Abortion

[Jill_Valentine]

"In other words, I'm pro-choice."

Funnily enough, I got that distinct impression. 😀

But this thread, no matter how heated it gets, isn't actually going to change the world, or laws on abortion, or social attitude to it. It's just asking people what they think, even if their opinions are wrong (IE. Different From Mine) The thread is asking whether people think it is "right" or "wrong" so they have to respond in those terms. Unless I've misunderstood your post entirely,and you're saying that authorities should have no right ot make the decision for you, in which case I'll wait til I think nobodies looking and then edit this so that it looks like I made an actual logical statement... 😀

 

[Rayne]

Wow...quite a thread here...I say it's not that simple.

I agree with much that's been said here and I realize that there are many factors when looking at a subject as sensitive and as grey as this one. Many different sides to come at it from.

As a general rule I feel that you should take responsibility for your actions. I realize that condoms and other contraceptives aren't always 100%. I also realize that going through an abortion is a painful and sometimes emotionally, as well as a physically, debilitating expierience. Just as it would be extremely difficult to carry a child to term and to give it up. So I only offer this. If you aren't ready for the responsibility or the consequences of something then maybe you have no place partaking in the high risk behavior. I realize that there are yet MORE factors but lets face it, this could prevent MANY of these unfortunate expieriences from becoming a reality. As far as having "needs" there are other ways couples can be intimate than just intercourse. I'm only saying that I'm hearing a lot of people talking about how horrible abortion and adoption and unwanted babies are so I would just naturally think that if it's that bad they could obstain from specific sexual activities to prevent such an outcome. Especially for the younger members.

Don't misunderstand me, I think that if a woman wants to have an abortion it's her right to do that. I'm not going to judge or condem or lecture. And I am not speaking from a religious standpoint. It's not my life and I'm not the one that has to live with it. In fact I've been very supportive with friends that have in the past. I especially find it a valid option with rape cases or cases where the women are at risk or suffer from substance abuse.

As for myself I don't find abortion as a choice for me. I am pro life in my case. I've known since I was 11 that if I were to consent to have sex and a child should result from it I would be accepting the responsibility of that life. Also why I didn't have intercourse until I was 18. And anyone who wants to tell me I don't know because I've not been in that position, well, you're right. And that's one reason I haven't. Even when I became pregnant in my marriage I admit I wasn't really ready but nothing would make me give her up. EJ wasn't ready either which is why when we discussed it I was ready to leave him if he opted for termination. Luckily that was not the case. I just know that abortion is not for me. As far as if I were raped...I'm not sure but I'd probably opt for the morning after pill right away than to wait and go through that.

This is not a topic to be taken lightly and again, I am not one to tell someone what to or what NOT to do...I am simply sharing my view on it. I respect all of your views and I can see from every side of it. Even Beer_Nut and his view on the women that use abortions as a form of birth control. Yes, it is few and far between I would hope but it DOES happen. I have known of a few. There are some people that just don't care. And that's how. I don't find it that hard to believe when I look at the world today. I would personally wish that some people, as in men as well as women, would just not be allowed to reproduce. But again, just my view. Lots of things to be considered...hope nobody here has to suffer anything so difficult if they haven't already...and for those that have my heart goes out to you. It obviously can't be an easy thing to have gone through.

 

[eponinethen]

With all honesty, I don't think anyone should have the right to say what is "right" or "wrong" for a woman to do in this type of situation

No, course it isn't.. But the people who think that it is wrong aren't talking about this or that situation, they just think it's wrong, the whole thing. (Well, most of them think so.) It has nothing to do with if this is right for the woman, it has only got to do with the not yet really existing baby..
(Not posting this as something against your post Lethe.. I have written almost the same thing is this thread.. I was just thinking.)

I am very pro-choice.. And I agree with you completely, it's weird to even have this discussion because it can't be anoone's decision except for the girl/woman who has to live with the consequenses..

 

[SpikedBuffy]

There is all this talk about: "Well, If I am not finacially stable or emotionally ready to have a child, then of course I would abort it."

Or, a 13 year old should not be required to carry a child when she made a mistake.

I guess I am finding myself thinking about what sex really is. Yes, it is mainly an act to fulfill human desires, but basically, boiling right down to it, sex really just is reproduction. Humans, animals, insects. Most living things partake in some sexual contact to produce offspring. Even animals that are asexual reproducers, still have the name of sex in their reproduction method.

So, I'm thinking that if people could find other ways to control their desires (We don't all go out and do lines of coke or shoot heroin because we need some kind of a rush, we do actions that will help fulfill that, like going on rollercoasters, or things like that. So, it is possible to abstain from an animalistic desire) Education, personal motivation to keep yourself in control, values and lot of other things we even stop us from having this conversation.

And, yes condoms and birth control are not always 100% effective, but there are other methods. Checking when you are ovulating, abstaining from sex about two weeks before your projected period, using BOTH condoms and birth control, and keeping your head screwed on tight would all help alleviate this. But in America, we are too concerned about being 'politically correct' and protecting the innocent children that we are not educating them, and we are leading them to make these decisions that are not simple 'mistakes'.

