What is House Bill 722?
“To implement equal protection under the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution for the right to life of each born and preborn human person.” (Congress.gov)

If passed, this would essentially mean that abortion will be banned nationwide, with no exceptions. 

If this bill gets into the hands of Congress, it will likely be voted to pass, and the president will approve it, given that most of our government right now is red.

The effects on children

The group of people that would be affected by a national abortion ban goes much further than just the pregnant woman. It would affect the children who are a result of denied abortions. Children born from unwanted pregnancies can likely have behavioral and psychological issues in adolescence

Women with unwanted pregnancies are more likely to “smoke, use illicit drugs, and be at greater risk for maternal anxiety and depression.” (Drexel University)  Taking the use of drugs and smoking as an example. “Miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, stillbirth, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth, higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor fetal growth rate, and cognitive and behavioral problems” (Florida Health) are all just some of the effects of using drugs and smoking while pregnant. This is troubling because it's not only detrimental to the woman's health but to the child's physical and mental health.

Next, women who experience unwanted pregnancies are more likely to have postpartum depression. This postpartum depression can reflect on the children. It can reflect on the child's relationship with their mom. These mothers are more likely to influence the child's early development. Some ways that this can affect children is, “Lack of sufficient interaction between mother and child may result in insecure attachment and delay of cognitive, motor and emotional development.” (Drexel University) This goes to show that even if the mother does not use drugs or smoke during the pregnancy, the child can still have effects on their relationship with their mother, and early development. Proving that a national abortion ban would not only affect the pregnant woman but also the children who are a result of a denied abortion.

Click here to learn more about why abortion being safe,legal,and accessible is important.