the value of human life and advocate for the protection of the unborn. Coming together with like-minded individuals who share the same belief that life has value can create a sense of community and inspire more individuals to take action and make a difference. Marches and protests also allow for the opportunity to engage in conversations with people who have opposing views and help eliminate misconceptions and result in constructive conversations that lead to positive change. Pro-life marches provide a platform for individuals to share their personal stories and experiences related to abortion. These stories serve as a powerful reminder of the humanity of the unborn and the devastating impact that abortion can have on individuals and families. Attending marches and protests is an effective way to make abortion unthinkable.
In closing, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there has been an increase in widespread debates and controversial protests due to fear about what will be next. However, we need to continue working to make abortion unthinkable. Altering the mind and heart to encourage a culture of life will work towards making abortion unthinkable. Supporting expecting mothers, attending marches and protests, and creating the mindset that all human life is sacred is just a few of the many ways we can participate in our community to make abortion unimaginable.
Andrew Brown - Second Place (tie), Senior Division
Grade 10 - Homeschool
The Fight for Life Continues
The overturning of Roe .v Wade was a great victory battling abortion. States now have a grave responsibility to protect the life and dignity of every human person. St. John Paul I said, "Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!" Innocent lives continue to be taken, women continue to feel fear and uncertainty, and the battle of making abortion unthinkable is far from over.
Offering women constant support in their times of struggles is key in helping make abortion unthinkable. From the Population Research Institute, a recent study from the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons found that, "Nearly three quarters (73.8%) of women with a history of abortion surveyed admitted that they experienced at least subtle forms of pressure to terminate their pregnancies." Women are persistently pressured from society, pushing them towards situations from which are hard to escape.
Women need to be equipped with other loving and life saving choices so that the precious and innocent lives of the unborn babies might be saved. Two of many life affirming organizations include Bethlehem House and Embrace Grace. These organizations provide pregnant mothers with faithful and practical guidance. Reframing adoption into being a heroic choice rather than "giving up the baby," can reduce shame and create a more positive option. In addition to informing women regarding life saving choices, women also deserve adequate information about the risks that abortion may have. According to the World Health Organization, "Around 45% of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97% take place in developing countries."
Prayer throughout the country and the world is truly needed to help make abortion unthinkable. Prayer is one of the most powerful and peaceful ways to help end the sickening crisis of abortion and to turn hearts and minds. Stated by Pro-Life Action Ministries, "Prayer is our greatest weapon in the fight to end abortion. Prayer is a simple yet powerful act that anyone, young or old, new to the movement or a decades long advocate can participate in. We call upon God to grant us power over the evil of abortion." Without using help from God, this issue would be nearly impossible to resolve; with God, anything can be done.
Again, despite the fact that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, much work is still to be done. At the state level, grassroots efforts are more important than ever. By supporting, loving, informing, and praying for women, they will be able to make a sound decision within a safe and loving environment. God will continue to help us turn the hearts of many, and trusting in Him, we will be able to win many battles in the future.
https://www.vaticansite.com/best-pro-life-quotes/
https://plam.org/prayer/ https://www.who.intnews-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion https://www.pop.org/many-american-women-felt-pressured-abortions-study-finds/
https://www.bethlehemhouseomaha.org/
https://embracegrace.com/
The overturning of Roe .v Wade was a great victory battling abortion. States now have a grave responsibility to protect the life and dignity of every human person. St. John Paul I said, "Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!" Innocent lives continue to be taken, women continue to feel fear and uncertainty, and the battle of making abortion unthinkable is far from over.
Offering women constant support in their times of struggles is key in helping make abortion unthinkable. From the Population Research Institute, a recent study from the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons found that, "Nearly three quarters (73.8%) of women with a history of abortion surveyed admitted that they experienced at least subtle forms of pressure to terminate their pregnancies." Women are persistently pressured from society, pushing them towards situations from which are hard to escape.
