While polling across the state has the majority of voters in support of lifting Missouri’s two-year-old abortion ban, some students have found it hard to silence their opinions on the subject.
Amendment Three has been the topic of conversation for Missourians as election day nears. People are voicing their opinions on the controversial proposal, from yard signs and commercials to hosting events on the campus walkway.
Nathan Hale, a junior in urban planning design, and Grayson Frecks, a first-year BA MD student, discussed their views on Amendment Three, which they said they opposed due to its overreaching nature.
“I’m not a completely pro-life person,” said Hale. “I take a more of an approach like Donald Trump [would]. I want to see a ban at 16 to 20 weeks versus an all-out ban. It just goes way too far as a bad piece of legislation,”
Frecks, however, said she believes that life starts at conception but is not opposed to having legislation that focuses on the medical issues the pro-choice movement stands for.
While many of Freck’s values stem from her religious beliefs, she also cited scientific, philosophical and social reasons for being pro-life.
“I believe that babies are important for society. If we don’t have kids, our society isn’t going to flourish,” Frecks said.
Frecks also said parenthood plays a pivotal role that should not be undermined for fear of societal consequences.
“If the parent has the ability to kill their child, then what does it say that a political leader can’t kill their citizens, or a pastor can’t execute his people? That leadership is important,” said Frecks.
The differing views and tension of strong-willed individuals across campus have reached the classrooms this election season.
Ashley Patino, a first-year political science major, recalled a friend who chose abortion as the topic of a recent project, having been met with snickering and mockery during her presentation by male classmates.
Patino said she feels that the topic is emotionally charged and difficult for people to talk about.
“A lot of people find the topic already triggering, as in, it’s a way to murder babies as they like to claim it is,” Patino said. “I think it’s a woman’s choice and should be less of deciding what’s healthcare or not.”
Patino, a Kansas resident and voter, voiced her concerns for the safety of women seeking care if the Missouri amendment fails.
“A lot of people will risk their lives to find ways to help themselves because it’s just a bad situation to be put in with no options,” said Patino.
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