Am I making any sense here?

p.s.: I am still Pro-Life. Just wanted to keep everybody clear.

 

[Lethe]

There is all this talk about: "Well, If I am not finacially stable or emotionally ready to have a child, then of course I would abort it."

Or, a 13 year old should not be required to carry a child when she made a mistake.

I guess I am finding myself thinking about what sex really is. Yes, it is mainly an act to fulfill human desires, but basically, boiling right down to it, sex really just is reproduction. Humans, animals, insects. Most living things partake in some sexual contact to produce offspring. Even animals that are asexual reproducers, still have the name of sex in their reproduction method.

So, I'm thinking that if people could find other ways to control their desires (We don't all go out and do lines of coke or shoot heroin because we need some kind of a rush, we do actions that will help fulfill that, like going on rollercoasters, or things like that. So, it is possible to abstain from an animalistic desire) Education, personal motivation to keep yourself in control, values and lot of other things we even stop us from having this conversation.

And, yes condoms and birth control are not always 100% effective, but there are other methods. Checking when you are ovulating, abstaining from sex about two weeks before your projected period, using BOTH condoms and birth control, and keeping your head screwed on tight would all help alleviate this. But in America, we are too concerned about being 'politically correct' and protecting the innocent children that we are not educating them, and we are leading them to make these decisions that are not simple 'mistakes'.

Am I making any sense here?

p.s.: I am still Pro-Life. Just wanted to keep everybody clear.

And what if that 13 year old was impregnated against her will? What then?

 

[ProphecyGirl]

And what if that 13 year old was impregnated against her will? What then?

Well obviously she should have controlled her desire to be raped or stopped him and said "Mr rapist, please use a condom"

 

[SlayerThe]

Well obviously she should have controlled her desire to be raped or stopped him and said "Mr rapist, please use a condom"

I feel that comment was inappropriate.

Still Pro-Life except in instances of rape, incest or when having a baby would kill the mother.

Why shouldn't a fetus be considered a human being? I feel that that is discrimination.

 

[ProphecyGirl]

Why shouldn't a fetus be considered a human being? I feel that that is discrimination.

And what do you feel this discrimination is being based on?

 

[SlayerThe]

And what do you feel this discrimination is being based on?

The fact that every living being should be respected. They have the exact same genetics as us and there not given a fair a chance. Somehow they are being singled out because there not as "important" as regular humans that walk around. Every human being should be treated equally and given a chance to fulfill there truest right, the right to live!

It's not a babies fault if its mother didn't use proper protection (unless in special circumstances), so why should it have to be killed when its an innocent? Does any human have the right to kill another, even if it is its offspring?

 

[Lethe]

The fact that every living being should be respected. They have the exact same genetics as us and there not given a fair a chance. Somehow they are being singled out because there not as "important" as regular humans that walk around. Every human being should be treated equally and given a chance to fulfill there truest right, the right to live!

It's not a babies fault if its mother didn't use proper protection (unless in special circumstances), so why should it have to be killed when its an innocent? Does any human have the right to kill another, even if it is its offspring?

I don't believe it's truly "alive" as much as humans are that are born. It's just cells....

 

[eponinethen]

The fact that every living being should be respected. They have the exact same genetics as us and there not given a fair a chance. Somehow they are being singled out because there not as "important" as regular humans that walk around. Every human being should be treated equally and given a chance to fulfill there truest right, the right to live!

It's not a babies fault if its mother didn't use proper protection (unless in special circumstances), so why should it have to be killed when its an innocent? Does any human have the right to kill another, even if it is its offspring?

No, it's not the baby's fault.. But it's not really a baby. It's not a child/human being until the (don't remember which)th month, and after that they don't do abortion.. (At least not here.)

It depends on where you draw the line, some people are against birth control too..

 

[Lethe]

No, it's not the baby's fault.. But it's not really a baby. It's not a child/human being until the (don't remember which)th month, and after that they don't do abortion.. (At least not here.)

It depends on where you draw the line, some people are against birth control too..

You always, always know what to say!

 

[ProphecyGirl]

The fact that every living being should be respected. They have the exact same genetics as us and there not given a fair a chance. Somehow they are being singled out because there not as "important" as regular humans that walk around. Every human being should be treated equally and given a chance to fulfill there truest right, the right to live!

It's not a babies fault if its mother didn't use proper protection (unless in special circumstances), so why should it have to be killed when its an innocent? Does any human have the right to kill another, even if it is its offspring?

re-post :sigh: :rolleyes1

As Jill so aptly pointed out, it comes down to what you define as life. I don't define the fetus stage as a living entity. What is life? As soon as the egg is penetrated is that life? Are condoms just small abortions? They stop the possibility of life. Should we outlaw those as well? Technically they are stopping the life of an unborn child. It's really quite ridiculous. Who has the right to define life? Is a man on a life support living? He's being artificially kept alive is that truly life?Who has the right? No one. Who has the right to force someone to produce life? No one.

furthermore--a bundle of cells is not a baby.

em·bry·o In humans, the prefetal product of conception

ba-by-A very young child; an infant

 

[Eowyn]

I dont think it's so easy to be either pro life or so.... It has a lot about personal views and how your life looks... and HOW you got pregnant. If I let's say - got raped, I might not want to keep the baby, just because it would remind me that I actually got raped... But I might keep it as well, thinking that I might not get another chance to get a kid or something... Like I said: it's what kind of person you are and what your thoughts on it all is.

