A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being a panelist at an event hosted by the Hamilton Think Tank that focused on abortion. To all of the students who attended, thank you for your interest in this important, sometimes volatile and emotional topic. Thank you also for your insightful questions that helped expose the vast complexities of this issue.
In reflecting on the evening, I also want to tell you how great it is that you get it. The event was set up to be about abortion, but you drove the conversation to focus just as heavily on the essential role that sexual education and access to contraception plays in reducing the incidence of abortion in the first place. You understood the connection, and you asked the right questions to demonstrate both the connection and the untenable solutions put forth by those who would deny not only abortion, but comprehensive sex education and contraceptive services as well.
I am pleased that this generation of college students is aware of the value of respecting individuals, the importance of giving people information and resources, the effectiveness of providing young people with appropriate and medically accurate information, and how all these steps result in increased personal responsibility and therefore, fewer abortions.
I stated on the panel that I know a lot of people who are pro-choice but not one who is pro-abortion. I know you all understand that is a fallacy that people who are opposed to abortion rights sometimes, rather than addressing the real issue of how to prevent abortion. So, I hope you all will continue to push the importance of prevention of unintended pregnancies when it comes to the
abortion debate.
As you so clearly demonstrated through your questions and comments, it’s about so much more than just abortion. It’s about trusting and respecting that people will make their own ethical, personal and private decisions based on their own beliefs. And it’s about carrying out our shared responsibility to ensure people have all the information, services and support they need to make those decisions.

Kellie Shoemaker is vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Health Services of Southwestern Oregon