re: Can a 10 year old rape victim get an abortion? Ohio says NO

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But even as a devoted absolutist, don’t you feel SOME level of discomfort at the notion of forcing a preteen to endure nine months of pregnancy and then the agony of childbirth?

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First, I disagree with the term “forcing” in the context of being pregnant. Pregnancy is a natural process that happens—like breathing—and doesn’t require force. Force is required to stop a pregnancy unnaturally—like stopping someone from breathing.

Secondly, yes, I recognize the discomfort of being pregnant and the fear and uncertainty that goes along with it, as well as the pain of childbirth. I’m a father to multiple children so I’m not speaking with principled ignorance. That happens for adults who desire to be pregnant, so obviously it would be worse for those who don’t desire it, especially for teens and pre-teens who are not emotionally mature.

Even so, as you point out with my “absolutist” position, I still believe it is wrong to kill children to prevent additional pain or discomfort. We don’t take that approach after birth, and I don’t think we should do so before birth, either.