It says much that the only kind of response Cunningham’s critics could muster ranged from digital finger wagging to bizarre petitions. She wasn’t doing anything illegal, though critics could have attempted to claim her reasoning didn’t meet particular NHS guidelines in the UK. And, indeed, this would have made a stronger case than simply shaming her because her career choice seemed gross to them.

What exactly did her critics want? They’ve conveyed they think she’s a terrible person, isn’t “worthy” or “deserving” of a child and so forth—now, they want her to have a child? I’d think her critics would consider her perceived frivolity as a reason for her not to be a parent. If I was someone who hated Cunningham, I’d be thankful that a child would no longer be a factor in the life of someone I consider a terrible person.

Assuming a woman really does not want to give birth, what kind of intervention do critics actually want to see? As we know from looking at countries where abortion is illegal, if people really want an abortion, they will find a way to acquire one. And this adds in unnecessary medical risks. At best, critics can try persuading—but judging from the death threats and insults, persuasion doesn’t seem the point here. Condemnation of others because they don’t meet “superior” standards, however, does.