If I just happened to get pregnant after sleeping with my boyfriend, I would keep it. I wouldn't use abortion unless I had no other choice. But I might give it up to adoption if I cant take care of it. I think that there's a lot of choices other than abortion but... hey... it's what kind of person you are and what you think of abotion that decides in the end so... Im pretty much both but a little more pro life than pro choice 😉

 

[SlayersDestiny]

I have to admit that I chose Its not that simple. There are many ways that this topic can be debated and I applaude each and every one of you on your differing views. I have visited this scenario 3 different times and none were easy options. When I became pregnant with our second child I was told by my OB/GYN that I was to have an abortion because I had been given and MMR (mumps,measels,rubella) shot and that our child would be born deformed... my choice was not to abort and I am glad that I didnt, he is a wonderful and healthy 14 yr old right now. It was a risk I was willing to take.
My sister in law became pregnant (while on birth control) about a yr ago and chose not to carry the child to term. While in my heart it was a major turmoil for me to deal with, I accepted her decision since she was no longer with the father and he was a drug user. She was financially and emotionally unable to take the risk of having a child that perhaps would have health issues and medical needs that she would not be able to provide. Her decision has haunted her to this day and will continue to bear pain to her soul.
There has also been discussion of aborting if the female had been raped. This is an issue that is close at hand to me and something that I do not readily disclose to many... I was a product of rape and my mother chose to keep me and raised me to the best of her abilities (this is no joke.. it is something that my mother intrusted to me right before she passed away, a secret that she held for 36 yrs). I must say that although it was something that rocked my world to the core, I have to admit that I gained a new sense of admiration for her because of her courage to take an act so monstrous and nurture it into a strong and hopefully balanced person (ME). I believe that each person has to make the best decision for them and that no judgement should be passed till you walk in their shoes (this is just a statement and I do not believe that any judgement has been made by anyone posting).

 

[\/Fred\/]

I gotta agree with my sissy totally on this one here. I am PRO-Choice aaaalll the way! I can't imagine how'd some of the anti-abortion people would act if their 13 year old child was raped and said she didn't want to have the kid. "Sorry darling gotta have the baby!" Like no way I'd do that to my child and I'd hope no one would do that either.

 

[Jacklyn]

To re-iterate what some have already stated, at the position I am in in my life right now, I could not see MYSELF having an abortion unless I was raped. But, I do believe in abortion for other people. As the abused child of two parents who weren't expecting a baby, I feel that it is a better choice for an unfit parent to abort a child then to treat them like dirt growing up and constantly make them feel unwanted. It is also better to abort a baby then to starve it to death after it's born because you don't have money for food.

But aside from all that, abortions will be done whether they are legal or not. And that's the problem. Illegal abortion can result in the death of the mother from infection as well as in the ruination of her reproductive tract. Also, if abortions are not available, you can be sure to expect the number of dead babies found in dumpsters to go up. And believe me, Pro-lifers can't want that...

 

[Faith]

I feel that it is a better choice for an unfit parent to abort a child then to treat them like dirt growing up and constantly make them feel unwanted. It is also better to abort a baby then to starve it to death after it's born because you don't have money for food.

I'm with you on that one hon, but I don't think it should be the first choice. If they don't want the child they could give it up for adoption for people who want a child but can't have one. But again even this is not black and white, its all down to the girl who is pregnant. Do they want to go through with the pregnancy full term if they are not going to keep the baby? Or do they just not care, they just don't want it and thats that. Its easy for us to sit and say what should be done but it doesn't come down to us, we are just airing opinions.

 

[ProphecyGirl]

Many of us aren't airing opinions. Many of us know first hand and have been there. I might randomly mention that I have a deep faith in Christ and yet I am pro-choice. Would I be that way if I didn't know what it's truly like to be there? Maybe, Maybe not.


I find it so hard to believe that many here are so steadfast in a belief.... when they have no concept of its true reality..

Adoption & Pregnancy....it's not always as easy as Friends makes it out to be.You truly need to be there to understand and I hope no one has to be there to finally understand.

I hope that some people's minds would open up a little bit more and truly imagine yourself in that circumstance and then say "no way, nuh uh, no how, never, ever , ever wouuld I get an abortion". It'd odd how life changes opinions.

 

[elmo]

As the abused child of two parents who weren't expecting a baby, I feel that it is a better choice for an unfit parent to abort a child then to treat them like dirt growing up and constantly make them feel unwanted. It is also better to abort a baby then to starve it to death after it's born because you don't have money for food.

I know exactly what you mean honey. Some people should just not have children and if that means having an abortion then so be it. I feel strongly about people being ready and fit to have children. If they aren't then they shouldn't have them. It's as simple as that.