The American Motherhood Problem

Nicholas Kristof, in his New York Times article “If Americans Love Moms, Why Do We Let Them Die?” (2017), asserts that despite the misconception that America seeks to embrace and assist motherhood, they are causing more harm than not and endangering thousands of mothers’ lives. Kristof describes and asserts the problem with motherhood in America with a sentimental story of an innocent mother who lost her child, and continuing to explain the problems with the Medicare system in our country today with relatable stories and practical problems. The author’s purpose is to inform the American public with the lack of attention and care given to child bearing mothers across the country in order that they too join the fight to assist and care for mothers. Through a passionate, strong, but still compassionate tone, the author establishes an assuring relationship with the American readers as he assures them that such is not the way, concluding “and this is pro-life?”

While the many other organized and advanced countries of the world have utterly eradicated almost all indications of danger associated with motherhood, our beloved country has fallen further and further behind moving in the other direction. This is simply and plainly unacceptable and must be changed and repaired sooner rather than later. While the debate and controversy over abortion and un-born lives continues to carry on, it’s time we turn our attention to the lives we do have and ensure that these lives stay safe, secure, and healthy. We cannot be pro-life if we do not seek to help each and every mother, something America has failed to do to this point. Approximately two women a day experience preventive strokes that put their unborn babies’ lives in danger. That’s more than 700 lives every year, a number far too high for a sophisticated and advanced country like ours. Yet, the root of the problem and the crux of the issue stems in unplanned pregnancies. There are many young people who are sexually active but fail to take the preemptive steps to prevent pregnancies. Thus, the problem not only originates in the hospitals and the medical programs, but many of the people that have unplanned pregnancies. However, much of this is to the fault of the US and society for failing to give women access to such preemptive measures. If America could simply eradicate these unplanned pregnancies, then women who do not want to be pregnant will not be giving birth, and more mothers will be protected. That is not to say, that the number of babies brought into the world should be limited, but only mothers who wish to give birth should be birthing and motherhood would become much more safe. Take skydiving for example, if people who did not want to skydive took part in the dangerous act, there would likely be many more injuries and deaths thus making skydiving more dangerous. Similarly, if more mothers who have encountered unplanned pregnancies continue giving birth, motherhood will become more and more dangerous. If the government does their part in assisting this problem can easily be fixed, as the Obama administration exemplified. Unlike the Republican health care plan, the Obama administration made contraception free, thus preventing many women who do not wish to be mothers from giving birth and taking part in a potentially life threatening ordeal.