Thirty years ago on Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court of the United States decided in Roe vs. Wade, that "legal personhood does not exist prenatally." In essence, the Court said that unborn children were not human, and therefore, could be dealt with much like property, to be retained or disposed of at will. The ruling was so broad that it enabled a woman to obtain an abortion at any juncture throughout her nine months of pregnancy, for any reason.

When the decision came down, I was 14 years old. I remember shuddering at the thought of any woman who would consider doing such a thing. [As a young adult, I was just beginning to understand the tragedies of Vietnam, its prisoners of war and the fallout from the rest of the unforgettably tumultuous events of the 1960's. Such things could not possibly be happening in this world in which I was growing up.] Little did I realize the far-reaching consequences that would follow from this judicial meeting of minds. Little did everyone else.

The last three decades have been more than enough time to evaluate the various effects that legalized abortion has had on today's social fabric. While some may say that causes are difficult to prove, I list a few of many unmistakable changes I have witnessed since women have been granted the "freedom of choice."

Between 1973 and 2000, an estimated 40 million abortions have been performed in this country. This number represents a substantial amount of human talent and potential, forever lost. For every American who perished in the Vietnam War, 700 people have lost their lives to abortion. The combined populations of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio amounts to 40 million residents. We are just beginning to learn of demographic projections that point to an unsettling economic picture for the large number of middle-aged individuals once they approach their "golden" years. The value of human life has decreased dramatically since abortion was legalized.

Once prenatal life became disposable, life at every stage has been in peril, regardless of mental or physical state. One's gender, handicap and socio-economic standing have all become easy and rationalized targets. Any merit to what possible suffering may come is all but ignored. We now grapple with a host of ethical dilemmas such as the treatment of embryos and the cloning of them.

Legalized abortion has not proven to be the expected panacea for the women's liberation movement. Contrarily, the persona of woman has been reduced or blurred in many circles, to the point where instinct and modern societal expectations are at constant odds with each other.

Is a woman really better off when she has the "option" to end a natural, progressive, life-affirming event in her own life? Do we hold the father of this child responsible for keeping this family unit together? The supreme law of the land has denied all mothers and fathers in this country due recognition of their God-given instinct to contribute to the human race in the way it was intended.

Women and their families continue to suffer physically, emotionally and psychologically from abortion. Sterility and infection from this surgical procedure are always a risk. Plentiful data reveals that Post-Abortion Syndrome begins to manifest itself anywhere from five to 10 years after the event. Low self-esteem, guilt and flashbacks may be evident. Drug abuse, depression, suicidal tendencies and hostility towards men have also been reported. Pro-life agencies nationwide are doing their best to meet the increasing demand for their support to those who are hurting after the abortive experience.

Why should we care about a 30-year anniversary? It gives us an opportunity to pause and realize that just because abortion is legal, it does not mean that it is right. Just ask the millions of our sisters, daughters, wives, aunts, mothers and cousins and their families who have never forgotten their unborn children. We must do everything we can to right this terrible wrong. The future cohesion of our civilization depends on it.

Kathleen J. Black

President, St. Joseph County Right to Life, Inc.

South Bend

Jan. 17, 2003

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