Women need to be equipped with other loving and life saving choices so that the precious and innocent lives of the unborn babies might be saved. Two of many life affirming organizations include Bethlehem House and Embrace Grace. These organizations provide pregnant mothers with faithful and practical guidance. Reframing adoption into being a heroic choice rather than "giving up the baby," can reduce shame and create a more positive option. In addition to informing women regarding life saving choices, women also deserve adequate information about the risks that abortion may have. According to the World Health Organization, "Around 45% of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97% take place in developing countries."
Prayer throughout the country and the world is truly needed to help make abortion unthinkable. Prayer is one of the most powerful and peaceful ways to help end the sickening crisis of abortion and to turn hearts and minds. Stated by Pro-Life Action Ministries, "Prayer is our greatest weapon in the fight to end abortion. Prayer is a simple yet powerful act that anyone, young or old, new to the movement or a decades long advocate can participate in. We call upon God to grant us power over the evil of abortion." Without using help from God, this issue would be nearly impossible to resolve; with God, anything can be done.
Again, despite the fact that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, much work is still to be done. At the state level, grassroots efforts are more important than ever. By supporting, loving, informing, and praying for women, they will be able to make a sound decision within a safe and loving environment. God will continue to help us turn the hearts of many, and trusting in Him, we will be able to win many battles in the future.
https://www.vaticansite.com/best-pro-life-quotes/
https://plam.org/prayer/ https://www.who.intnews-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion https://www.pop.org/many-american-women-felt-pressured-abortions-study-finds/
https://www.bethlehemhouseomaha.org/
https://embracegrace.com/
Jeshua Albert Wirth - Third Place (tie), Senior Division
Grade 11 - Homeschool
Would you ever consider killing a child that would be brought up in a single mother home? It is my responsibility to use my position as an adopted son of a single mother to present an anti-abortion viewpoint.
Although everyone agrees that many children that are raised in a single-mother household
struggle in life, I believe that I should show people that kids who grew up in a single-mother
household don't always struggle. Others, however, think that I should not.
I will use my position as an adopted son of a single mother to help make abortion
unthinkable in three ways: by offering a different viewpoint for circumstances and for adoption, and by encouraging perseverance.
The first way I will use my position is to present a different viewpoint for circumstances. Not all kids who grow up in a single-mother household fail at life. It all depends on whether or not the mother is willing to make a good life for their child. As an adopted son of a single mother, I know there can be difficulties when raising a son alone, but that doesn't mean my life has been bad. My mother was willing to work hard to provide for me, and I've had a joy-filled life so far because of her.
The second way I will use my position is to present a different viewpoint for adoption.
Even if the mother won't be able to provide the care the child needs to live, she can put them up for adoption, like I was. IfI had been aborted instead of adopted, so many people's lives would be so much different now. It doesn't matter how you became pregnant, if you don't want to or
cannot take care of the child, the least you can do is put them up for adoption. I am proof that adoption is the best option when the circumstances aren't ideal.
The third way I will use my position is to encourage perseverance. The women who are thinking about abortion need to know that there are people out there who have made it work. They don't need to give up and kill their defenseless baby. There are people who can help them if they can't provide for their child. There are many different organizations, like pro-life health centers and church groups, that can help someone in their time of need.
Some say that I should not use my position as an adopted son of a single mother to present an anti-abortion viewpoint. They say that just because I was raised in a good home does not mean that others will be. This argument is invalid because just because a child might be raised in a less than ideal place does not mean it doesn't deserve the chance to live. Others say that I shouldn't use my position to present an anti-abortion viewpoint because of cases of abuse. They ask "What if they were raped?" They argue that the mother might not have enough resources to take care of a child at that time. This argument is also invalid because you don't have to resort to killing the unborn child. It's a shame that someone was put through
that, but if they get an abortion they will go through even more pain and grief. Coming alongside a woman in her moment of trauma will help her decide what the right thing to do is.
Neither arguments - that a child might not have the best home, nor cases of abuse - are sufficient reasons for me not to use my position to present an anti-abortion viewpoint.
