The way to plan the family is natural family planning not contraception. In destroying the power of giving life, through contraception, a husband or wife is doing something to self, and so it destroys the gift of life in him or her
Mother TeresaRead
The so-called right to abortion has pitted mothers against their children and women against men. It has sown violence and discord at the heart of the most intimate human relationships. It has aggravated the derogation of the father's role in an increasingly fatherless society. It has portrayed the greatest of gifts--a child--as a competitor, an intrusion and an inconvenience.. .
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the conflict surrounding abortion rights and its impact on familial relationships.
Mother Teresa's quote discusses the divisive nature of the abortion debate, emphasizing how it has created conflict between mothers and their children, as well as between men and women. She expresses concern over how this conflict has led to violence and a deterioration of intimate connections, particularly the role of fathers, in society where fatherlessness is increasing. Additionally, she frames the idea of a child, traditionally seen as a blessing, as something perceived negatively by some, which complicates the fundamental nature of relationships.
Themes
AbortionRelationshipsFamilyMotherhoodFatherhood
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about reproductive rights, this quote can help illustrate the deep emotional and relational conflicts involved.
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