Abortion - What Do You Think?

[Guest]

alright, gentlemen, I have to intervene

 

I've always found it laughable that people can sit around and calmly, logically reason about the length of the embryonic period, when the fetus becomes a baby (essentially same thing), etc, etc. More often than not, the debate about abortion is reduced to a scientific argument about the anatomy and physiology of a woman's body. But is THAT what this is all about? Come now. While I myself have been spared the necessity of making this decision (thank god!), I've come across many college age women (and even high school girls ) who do, in fact, have to decide. There's no torture worse than this one for a woman, to my mind.

 

I know that to me, if I were ever faced with this, debates such as the one about the length of the embryonic period would be highly irrelevant. Do you really think that it's going to matter to a woman who just lost out on a chance to bring a life into this world, to care for it, to love it, to see it grow and become a good human being....do you really think it's going to matter whether she got the abortion on day 269 or day 271???? No. It wouldn't matter at all.

 

Now, re: RU 486. I've stated elsewhere that I'm pro choice, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm pro-abortion, two stances that are often mistaken for one another. On a moral level, I think abortion is wrong, plain and simple (under any circumstances, even rape, yes, even rape). However, a woman should be able to choose. A difficult choice, but nonetheless, a choice that should be made available, as it currently is under Roe vs. Wade. I shudder every time I think that with Bush's ascendancy to the Oval Office the Roe vs. Wade decision could conceivably be overturned.

 

RU 486 is just an extension of the abortion debate. Yes, I think it should be made available on college campuses, for a number of reasons. First, consider the demographics. Who gets abortions? More often than not, unmarried women. Where are unmarried women found in greater numbers? On college campuses. This is also the population that doesn't make a whole lot and is unlikely to have health insurance. University health centers offer a whole host of health services at no cost. Additional services not available regularly are available at a reduced cost. Also, UCLA, for example, gives the students the option of purchasing health insurance at a lesser cost. The article brings up the question about the readiness of college health centers to deal with possible complications. Most major universities have excellent facilities and exceptional doctors. Next point: the pill doesn't belong on a college campus, along with condoms, etc. What's the goal of any educational institution, pray tell? To educate. I don't see how it would harm anyone if women in this position were informed about the availability of the pill. They would still be making the decision whether or not to proceed. College age women are adults, thereby eliminating the question of minor status and parental consent.

 

It's an option, it should be available and accessible. College health centers make that possible

 

Gayane

[Guest]

Gayane,

 

Don't fight me... I don't face the danger of unwanted pregnancy I am just a speculator

[Guest]

Martin, what an insensitive and even cruel thing to say...if a man like you can say that, what hope is there for less worthy specimens of the species? (how's that for ambivalence?..lol)

 

But seriously, that's just it!! Men are just "speculators" when it comes to this issue. I know you don't want to think about this, but what if your daughters were in this situation. What then? How much of a "speculator" will you be then? (hate to use below the belt tactics, but they work)

 

Sorry, this was a little emotional

Gayane

[Guest]

Gayane,

 

I don't use my daughters for the sake of an argument. I will leave them out of this.(:

 

On a substantial level, what should I say, that abortion is immoral, is killing, etc.?

 

I am old enough not to make such sweeping statements?

 

You know by now that I am a libertarian person, and I respect everybody's personal space.

 

There is one thing only a person in my position can do - not to be the source of the problem, in the first place

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by Gayane:
More often than not, the debate about abortion is reduced to a scientific argument about the anatomy and physiology of a woman's body.

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I think that is an important part of the issue on a national basis. Since pro-lifers always bring up that it is "murder". The timing of a woman having one is crucial.

quote:

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Originally posted by Gayane:
I know that to me, if I were ever faced with this, debates such as the one about the length of the embryonic period would be highly irrelevant.

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There's a difference there. You are now talking about an individual faced with the decision. Not the legality of abortion. I agree that the timing to this person is irrelevant. Day 1 is as emotionally painful as Day 270.

quote:

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Originally posted by Gayane:
I've always found it laughable that people can sit around and calmly, logically reason about the length of the embryonic period

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You are assuming I have not been in the position of dealing with the issue first hand. Faced with a embryo that was clearly not viable, my wife and I dealt with things we are discussing here. While we did not have to decide about the taking/non-taking of a life, some of the other issues above arose.




[This message has been edited by Pilafhead (edited October 25, 2000).]

[Guest]

Mike,

 

I somewhat disagree with you on the subject of the length of the embryonic period.

 

I think scientifically speaking, if the fetus can survive on its own, in lab conditions for example, which is not unheard of after the 6th month of pregnancy, it is not an embryo, but a person.

 

Being somewhat lax on the issue of abortions in general, I think the late-term abortions are some of the most hideous practices.

 

I think the scientific thought does provide answer to the paradigm embryo or human in a robust manner – it is defined by the question can the fetus survive outside mother’s body?

 

But I also understand that there always are exceptions to any rules.

 

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by MJ (edited October 25, 2000).]