Here’s why: What I imagine happening in that scenario is some states banning all abortions (South Carolina, perhaps?) and others allowing anything and everything to go (California, perhaps?). This creates all kinds of problems for young women who find themselves in these desperate situations. Parents who can’t even say the word “sex” around their children will now have their pregnant teens fleeing to states where abortion is legal. We’re already seeing this among girls who live in states where parental notification is mandatory — crossing state lines, etc. It will certainly happen in even greater numbers if the states are left to decide how to regulate (or not regulate) abortion.

I guess I feel this is a national issue that requires a national solution, and that solution (in my mind) is to remain legal and regulated. While the partial-birth abortion ban is a good thing, I would personally support a late-term abortion ban, covering other methods, such as the one you described.

I know you and others in the pro-life movement are doing wonderful things to help women and young girls in these situations, but the dominant narrative right now, in my opinion, is simply one of fear that suggests the only/best solution is to get conservative judges on the Supreme Court so that they can legislate from the bench. I’d just like to challenge you and others who are in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade to continue articulating (and in stronger, better ways) what real, concrete assistance is being given to women and girls who are caught up cycles of poverty and desperation. Those are the stories that need to be told. Those are the stories that will impact the hearts and minds of people and cultivate a culture of life in this country.

Thank you for respectfully engaging in this dialogue with me here. All of this is ultimately in God’s hands, and God is the one who allows leaders to come into power (or not). I’m going to close the comments here on this post, but I’ll have at least one follow-up post on this subject so please come back and continue the discussion with me there.