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PLEASE consider your participation in positive "Pro-Life" language!


Adopting Positive Language of Dignity & Equality


Within the pro-child-equality movement we can select positive words which uplifts and humanizes children within the womb.  Everyday, in every conversation, our language can dignify and uplift children within the womb!  Every conversation can reflect the equality of a child within the womb.
Dear pro-child-equality friends
PLEASE consider THREE simple language changes
which bring dignity and equality to children within the womb.
FIRST...
If a woman is pregnant, she is a mother.  From the moment a child is conceived two proud parents exist, not from the moment the child is born!  Thus, the term "mother" should be used, not "woman".  When we use the word "mother" we clearly state our conviction that a child is within her womb.  We also arouse the real and natural love surrounding the mother and child relationship. 
Example:
 OLD language
  NEW language
 "I'm pregnant!" "I'm [a mommy]!"
 "This is not just about a woman's right to choose..." "this is not just about a [mother's] right to
choose..."
"Some women decided to keep their child."
"Some [mothers] decided to keep their child."
 "This young woman was separated from her husband, and this was not his child. Abortion seemed the only answer."
  "This young [mother] was separated from her husband, and this was not his child. Ending the child's life seemed the only answer."
"Women in their twenties account for more than half of all abortions."
 "[mothers] in their twenties account for more than half of all children killed."

(Note: It has been brought to me attention that I forgot fathers.  So, not "men", but "fathers".  Thanks!)


SECOND...
If a woman is pregnant, there is a child within her.  From the moment of conception, a new and unique precious child exists, not from the moment of birth!
Further:
  • child: 1. a: an unborn or recently born person.  (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.)
  • child: 2. a. An unborn infant; a fetus.  (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2009.)
  • child: 2. an unborn offspring; fetus. (Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009.)
  • child: 4. a human fetus. (Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.)
  • child: 1.  a young human being... (Collins English Dictionary – CollinsLanguage.com 2009.)
  • child: 1. a young human being below the age of full physical development... (New Oxford American Dictionary, 2nd Edition, 2005.)
  • "with child" formal pregnant. (New Oxford American Dictionary, 2nd Edition, 2005.)
Thus, the term "child" is a valid positive term for the life within a mother's womb.
"Child" can be used in place of terms like "zygote", "embryo", "fetus", "it"...  When we use "child" we reinforce our conviction that this is not just a blob of tissue, just a pregnancy, or just a developmental stage.  Further, the word "child"  calls to mind all the positive things we know we ought to do to help children.  In fact, you may even consider using the word "child" along with words like "baby", "person", and "human being" as shown in the examples below.

Example:
 OLD language
  NEW language
"She is pregnant."
 "She is [with child]."
"The woman terminated her pregnancy."
 "The mother [ended the life of her child]."
"It is a baby", "It is a person", or "It is a human being". "[The child] is a baby", "[The child] is a person", or "[The child] is a human being".
"Human life begins as a zygote, then it becomes an embryo, then finally a fetus."
"[A child's] life begins as a zygote, then [the child becomes] an embryo, then finally [the child becomes] a fetus."


THIRD...
Last, consider avoiding the term "abortion" whenever possible...
I believe the word "abortion" is a very bad word for the pro-child-equality movement.  To begin, it seems obvious that the word "abortion" is NOT a direct enough way to refer to the death of a child.  Don't believe me?  Consider these T-shirts:
 
 
 


Would these mothers (presumedly) wear these shirts if the shirt read, "I ended the life of my child" or "I love child killing"?  But, isn't that what these shirts actually mean!?  Well, perhaps to you and I, but not likely to those wearing the shirts...

If you have read this far, WOW!  Thanks!  Please consider few more thing.  I'm begging now:
A medically induced "abortion" ends the life of a child.  And, you and I oppose this medical procedure because it kills a child, right?  So, isn't it the death of the child that is the primary issue we are concerned with, not some medical procedure?  Sure, this medical procedure causes death, but it is the death of the child that our culture continues to ignore, as those T-shirts painfully reveal.  I believe those shirts can be worn because those shirts support access to some medical procedure called "abortion".  And, medical procedure "abortion" is wholly dissociated from the death of a child in many people's mind.  We can change that...
I believe our language can help bring the child back into the discussion...


We can fix this.  We can avoid the term "abortion".  We can oppose the ending of a child's life instead.  In my own conversation and on my radio show, I've noticed that avoiding the word "abortion" really helps others realize what we are actually talking about: the death of a child!  So, I've almost completely eliminated the term "abortion" from my conversations about abortion!  Ha!  This focuses the conversation on what it ought to be focused upon: The unacceptable, unjust, ending of children's lives.  So, I avoid the word "abortion" unless it is absolutely necessary, like in these last few paragraphs.

This is a difficult change for some (It was a tough change for me!), but I hope you will thoughtfully consider it.  It can make a huge difference for the lives of children in the womb and their mothers when we speak directly about what is taking place.
I sincerely hope you consider this third and last change of language.

Example:
 OLD language
  NEW language
"She had an abortion." "She [ended the life of her child]."
"I regret my abortion."
 "I regret [ending my child's life]."
"Tax dollars go toward abortion." Tax dollars go toward [ending children's lives]."
"I oppose abortion."
"I oppose [the legal killing of children]."

If you're still not convinced about this last change, just ask yourself if the word "abortion" dehumanizes the child?  Is there anything dignified about the death of an individual when their death is described as an "abortion"?  Is there equality between the death of a child outside the womb and a child inside as long as we use a specialized term like "abortion" to describe one and not the other?  Is there anything dignified, equal, or human about the death of a child when it is simply described as an "abortion"?  I hope we can avoid this word.

SUMMARY
If, we begin to call "it" a child and a pregnant "woman" a mother and "abortion" the ending of a child's life, then we proclaim "pro-child-equality" in every single conversation.

PLEASE consider these distinct changes in your language.  Please, especially consider avoiding the use of the indirect and dehumanizing term "abortion" as much as possible.  Let's change our language within the pro-child-equality community.

Thank you for your time and consideration!