Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Via Paul at Thoughts of a Regular Guy, story by the Washington Times (study conducted by a pro-choice researcher):

A new study from New Zealand, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, raises important questions about the effect of abortion on women's mental health. Researchers found those reporting an abortion prior to age 21 had rates of mental disorders from age 21 to 25 more than 11/2 times higher than the rates for women who did not become pregnant and those who became pregnant but did not abort. The relationship between abortion and mental health problems persisted even when the researchers took into account the mental health of the women prior to the abortion. The researchers concluded, "Abortion in young women may be associated with increased risks of mental health problems."

Although virtually ignored in the United States, the study has provoked political debate over abortion in the Lands Down Under. Predictably, pro-choice groups have criticized the study and New Zealand pro-life supporters have petitioned their government to review abortion laws and procedures.
Does the New Zealand study support policies aimed at restricting access to abortion in the United States?
No, according to Nancy Felipe Russo, Regents professor of psychology and women's studies at Arizona State University. The American Psychological Association referred me to Dr. Russo for comment on the New Zealand study. Dr. Russo pointed out that in 1969 the APA adopted the position that abortion should be a civil right. She added, "To pro-choice advocates, mental health effects are not relevant to the legal context of arguments to restrict access to abortion."

So, abortion as a matter of public policy is not to be questioned on the basis of the mental health of the women nor on the basis of their physical health. (See my earlier post, Abortion Pill Suspect.)

Pro-choice advocates just don't want to know. And more significantly, pro-choice professionals in the field of psychology and some scientists don't want us to know.

Isn't one of the mantras of the "pro-choice" movement that they want to protect the health of the mother? (That's why they're willing to sacrifice the life of a child.)

So they're not really giving us a choice are they? It's not about choice at all.

It's don't ask. Don't tell.