URGE Executive Director Kierra Johnson Talks 42nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade and What It Means To Young People
January 15, 2015
“Young people are among the most people who know what the barriers are to abortion, in addition to the stigma around sex and sexuality including abortion. Young people are often the folks that can’t afford to pay for an abortion out of pocket. They’re also less likely to have insurance, and given the number of clinics that have closed across the country, geography has become an even bigger barrier for young people who might not have a license or don’t have a car or ways to get hundreds of miles away to the closest clinic.
On top of that, there are 38 states that require parental involvement before having an abortion. No, it’s not the 1970s, but young people are uniquely versed in the many barriers to accessing abortion services. Young people know the importance of supporting and respecting women’s reproductive decision making. No matter our age, when personal health decisions are ours to make, we are all stronger and young people get that. Just like it meant in the 1970s, it means something today.”
