I know this could be quite the debate, but I want to know your opinions: should abortion be allowed? And, if yes, under what circumstances?
I'm a strong believer in having the right to choose your own destiny, but this is a touchy topic for me. Abortion is such a life-changing decision that it shouldn't be made lightly, but I'm afraid that's what most people are doing these days, especially teens. Personally, I think if a teen girl gets pregnant because she decided to have sex with her boyfriend then it's her own problem. An innocent baby (well, fetus) should not be punished and denied the chance to live just because the girl made a stupid mistake. There are so many people in this world that want to have a child and can't, it just seems unfair that these girls should be able to just get rid of a baby without thinking of the consequences.
However, there are certain circumstances where abortion should definitely be allowed:
- Rape/incest (anything against the girls' will)
- The pregnancy/delivery will be a danger to the mother and/or child
- The baby will come out mentally and/or physically damaged
Even these circumstances are not concrete, in my mind. It is hard to tell whether a baby will be mentally or physically retarded, and many of the happiest people I know have issues like that. Plus, sometimes this doesn't even happen until the delivery when there are problems of some sort.
Many people will probably argue for pro-choice (as others will for pro-life) and I have absolutely nothing against your opinions on the matter. For those fighting for pro-choice, just consider one thing: what would happen if it were the baby's choice? Do you really think it would choose to be killed before having the chance to live? And for those of you that are pro-life: Consider the consequences of rape. I don't believe it's fair to go entirely for one side or the other in this case as it's so controversial and it has many different sides to it.
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I agree, in some instances abortion is an valid option. Anything against the girls will and danger to her or the baby consitutes the right to have an abortion. However, if anybody was in the position of being a teenager not graduated from high school, abortion is a good reason. The mother is not ready to support herself, and obviously cannot support another child. A child should not be subject to live on welfare because her mother made a mistake when she was a teenager. Having an abortion is both benefical to the mother and the child, if the mother is not prepared to be mature enough to take responsiblity. If a mother cannot take the responisbility of using protection, she is not ready to have the responsibility of caring for another life.
I am pro-logical :D
Though I am STRONGLY against there is ONLY 1 instance were I am against this. When the mom is in danger.
Now in response to the other two:
1).Rapes=think they should still have it, are the person just pissed off at the person, and not sane enough to decide on their own?
2).Are we saying that weaker humans should be killed? I don't think it's fair for a women to play god. If the child will come out bad, than they will still get a chance to live. Many kids that have these problems seem to live happy lives.
That's just me, I don't think I would ever abort, perhaps take pills, but never abort.
Heidi - My main argument against this is: if the girl is not responsibile enough to use protection she should not be having sex at all! It's not my fault, or the baby's, that she decided to have sex and get pregnant at 16 when she is obviously too mentally and emotionally immature to have a child and monetarily unprepared. If she thinks she is old enough to have sex and she does so without protection then she should be made to live with the circumstances.
Contymua - I agree that a woman should not be able to play God. However, if a child is going to come out with serious problems (such as paralyzation) then it should not be made to suffer in life. Granted, many babies like this do not suffer and some people with minor problems (slight retardation or something) can live happy, successful lives.
You still need to consider the mother: it's not really fair to ask the mother to have to go through that. I've seen how having a child with problems can affect a family and it's not always pretty. It's also not fair to have the baby put in a hospital, as I'm sure happens in many cases. In the end, I believe this one should be left up to the mother.
There are only four differences between the fetus and the born. None of which I believe to give justice to the killing of it.
1. Size
The baby (or fetus) is obviously smaller than a born person, however the size of a human does not make him more of a person. I am only 5'7'', does that make me less of a person than Shaq? or Michael Jordon? no way! they may be better at basketball than me, but i am just as much of a person as they are.
2. Level of Development
A Baby/fetus is not as fully developed as a born human being. This does not mean it is not a person. My 6 year old sister is not as developed as I am but that does not justify my killing her.
3. Environment
The Baby/ fetus lives inside of it's mother. However, where you live makes no difference as to your personhood. I am no more of a person for living in a house in North Carolina, than an eskimo living in an igloo in Alaska.
4. Degree of Dependency
the fetus obviously cannot live on it's own. It does need it's mother to sustain it. But so does the 2 month old baby. Should we kill a 2 month old baby because it still needs to be fed? no way! that would be ridiculous and the person killing the baby would be charged with murder. Also, the elderly who need oxygen tanks, and assisted living, should they be killed because they cannot live independently, I think not.
Concerning rape victims, I would ask, do two wrongs make a right. probably not. The fetus is a person, it is a baby. Killing it can not fix the pain experienced in a rape. If seeing the child is too painful, it should be put up for adoption. But killing the unborn child can not make you forget you were raped.
My issue with rape is that it wasn't the mother's choice to get pregnant. If the girl/woman willingly had sex and got pregnant as a result then it's her own fault and I have no pity for her. However, with rape and incest her choice has been taken away. Granted, abortion will not make things any better and it won't make the memories go away but the mother shouldn't be punished for some one else's crimes.
I see where you're coming from about it not being fair for the fetus/baby not being punished for these crimes either, but I must say that my first concern is for the mother. While the baby is technically alive and has feelings, I must admit I don't think it is as important as the mother's life. That may sound really harsh, but in most cases (with rape at least) my first concern would be the mother, not the baby.
My issue with rape is that it wasn't the mother's choice to get pregnant. If the girl/woman willingly had sex and got pregnant as a result then it's her own fault and I have no pity for her. However, with rape and incest her choice has been taken away. Granted, abortion will not make things any better and it won't make the memories go away but the mother shouldn't be punished for some one else's crimes.
I see where you're coming from about it not being fair for the fetus/baby not being punished for these crimes either, but I must say that my first concern is for the mother. While the baby is technically alive and has feelings, I must admit I don't think it is as important as the mother's life. That may sound really harsh, but in most cases (with rape at least) my first concern would be the mother, not the baby.
I think that abortion should only be allowed under one circumstance: if the mother is a single parent of another child and could possibly die. I think that protecting the security of that already born child should take priority, for everything else their is adoption options.
Abortion is wrong period to take a infants life is wrong babies are human beings just like you!!!!!!!!!!!!
Until the 24 weeks are up, a woman should retain the right to abort a child under any circumstance, whether it be a rape or irresponsibility. Are you seriously saying you want irresponsible teenagers raising children? I should hope not! And telling them to abstain is unrealistic. Provide information on birth control so that they won't be faced with such a horrible decision.
Adoption is not always the best choice. Couples want newborns, sure, but that doesn't mean the child will be taken immediately. If it were then the Foster care systems would not be bursting to the seams with children.
You should also not be able to force a woman to sustain a pregnancy, particularly if she does not want the child. Pregnancy is hard. It's hard on both the woman's body, emotional state, and clearly her role in society. A woman should never be forced to sustain such a draining entity.
As mentioned above, a woman should retain the right over her bodily integrity. No man, woman, or child is without the right to bodily integrity. If a cousin needed your bone marrow transplant they cannot force you to give it to them. As should remain so with this fetus. Clearly, many women are willing to allow the fetus to lease her womb, but a woman should nver have to.
"Abolition of a woman's right to abortion, when and if she wants it, amounts to compulsory maternity: a form of rape by the State." ~Edward Abbey