As an adopted son of a single mother, I will help make abortion unthinkable by presenting a different viewpoint for circumstances, for adoption, and to encourage perseverance. By presenting my experience, mothers considering abortion might better realize the effects of abortion, and in choosing to save the life of their baby, will avoid the guilt that would be with them forever.
Although everyone agrees that many children that are raised in a single-mother household
struggle in life, I believe that I should show people that kids who grew up in a single-mother
household don't always struggle. Others, however, think that I should not.
I will use my position as an adopted son of a single mother to help make abortion
unthinkable in three ways: by offering a different viewpoint for circumstances and for adoption, and by encouraging perseverance.
The first way I will use my position is to present a different viewpoint for circumstances. Not all kids who grow up in a single-mother household fail at life. It all depends on whether or not the mother is willing to make a good life for their child. As an adopted son of a single mother, I know there can be difficulties when raising a son alone, but that doesn't mean my life has been bad. My mother was willing to work hard to provide for me, and I've had a joy-filled life so far because of her.
The second way I will use my position is to present a different viewpoint for adoption.
Even if the mother won't be able to provide the care the child needs to live, she can put them up for adoption, like I was. IfI had been aborted instead of adopted, so many people's lives would be so much different now. It doesn't matter how you became pregnant, if you don't want to or
cannot take care of the child, the least you can do is put them up for adoption. I am proof that adoption is the best option when the circumstances aren't ideal.
The third way I will use my position is to encourage perseverance. The women who are thinking about abortion need to know that there are people out there who have made it work. They don't need to give up and kill their defenseless baby. There are people who can help them if they can't provide for their child. There are many different organizations, like pro-life health centers and church groups, that can help someone in their time of need.
Some say that I should not use my position as an adopted son of a single mother to present an anti-abortion viewpoint. They say that just because I was raised in a good home does not mean that others will be. This argument is invalid because just because a child might be raised in a less than ideal place does not mean it doesn't deserve the chance to live. Others say that I shouldn't use my position to present an anti-abortion viewpoint because of cases of abuse. They ask "What if they were raped?" They argue that the mother might not have enough resources to take care of a child at that time. This argument is also invalid because you don't have to resort to killing the unborn child. It's a shame that someone was put through
that, but if they get an abortion they will go through even more pain and grief. Coming alongside a woman in her moment of trauma will help her decide what the right thing to do is.
Neither arguments - that a child might not have the best home, nor cases of abuse - are sufficient reasons for me not to use my position to present an anti-abortion viewpoint.
As an adopted son of a single mother, I will help make abortion unthinkable by presenting a different viewpoint for circumstances, for adoption, and to encourage perseverance. By presenting my experience, mothers considering abortion might better realize the effects of abortion, and in choosing to save the life of their baby, will avoid the guilt that would be with them forever.
Madelyn Alexander - Third Place (tie), Senior Division
Grade 9 - Homeschool
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them and said to them, " Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it." Genesis 1:27, 28
The development of the sexual revolution of the 1960° increased the acceptance of sex outside of marriage, and our current hook-up culture is the result of that. It has also resulted in an increase ni sexual abuse and assaults. This puts women in the difficult situation of becoming
pregnant and not being able to care for their babies. The advent of hormonal birth control gave people a sense of control over their choices; not just women in healthy relationships, but also abusers and the abused. In these circumstances, it is no surprise that abortion was legalized in 1973.
Everyone agrees that our culture prioritizes work and financial success over all things, but I believe that I should work toward establishing life as a cultural priority in order to make abortion unthinkable. I will do this in three ways: by exposing abortion, supporting women, and revealing lies.
The first way I will help establish life as a cultural priority is by exposing abortion. Abortion murders a defenseless life. It is dehumanizing and affects all people negatively. It is not only physically harmful, but also mentally and emotionally harmful. An abortion robs an individual of their life, parents of their baby, children of their sibling, and our society of another member.
