By: Rachel Morales, Executive Director, Right to Life Kern County
I recently saw a video on Instagram of a mother strapping her 2-year-old into a baby carrier in the middle of a freezing Minnesota storm to attend an ICE protest. I was shocked, not just that she would bring her toddler into frigid weather, but that she exposed her child to a situation that, according to reports, could have become violent very quickly.
This incident made me reflect on a mindset that can underlie pro-choice thinking. When a parent sees a child primarily as the result of their “choice” rather than as a unique life entrusted to them, it can lead to dangerous behavior, even if unintended. A child who is not seen as an irreplaceable gift may be subconsciously treated as something that could be replaced if harmed.
I do not believe this mother consciously thought, “I do not care if my child is in danger because I could just have another one.” Yet the subconscious framing, that life depends on choice rather than inherent value, is a troubling reflection of our culture.
We see similar patterns of this thinking in other debates when the safety and dignity of children are overlooked in discussions about transgender rights, sports participation, or restroom access. The potential for physical or emotional harm is sometimes dismissed, suggesting that individual choice takes priority over the protection of children.
This mindset, that children are primarily the result of a “choice” rather than irreplaceable lives with inherent worth, should concern us all. Children are blessings from God, each with a unique purpose, and they deserve our highest protection. They are NOT a replaceable commodity.