The hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion emerged on social media on Sept. 19, letting women throughout the country voice their personal experiences of abortion.

For many, this was a way to tackle something that is very rarely, if almost never, talked about. Why, in a society where most taboos from decades ago have become norms, do we not freely talk about abortion experiences? Most women are told to keep the experience hushed and are made to feel shameful for going through with it.

The trend was started by two women who are deeply worried about efforts Republicans are imposing on the non-profit organization, Planned Parenthood.

Many may think Planned Parenthood only exists to perform abortions, but that is far from the truth. Planned Parenthood provides many services to women, such as Pap tests, breast exams and ways to prevent unintended pregnancies, according to its website.

Also on its website is this important statistic: Only 3 percent of all cases that are handled at Planned Parenthood are abortion services.

This is not to say that Planned Parenthood should not be able to perform all of its services. Abortions should not be a taboo, hushed topic in our society.

As a nation, we are constantly talking about the importance of separation from church and state. The government should not be influenced by religious beliefs.

You are not a bad person if you decide to have an abortion. There are many reasons why someone would not want to continue a pregnancy and no one should be forced into having a child they are not prepared for, whether that is mentally or physically.

Of course, many people do not like the idea of aborting. But life brings unforeseen situations in which abortion may be the best option.

The initial starter of the movement, Amelia Bonow, shared her story on Facebook. As a concerned citizen, she had this to say: “I am telling you this [her abortion story] today because the narrative of those working to defund Planned Parenthood relies on the assumption that abortion is still something to be whispered about.”

Bonow and another woman, Kimberly Morrison, want to stomp on the idea that you should have to hide and regret your choice to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, according to CNN.

As word spread and the hashtag grew into a trending debate, it was challenged by an opponent. The hashtag #ShoutYourAdoption appeared to counteract the movement started by Bonow.

A preacher on Twitter tweeted, “This #ShoutYourAbortion hashtag is vile and tasteless. Let’s celebrate #ShoutYourAdoption instead. Better choice.”

These two, completely separate topics should not be compared. Women should not be forced into feeling guilty for the choices they have made on how to live their lives.

No one should be forced into a child that they do not want. There should not be a stigma surrounding abortion in our modern society. Women should not be forced to carry a child to term that they do not want. That experience alone could ruin the safety and mental health of a woman who is unprepared for a pregnancy.

Yes, Bonow and other females who have participated in the trending hashtag may have approached this in a completely in-your-face manner, but they definitely succeeded in getting their message across.

I am a firm believer in doing what you want with your own body. I may not personally agree with the choices some people make, but who am I to judge? You only have this one life, and you should make sure to cherish it and live it the happiest way possible. No one should get in the way of that.

In the words of Bonow, “Your life belongs to nobody but you; don’t ever let someone make you feel any other way.”

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