The second way I will help establish life as a cultural priority is to support women. There are so many options that are better than abortion. Increasing resources and access to pro-life support centers are two ways I want to serve women who are considering abortion. I also want to support women choosing adoption. Adoption is a much better option than abortion for women who can't take care of their babies because the babies still gets the chance to live their lives even if their birth mothers can't raise them.
The third way I will help establish life as a cultural priority is to reveal the lies behind abortion. Our society is being lied to when they're made to believe that work and financial success are more important than anything else. Our society is being lied to when they're made to believe that abortion is the only option in difficult situations, like unplanned pregnancies or sexual assaults. Our society is being lied to when they're made to believe that a woman can't have a successful career and have a family.
Some people say that life should not be a cultural priority. They believe that abortion gives them control, allows them success, and is what is best for them in unfavorable situations. However, this argument isn't persuasive because it just isn't the truth. The truth is that while
abortion might give someone a sense of control, it is control bought with the blood of an
innocent life. So many women, now and throughout history, have found a balance between a successful career and a flourishing family life. And finally, abortion does not erase difficult circumstances, it adds violence to them.
Others say that life should not be a cultural priority because our society's priorities have changed. Women have entered the workforce and medical advancements have made abortion possible. This is also not a persuasive argument because despite the change in our society's priorities, working women and medical advancements are not good reasons to justify murder. To want to live a successful life is human; to kill in order to get there is not.
Neither of these reasons are sufficient enough to keep me from trying to make abortion unthinkable. It is my goal to expose abortion, support women, and reveal lies in order to make life a cultural priority. This matters to women of al ages because for too long, our culture has been dictating who we are, what we do, and who we want to be. We women don't want to be fed these lies anymore and we don't want our daughters to be either. It's time for us to stand up for ourselves and for our children.
The development of the sexual revolution of the 1960° increased the acceptance of sex outside of marriage, and our current hook-up culture is the result of that. It has also resulted in an increase ni sexual abuse and assaults. This puts women in the difficult situation of becoming
pregnant and not being able to care for their babies. The advent of hormonal birth control gave people a sense of control over their choices; not just women in healthy relationships, but also abusers and the abused. In these circumstances, it is no surprise that abortion was legalized in 1973.
Everyone agrees that our culture prioritizes work and financial success over all things, but I believe that I should work toward establishing life as a cultural priority in order to make abortion unthinkable. I will do this in three ways: by exposing abortion, supporting women, and revealing lies.
The first way I will help establish life as a cultural priority is by exposing abortion. Abortion murders a defenseless life. It is dehumanizing and affects all people negatively. It is not only physically harmful, but also mentally and emotionally harmful. An abortion robs an individual of their life, parents of their baby, children of their sibling, and our society of another member.
The second way I will help establish life as a cultural priority is to support women. There are so many options that are better than abortion. Increasing resources and access to pro-life support centers are two ways I want to serve women who are considering abortion. I also want to support women choosing adoption. Adoption is a much better option than abortion for women who can't take care of their babies because the babies still gets the chance to live their lives even if their birth mothers can't raise them.
The third way I will help establish life as a cultural priority is to reveal the lies behind abortion. Our society is being lied to when they're made to believe that work and financial success are more important than anything else. Our society is being lied to when they're made to believe that abortion is the only option in difficult situations, like unplanned pregnancies or sexual assaults. Our society is being lied to when they're made to believe that a woman can't have a successful career and have a family.
Some people say that life should not be a cultural priority. They believe that abortion gives them control, allows them success, and is what is best for them in unfavorable situations. However, this argument isn't persuasive because it just isn't the truth. The truth is that while
abortion might give someone a sense of control, it is control bought with the blood of an
innocent life. So many women, now and throughout history, have found a balance between a successful career and a flourishing family life. And finally, abortion does not erase difficult circumstances, it adds violence to them.
