University of Virginia Library

Letters To The Editor

Women Aren't Mere Breeding Machines

As a concerned member of the
University community, as well as a
woman, I feel compelled to make a
few comments in response to the
recent discussions by Mr. Russel
and Mr. Humand, respectively. It
seems rather typical of the male
self absorption predominant at this
institution that in their emotional
zeal neither one of these gentlemen
took the time to deal with the
fundamental issue of human rights
inherent in the abortion issue. I am
not referring to the sexual rights of
women, liberated or otherwise, nor
to the right to life of the unborn
fetus. Rather, I am concerned with
the human right to possession of
one's body. Is a woman a mere piece
of breeding equipment, subordinate
to the imperatives of propagation
of the species? I think it must be
conceded by all concerned parties
that she is not. If she is not, then it
is only reasonable to assume that
she has a right to determine for
herself whether she is willing to
undergo the physical and mental
stress as well as the social and
financial strains involved with
childbirth. No one else can have the
right to invade and regulate the use
of her body for whatever purpose.

A legitimate issue can be raised
as to whether the rights of a woman
to control her life and her body
superseded the right of an unborn
child to life. However, the rights of
the living must ultimately take
precedence over the rights of the
unborn or else there is nothing to
be born for. If this is the case then
in the final analysis the only
possible judge of what the cost of
childbirth actually is and of
whether this cost is more important
than having the child is, and must
be, the woman, herself.

Let me conclude by clarifying
one point. I am not claiming that
abortion is right for everyone in a
situation resulting from unwanted
pregnancy. Nor am I claiming that
abortion is a substitute for birth
control. It definitely is not! What I
am claiming is that only the person
involved can decide what the trade
off between the cost to her own life
is, and what the rights of the
unborn child are. Mainly a woman
will decide that the child should be
born—even if she cannot raise it
herself. But no one has the right to
decide for her—least of all a man
who will never have to face the
realities of this agonizing
self-confrontation.

Pep Talk

As a new faculty member, I
recently attended a session on the
honor system. I must candidly
admit that my initial reaction to
the honor system was cynical.
However, the speaker, Dr. Gibson,
gave an inspiring and very
illuminating pep talk. I am now
convinced that I must reserve
judgement until I have seen the
honor system in action. In addition,
I plan to do my best to follow the
suggested procedures in any class I
might teach.