Pro-life

Pro-life is a self-descriptive term used in English-speaking countries, and especially the United States of America for those who hold life, or the sanctity of life, or the right to life to be universal values, and seek their enforcement by legislation or constitutional provisions. It originally referred primarily to anti-abortion campaigns, but now covers other bioethics issues such as euthanasia and human cloning. When used as a general term, pro-life refers to a general philosophy about the value of life, but it almost always includes some form of opposition to abortion. Pro-lifers do not necessarily hold the Consistent Life Ethic philosophy, so they have a wide range of beliefs on issues relating to life. For example, a pro-life individuals may oppose abortion and support euthanasia. Some pro-life advocates also oppose the death penalty.

Term Controversy

The term "pro-life" is often used interchangeably with "anti-abortion." Proponents for the usage of "anti-abortion" cite that "pro-life" is a loaded term implying the negative opposite "pro-death" or "anti-life" instead of "pro-choice." Both "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are examples of political framing: they are terms which purposely try to define their philosophies in the best possible light, while by definition attempting to describe their opposition in the worst possible light (being "anti-life" or "anti-choice").

Related Topics:
Loaded term - Political framing

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Opponents of the pro-life view sometimes refer to people who are pro-life with the pejorative terms such as "anti-choice". Pro-life individuals object to this nomenclature, and claim that they approve of choice, instead emphasizing that the unborn child (or fetus) deserves a choice. Their belief is framed in the broader category of the rights of the unborn child/fetus vs. rights for women.

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One view on how to resolve the dispute is simply to accept the terms each group uses for itself. Frequently, this approach is adopted by news organizations or other commentators who wish to remain neutral.

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