Others say that life should not be a cultural priority because our society's priorities have changed. Women have entered the workforce and medical advancements have made abortion possible. This is also not a persuasive argument because despite the change in our society's priorities, working women and medical advancements are not good reasons to justify murder. To want to live a successful life is human; to kill in order to get there is not.
Neither of these reasons are sufficient enough to keep me from trying to make abortion unthinkable. It is my goal to expose abortion, support women, and reveal lies in order to make life a cultural priority. This matters to women of al ages because for too long, our culture has been dictating who we are, what we do, and who we want to be. We women don't want to be fed these lies anymore and we don't want our daughters to be either. It's time for us to stand up for ourselves and for our children.
Lillian Alexander - First Place, Junior Division
Grade 6 - Homeschool
"Treat people the same way you want them to treat you." - Jesus (Luke 6:31)
Even though the Dobbs decision overturned Roe vs. Wade, many parents still experience fear and uncertainty. I will help make abortion unthinkable in three ways: by offering child care, volunteering at pro-life centers, and promoting safe care for families.
The first way I will help to make abortion unthinkable is to volunteer my time to provide child care for working parents. With a babysitter, working parents are able to work and not be worried about their children. Tired parents are able to take a break from parenting and working to take the time to rest. With a responsible babysitter, parents are able to do the things they need to do and know that their children are being taken care of well.
The second way I will make abortion unthinkable is to volunteer my time at pro-life care and resource centers. Volunteering my time in this way will show parents that they can confidently get the things that they and their children need. It will make resources more accessible because of the additional help I am able to provide. Because of this, parents will have better experience sand will recommend pro-life care and resource centers instead of abortion
providers.
The third way I will help make abortion unthinkable is to promote the pro-life care and resource centers. If I promote these centers, parents will be more drawn to our supportive and safe care. Parents will also know that there are plenty of resources to go around. There will be
more needs met; therefore, there will be fewer abortions.
I will help make abortion unthinkable by offering child care, volunteering at pro-life centers, and promoting safe care for families. This matters so much to me because, if I were to find myself in the scary situation of not being able to support my children, I would want someone to do these things for me.
Even though the Dobbs decision overturned Roe vs. Wade, many parents still experience fear and uncertainty. I will help make abortion unthinkable in three ways: by offering child care, volunteering at pro-life centers, and promoting safe care for families.
The first way I will help to make abortion unthinkable is to volunteer my time to provide child care for working parents. With a babysitter, working parents are able to work and not be worried about their children. Tired parents are able to take a break from parenting and working to take the time to rest. With a responsible babysitter, parents are able to do the things they need to do and know that their children are being taken care of well.
The second way I will make abortion unthinkable is to volunteer my time at pro-life care and resource centers. Volunteering my time in this way will show parents that they can confidently get the things that they and their children need. It will make resources more accessible because of the additional help I am able to provide. Because of this, parents will have better experience sand will recommend pro-life care and resource centers instead of abortion
providers.
The third way I will help make abortion unthinkable is to promote the pro-life care and resource centers. If I promote these centers, parents will be more drawn to our supportive and safe care. Parents will also know that there are plenty of resources to go around. There will be
more needs met; therefore, there will be fewer abortions.
I will help make abortion unthinkable by offering child care, volunteering at pro-life centers, and promoting safe care for families. This matters so much to me because, if I were to find myself in the scary situation of not being able to support my children, I would want someone to do these things for me.
John Phillip Kabat - Second Place, Junior Division
Grade 6 - Homeschool
Abortion Should Be Unthinkable
What is abortion? Abortion is when an unborn child is killed in the womb. This intentional taking of a life breaks one of the Ten Commandments. Abortion should be unthinkable because it is murder. Abortion is a brutality that should not exist in the world. If abortion were to have control over this world, humanity itself would be in danger of extinction. Deep down, we know that the unborn are not just clumps of cells because we don't treat them like that when they are wanted. (1) An unborn child is a creature of God! This is why we Catholics and many non-Catholics are Pro-Life.
