Pro Choice or Not

[Mrs.Toad]

Ariel Mae, I can't speak for Chobie, but I think that because the OP posed the question not as "would you have an abortion?", but as "should abortion be legal?", some of us are focused more on the legalities. When the first poster (don't remember if it was you or someone else) said "the man should have a say", I took that to mean that person thought that legally, the man should have a say in whether the woman may have an abortion.

Yes, in a perfect world, they would come to an agreement. But we're not living in a perfect world and we cannot legislate that two people come to an agreement on this or any other issue. Legally, the choice must belong to one person alone, and while I really feel for a man who wants to raise a baby that the woman aborted, I don't think he should have any legal say in whether she carries it or not. (Unless he's the next of kin and she is incapacitated or something like that.)

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

female, mother to 4 kids and very pro-choice

 

[Jabber_Jaws]

I'm Pro Choice. Let the mother decide.

 

[Ariel Mae]

Ariel Mae, I can't speak for Chobie, but I think that because the OP posed the question not as "would you have an abortion?", but as "should abortion be legal?", some of us are focused more on the legalities. When the first poster (don't remember if it was you or someone else) said "the man should have a say", I took that to mean that person thought that legally, the man should have a say in whether the woman may have an abortion.

Ah, okay, I see.

 

[LuvDuke]

The final say is dependant upon the 'middle ground' that is reached. I mean, there's really no sure way of knowing how it's going to turn out, but I believe there is an equal say. Both sides should get some sort of input.

Question: Why is it that when we're asked opinions, anywhere, as of late, online and off, if we state one, someone automatically tries to 'debunk' it? (Chobie, this is not directed at you, btw. I meant to post this a while back.) Why does everything have to be come this great debate? Can't we just answer questions anymore?

There is no middle ground. Whether or not to have an abortion is the ultimate woman's issue. For all the BS, no man will ever have to make the decision to have, or not have, an abortion. It is no different than saying a prostate exam is the ultimate man's decision. No woman will ever have to face that.

Abortion is a woman's issue, not a man's issue and it never will be. Donating your DNA doesn't morph into rights. If a man wants to be a father, let him find a willing partner. If he doesn't, he can take care of himself by wearing a condom or have vasectomy.

 

[LuvDuke]

I am a woman and pro-life! When I was 6 weeks pregnant with my oldest child and saw her little heart beating on that ultrasound screen, it brought tears to my eyes thinking about what a miracle it was that this little person was growing inside me. I think all women who go to have an abortion should have an ultrasound before they make their final decision.

I am also a mom and I agree that seeing a child that was conceived out of love on an ultrasound is miraculous. I have also had a very sad miscarriage and I know that loss. But to force a woman who has made probably the most difficult decision of her life have an ultrasound is manipulative and cruel. You don't know why she is laying on that table so you don't know her circumstances. You aren't going to raise that unwanted child, are you? I find this type of "counseling" detestable. It is bullying of the highest order.

It is intended to be manipulative and cruel. That's the idea.

 

[Ariel Mae]

There is no middle ground. Whether or not to have an abortion is the ultimate woman's issue. For all the BS, no man will ever have to make the decision to have, or not have, an abortion. It is no different than saying a prostate exam is the ultimate man's decision. No woman will ever have to face that.

Whether or not they have to face it personally, I believe the male has a choice. That's my view. Can I not answer it without having someone try to change it?

Abortion is a woman's issue, not a man's issue and it never will be. Donating your DNA doesn't morph into rights. If a man wants to be a father, let him find a willing partner. If he doesn't, he can take care of himself by wearing a condom or have vasectomy.

See, that's not a fact, but an opinion, and, as I said earlier, to each their own. I believe the father has a say, has certain rights, because that's my viewpoint. I'm not forcing it. I'm not trying to pass it as fact. I'm just replying to the OP's questions. I don't believe abortion to be 'just' a woman's issue. It's an 'equal opportunities' issue, in my mind. That's how it is. (In my opinion)

Question: How does everyone regard condoms? Is it up to the men to buy them, the women, or both? I believe both should always be prepared, and when time comes, it should be talked out. It shouldn't be a one/one situation, in my view, but both should have a say. "Yes, honey." "No, honey." Sure, there's probably going to be a standstill, but, in my view, better to have a say, than no say at all. Same with abortion, to me.

 

[Alesia]

I have given birth to 4 children. And I am pro-choice. I believe every women in the situation of an un-planned pregnancy has the right to CHOOSE.

As an intelligent college educated person, I don't understand why people feel it is their right to make other people live by their standards, and do things they way and only the way they do things.

Well said!!!

 

[declansdad]

Abortion is a woman's issue, not a man's issue and it never will be. Donating your DNA doesn't morph into rights.

