Thanks for your reply, Amanda. I wasn’t trying to insult you, and I apologize if I did.

You may be surprised to learn I have an advanced vocabulary as a writer… apparently I’m considerably more experienced than you in the not-so-subtle nuances of our native language. For example, I know the many definitions of the word SLAVERY, and none of the ways you’ve used that word in this string accommodate a single accepted definition for the word. For example, slavery requires that you have someone actively enslaving you. It doesn’t just mean coercion. There are plenty of forms of coercion—some of them even criminal—and they do not equal slavery.

Anyway, I suspect you are using SLAVERY, an emotionally-charged word, as a form of hyperbole. Fair enough. But don’t expect people to take your hyperbole seriously. 

While certainly no one should coerce you in how to run your reproductive life - and I seriously doubt anyone would - it does not seem unreasonable to ask responsible members of an advanced society to try to avoid harm to others. It seems like you’re really angry at Cohen for not choosing abortion…  sort of like she set back the case for people who do choose abortion. Most of us have very conflicted feelings about abortion. In fact, national surveys have shown that most people do NOT think abortion should be used casually as a form of birth control - or, in your parlance, "were ready to deal with the possibility of pregnancy: they terminated it." That’s a VERY shaky definition of preparedness, to say the least.   

As to my comment about your vicious attitude, perhaps a better word choice on my part would have been "hostile." Can we agree on that?

Margo, to your comment that "people do the best they can": It’s a nice sentiment, but you know it’s not true. Not everyone does their best all the time or even most of the time. Sometimes it’s too much work, sometimes we just have selfish reasons… but occasionally (or frequently) people do things to hurt others, knowing they’re going to hurt others. Even parents do not always choose to do their best by their kids.

It comes across as dismissive and naive to make a blanket statement that people do the best they can. While I agree that M. would be better off if she ditched her rage and forgave her mother, it’s for her own health and happiness. Her mother emphatically did not do the best she could. She could have done better, she knows it, and she is clumsily trying to make amends. Let her try to make amends… but do not give credit where it is not due.