As I said before, the unborn aren't just clumps of cells. At one of Trent Horn's talks about abortion, a woman resisted him, saying, "I agree with you, but that doesn't mean that you have to go around shoving your beliefs down other people's necks!" Trent Horn asked her why she doesn't like abortion. He said, "Pretend I'm a five-year-old and haven't ever heard the word abortion before. What's so bad about it?" She replied with, "It takes a life out of the world." He answered, "What kind of life? If I step on a spider, is that an abortion?" She responded quietly, "A human life." (2) Changing hearts to respect the dignity of human life is why we work to make abortion unthinkable.
Providers of abortion insist that abortion is a safe way to terminate a pregnancy. They lie and convince the mother that abortion is healthcare. Instead, it is a breaking of the 5th commandment that states ‘You shall not kill.’ This is what these pro-death people are saying, abortion should be legal so that it's safe. "It should be legal for bigger people to kill smaller people so that's safer for the bigger people." (3) Abortion should be unthinkable.
"A fundamental purpose of laws is to protect the rights of the weak and vulnerable."(4) I know everyone should be able to agree with that, but remarkably, some can't. The law, both governmental and spiritual (the Ten Commandments), is meant to protect the lives of the unborn, the most vulnerable beings in the world. The intentional killing of an unborn child should be unthinkable.
What can I do to help make abortion unthinkable? The first and best thing I can do is pray! The many charitable conversations that need to happen about this topic cannot be had without first being in a prayerful state of mind. A live example of this would be the sidewalk advocates and the work they do. The goal would be to not even have women enter an abortion clinic or take the pills. Teaching how to understand human dignity is the key. One person at a time with love and charity.
1 (Horn, 2022)
2 (Horn, 2022)
3 (Horn, 2022)
4 (Horn, 2022)
What is abortion? Abortion is when an unborn child is killed in the womb. This intentional taking of a life breaks one of the Ten Commandments. Abortion should be unthinkable because it is murder. Abortion is a brutality that should not exist in the world. If abortion were to have control over this world, humanity itself would be in danger of extinction. Deep down, we know that the unborn are not just clumps of cells because we don't treat them like that when they are wanted. (1) An unborn child is a creature of God! This is why we Catholics and many non-Catholics are Pro-Life.
As I said before, the unborn aren't just clumps of cells. At one of Trent Horn's talks about abortion, a woman resisted him, saying, "I agree with you, but that doesn't mean that you have to go around shoving your beliefs down other people's necks!" Trent Horn asked her why she doesn't like abortion. He said, "Pretend I'm a five-year-old and haven't ever heard the word abortion before. What's so bad about it?" She replied with, "It takes a life out of the world." He answered, "What kind of life? If I step on a spider, is that an abortion?" She responded quietly, "A human life." (2) Changing hearts to respect the dignity of human life is why we work to make abortion unthinkable.
Providers of abortion insist that abortion is a safe way to terminate a pregnancy. They lie and convince the mother that abortion is healthcare. Instead, it is a breaking of the 5th commandment that states ‘You shall not kill.’ This is what these pro-death people are saying, abortion should be legal so that it's safe. "It should be legal for bigger people to kill smaller people so that's safer for the bigger people." (3) Abortion should be unthinkable.
"A fundamental purpose of laws is to protect the rights of the weak and vulnerable."(4) I know everyone should be able to agree with that, but remarkably, some can't. The law, both governmental and spiritual (the Ten Commandments), is meant to protect the lives of the unborn, the most vulnerable beings in the world. The intentional killing of an unborn child should be unthinkable.
What can I do to help make abortion unthinkable? The first and best thing I can do is pray! The many charitable conversations that need to happen about this topic cannot be had without first being in a prayerful state of mind. A live example of this would be the sidewalk advocates and the work they do. The goal would be to not even have women enter an abortion clinic or take the pills. Teaching how to understand human dignity is the key. One person at a time with love and charity.
1 (Horn, 2022)
2 (Horn, 2022)
3 (Horn, 2022)
4 (Horn, 2022)