It sure does. Just ask any father paying child support. (Something that they should be paying)

If a man wants to be a father, let him find a willing partner. If he doesn't, he can take care of himself by wearing a condom or have vasectomy.

You can't put all that responsibility on the man, the woman is a willing partner.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm pro-life for myself but I think abortion should be legal. I don't like that people use it as a form of birth control, but I'm not ready to make all abortions illegal to stop that.

 

[JunieJay]

Adamantly pro choice. I'm 100 percent in favor of women having the option and right to a safe and legal abortion.

BTW, making abortion illegal won't stop abortion. The rich will go somewhere else to get one and the poor will go the back alley route.

 

[Banshee]

I am a woman and strongly pro choice.

I believe that a sad desperate woman, making a sad desperate choice shouldn't end up maimed or worse. Abortion needs to remain legal.

Yay! and on the other end of that how about the sad desperate woman or girl that goes ahead and gives birth and throws the baby in the dumpster? I am female and pro choice. Also there are some medical conditions where the mom needs to get an abortion. My best friend in the entire world she is like a sister, found out 3 weeks after pregnancy that she had breast cancer that had spread to lymph nodes she needed immediate surgery and chemo and radiation. She wanted to wait till after the baby was born her oncologist said if she waited her chances of survival were drasically cut. what other choice did she have,NONE she had to save her life.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

this rap video on youtube is worth a look.. Nick Cannon and tatyana Ali are in it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AqPRcF7ZC0

 

[Pigeon]

About 1 year ago I was reading on a debate blog and the question was raised...If a two year old child was in a burning building sitting next to a freezer with 3 embroys in it which would you rescue?" You would surprised how many said "the embroys" because they would be saving 3 lives. I couldn't believe it.

Those people were lying. There is no way a person would grab the test tube and leave the child to burn. If they would, they are lower than low.

 

[Ariel Mae]

Those people were lying. There is no way a person would grab the test tube and leave the child to burn. If they would, they are lower than low

I'd like to believe they were lying, but because I wasn't there at the time of the blog, nor have I read said blog, I'm not going to assume they were lying or telling the truth, b/c I know nothing about the blog(gers). What I do know is that I have no doubts that someone would rescue the test tube over the child. Someone out there, if not someone(s).

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I don't think I could ever personally go through with having an abortion but I would never want to take away any other woman's right to have one if she felt it was the best choice for her. I'm not about forcing my beliefs on other people.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

For those of you who feel the sperm donor has some say over the woman's body - how about this scenario:

Your committed partner found out he has advanced testicular cancer. Treatment will make him sterile.

Do you feel that the woman should have ANY say over the sperm in his body, as by destroying it, it takes away her choice to have a child by the partner? Do you feel she has any decision in deciding if the man should have treatment? Or is it entirely the man's decision on what to do with his body?

I know that conception has not yet occurred, but those sperm are potential children. Does the woman have any rights to his body and those sperm?

Where do we draw the line on the decisions that people can make on other people's bodies?

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I am a woman and pro-life! When I was 6 weeks pregnant with my oldest child and saw her little heart beating on that ultrasound screen, it brought tears to my eyes thinking about what a miracle it was that this little person was growing inside me. I think all women who go to have an abortion should have an ultrasound before they make their final decision.

It is intended to be manipulative and cruel. That's the idea.

I don't see how a sonogram... a medical fact is manipulative and cruel....
If a free sonogram is OFFERED, not FORCED and the woman accepts the offer and sees her baby on the sonogram, how is this manipulative???? It actually takes EVERYONE and EVERYTHING out of the equation and allows the mother to see her baby.... to show her that its not a random bag of floating cells...it shows her a miracle. How is this miracle cruel?

 

[crz4mm2]

I am a woman and pro-life! When I was 6 weeks pregnant with my oldest child and saw her little heart beating on that ultrasound screen, it brought tears to my eyes thinking about what a miracle it was that this little person was growing inside me. I think all women who go to have an abortion should have an ultrasound before they make their final decision.

I am also a mom and I agree that seeing a child that was conceived out of love on an ultrasound is miraculous. I have also had a very sad miscarriage and I know that loss. But to force a woman who has made probably the most difficult decision of her life have an ultrasound is manipulative and cruel. You don't know why she is laying on that table so you don't know her circumstances. You aren't going to raise that unwanted child, are you? I find this type of "counseling" detestable. It is bullying of the highest order.

VERY well said, Freckles and Boo.

 

[littleteapot]

I'm a woman, and you honestly can't convince me there is EVER a good reason for abortion. A baby is a baby inside or outside the body.

Me to. My mind was made up forever when I saw the 8 wk ultrasound of my BABY boy.