Today’s political climate and attitudes on social issues seem to be more “divided” than ever. People on both sides have taken positions that leave little room in the middle and therefore for compromise and discussion.

The upcoming Focus on the Family/Teebow ad during the Superbowl sheds light on the issue of abortions.

Side A says that abortions are bad/wrong and should be illegal.

Side B says that abortions are and should remain legal.

Neither side seems willing to even communicate, let alone compromise.

Where do I fall? In the gray area. I would be happy if there was never another abortion, but at the same time as a male who will never have to endure the hardship of pregnancy I  support a woman’s right to choose. As someone with a scientific background, I define “life” as the point at which offspring can sustain life (functioning organs, can breathe and metabolize nutrients) outside of a mother’s womb.

Here are my suggestions to reduce unwanted pregnancies and therefore abortions:

1. Instead of wasting 3 million dollars on an ad that omits significant information, use it as a seed to sponsor research in neonatal transplants. There are many women who either have damaged eggs or don’t produce eggs, but could still be able and willing to carry the zygote through the fetal stage to birth.

2. Insure that all willing and able individuals who wish to adopt children are able to free of restraints mostly based on religious beliefs.

3. Massive spending on comprehensive sex education programs and condom distribution programs.

4. “Saying you are pro-life doesn’t end at birth” Unless individuals who are against abortions are willing to financially and emotionally support children who are unwanted and/or the mothers are unable to provide for them, then they with all due respect need to shut the fuck up. Forcing a child to be born into poverty and/or an unwanted familial relationship as a way to punish women for having sex is wrong.

Most people on Side A rarely make the connections between the failure of abstinence-only education programs and teen pregnancy rates and abortions.

There is no right answer for the question, but asking and discussing the question moves us in the right direction.