History of Abortion: Opinion Interlude — How Do You Feel About Abortion?
Starting last month, we began exploring the history of abortion with a review of some nonsurgical abortion techniques. We’ll wrap that up this week and move into more current events throughout the month. But in the meantime, let’s take a moment to talk about the issue. How do you feel about abortion? Please respond in the poll below and/or leave a comment on this post. You’re welcome to select a survey answer and elaborate in the comments, or just answer the poll.
Check back for results and more info on the history of abortion in the US and around the world.
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Tags: womens health blog, womens health, controversial issues, abortion, history of abortion, what do you think about abortion, abortion should be illegal, abortion should be legal, lively women, kristen king
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POSTED IN: Abortion, Controversial issues, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Public policy
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6 opinions for History of Abortion: Opinion Interlude — How Do You Feel About Abortion?
Marijke
Mar 5, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I am really torn on the topic. I have a big problem with people using abortion as a form of birth control - and I do know some who have. Yet, I can understand the problem if someone is not ready to have a child. On the other hand, a few good friends of mine did have one earlier in their life and I don’t think it’s up to me to judge if that was right or wrong - it was the right decision for them at the time. It doesn’t change how I feel about them.
I guess I’m technically against it but I feel that it should be legally available to those who do want/need it because otherwise, we’ll end up with an even larger tragedy of the backstreet and dangerous abortions.
Kristen King
Mar 5, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Thanks for your comment, Marijke. I can also understand how someone may not be ready to have a child, but I have a hard time with the thought of aborting a baby when there are SO many options for adoption in this country and thousands of parents who would do anything to adopt an unwanted baby because they can’t have one of their own. So is abortion when you just don’t want a kid a selfish thing to do?
djm
Mar 5, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I personally couldn’t do it but if another woman feels it’s the right thing for her than that is her decision. My daughters are included in that group. I’ll drive to the clinic and sit with her and try to be as helpful as I can. I hope to never have to do that but I will.
Erin
Mar 11, 2008 at 4:16 am
It’s really hard. I don’t think people are actually PRO abortion. Although that’s me just being naive. Some people do view it as a form of birth control. I think people…women and men are just afraid and feel helpless and hopeless and because they’ve made a mistake already they can’t bear to make another one: meaning raising a child when they’re not ready.
I do believe in the sanctity of life, even as someone who is destroying her own…but there is just something miraculous about life…something that makes me honestly BELIEVE in the good of the world when I see babies. Because they’re so innocent. That being said, the government should not be allowed to tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body and her life. I wish there were another alternative…and there are. Adoption. Safe sex. Abstinence. But at the end of the day I wish no woman or man were ever in the position where they needed to make such a decision. To choose one life over another…such a society that we live in when we as women say that our futures, our livelihoods are more important than anothers. But that is the world we live in. One country is superior or at least behaves in that manner. One gender is superior. Another race is superior. Another religion. Sometimes I feel like I cannot be pro-death penalty and pro-life. In my heart, it is murder. The government says we can sentence a man to death for premeditated murder but also says a woman has the right to choose her own destiny. Doesn’t it seem contradictory?
At the end of the day, it is too hard to say. These are my views and luckily for the world we all have different opinions on what is moral and immoral and what we ourselves can live with. Just as I personally could never have an abortion, I could also never join the armed services and fight in a war. I could never destroy someone else’s life. But someone could look at me and say, “I could never do what she does to herself. I could never have an eating disorder. I could never live with THAT.”
Legal abortions save lives though. It gives women a way out of a desperate situation. But it also destroys humanity. It’s really hard. It’s just really hard. But that being said, I agree with what everyone else has said. I’ve sat in the clinic with friends and sadly I’ve given money to those who couldn’t afford to pay for it themselves. And as devastating as it was for me to do that given my own views, I would do it again. The only thing we can do in a situation like abortion is say I love you and I’m here for you and I don’t agree with your decision but I support who you are. I respect who you are. And I respect that this is your decision to make and so here’s my hand if you need to take hold of it.
Kristen King
Mar 11, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Erin, what an insightful comment. I think you really got to the heart of the matter, and I’m so glad you shared those thoughts. Please come back and continue the discussion! :)
Caitlyn
Mar 27, 2008 at 6:39 pm
If abortion were legal, i would not be here today. i think every one deserves a right to a great life. Maybe more people should consider adoption
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