Abortion... please don't flame! - Page 3

twinstars · #31 08-22-2003, 06:22 PM

A late-term abortion is when the fetus is arguably viable outside the mother's body (probably with the help of technology)- at least that's what I mean when I talk about it. Certainly partial-birth abortions in the 3rd trimester would fall into this category.

I think it's not exactly clear when the fetus's development/moral significance crosses over from being a "ball of cells" to personhood, but it's probably somewhere in the end of the second trimester. Since scientific opinions still differ, it may be best left up to each woman and her doctor to decide where that line is drawn. We may never know for certain.

MaMaBuddha · #32 08-22-2003, 06:30 PM

most definitely...my thing is i am not in favor of those that use abortion as a form of birth control.

in cases of incest and rape...no doubt about it!!!

most people say if you do the deed, keep the seed but it's not that easy if you are not ready mental, emotional and physical to take care of a child. children are expensive. you have to be prepared. i would definitely hate to see another unwanted child grow up in foster homes, young teenage mothers, abused and unwanted because this was not an option.

wishuponastar · #33 08-22-2003, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
I do not presume to speak for every woman when it comes to abortion. I do not support abortion, but I support a woman's right to make whichever decision is right for HER. Does that make any sense???
...
It's a tough decision, to be sure. Not one I'd like to make. And not one I could ever criticize anyone else for making.

AMEN KillarneyRose!!!!! You took the words right out of my mouth!!!!

MareImbrium · #34 08-22-2003, 07:56 PM

I am pro-choice and I know that there are a lot of other opinions going on out there. I once had a conversation with a friend and she said that God was the one who created that life, no matter how the life was created, so what right would anyone have to get rid of life? I had to argue over that. I mean in cases of rape, incest, life threatning situations, or you can't just afford to take care of a people whether it's because of financial responsibilities or you're just not ready for motherhood, what else is there to do? It's hard for a mother to give up her own child up for adoption because there is nothing stronger than a mother's bond for her own child. Plus the baby is still quite undevloped at such a young age and it's not as if you go up to a pregnant person and ask, "So how is your fetus doing?"

AKA_Monet · #35 08-22-2003, 08:11 PM

Let's be honest, abortion--whether to have one or not--is a political issue...

For example, how much does it cost for a 1st trimester abortion these days?

If it is in the $250 range, what kind of poverty strickened teenager is really going to afford a medically safe abortion?

Really, how many of us on GC are willing to say they had an abortion and can really speak on having one, then telling another woman on what to do in that similar situation?

I cannot because I have never been pregnant in my life...

Aside from that, who really are the type of women that actually have the abortions? And I am only talking about the medically safe 1st trimester ones--not partial births--because that may be another topic for a different day.

twinstars · #36 08-22-2003, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA_Monet

Aside from that, who really are the type of women that actually have the abortions? And I am only talking about the medically safe 1st trimester ones--not partial births--because that may be another topic for a different day.

Here's an interesting and somewhat shocking statistic:

"Almost half of American women (43 percent) will have an abortion sometime in their lifetime."

The short article that it came from has lots of other interesting stats about who gets abortions and why: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,880,00.html

If you're interested I'd really recommend taking a look at that Fox News link.

AKA_Monet · #37 08-22-2003, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by twinstars
Here's an interesting and somewhat shocking statistic:

"Almost half of American women (43 percent) will have an abortion sometime in their lifetime."

The short article that it came from has lots of other interesting stats about who gets abortions and why: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,880,00.html

If you're interested I'd really recommend taking a look at that Fox News link.

That's interesting, 'cuz I just read that article and what's even more mind blowing is that:

Quote:

CDC figures for 1995 show that 47 percent are ages 25 or older.

Yet, the say:

Quote:

Approximately 1.5 million U.S. women with unwanted pregnancies choose abortion each year. Most are under 25 years old and unmarried. Women who are separated from their husbands and poor women are more likely to choose abortion than other women. More than two-thirds of the women who seek abortions have jobs. Nearly one-third are in school. More than two-thirds plan to have a child in the future.

So I am a little confused about this, if in 1995, at least 47% of the women are aged 25 or older that are selecting abortion, then why are we having issues with teenagers?

It goes back to an old topic I posted:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...out+of+wedlock

valkyrie · #38 08-22-2003, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA_Monet
Aside from that, who really are the type of women that actually have the abortions?

I'm not sure what you're getting at with this question. Women who have abortions are women who for whatever reason do not want to have a child. I think that is all we can say about them.

tnxbutterfly · #39 08-22-2003, 09:10 PM

I work as an admin assistant at an abortion clinic. I am very pro-choice. Even more so since I started there. I can't say that I would never have one myself. But I can never say never either.

Since I've started working there, it have been a really eye opener. I can just imagine the stress the woman must be under. Making the appointment,getting past the protesters,coming in a going thur the steps for the procedure. It's very difficult and very time consuming. So I could never past judgment on anybody who choice to terminate for whatever reason.

AKA_Monet · #40 08-22-2003, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by valkyrie
I'm not sure what you're getting at with this question. Women who have abortions are women who for whatever reason do not want to have a child. I think that is all we can say about them.

Suffice to say, there is still a whole range of emotions that prompts a woman to consider having an abortion...

Which is why I say that none of us in here who have NOT had an abortion can really say anything to anyone about whether or not to have one... We have not encountered that situation nor do we really know what one goes thru one's mind to consider such an issue...

All we can say it what each of us individually would do if we were to find ourselves in that situation...

And I am still waiting for a woman on GC to proclaim she has had an abortion and to give us her reasons as to why she made that choice. Hey, yes, it is none of my business. And really I do not care. But this issue from all the posts that I can deduce begs the question, should a woman be ashamed of getting pregnant out of the boundaries of a commited relationship--nuclear family and stuff--and then deciding to have an abortion?

Hey, being a single parent isn't such a big deal as it use to be at least 10 years ago... But some us would not choose to take one that cavalier attitude... I just raise the tough questions...

Dionysus · #41 08-22-2003, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DZHBrown

I also have difficulty deciding what to do when it is a life or death situation. If either way, someone is definitely going to die, how do you value one life over the other? It's a heart wrenching decision, I'm sure.
I'm hoping that I said this in a way that doesn't sound disrespectful. These are simply my opinions and how I view the topic.

Correct me if I'm wrong, in Christianity the belief is once a human grasps the difference between right and wrong...and the person chooses to do wrong, then s/he will go to hell when they die if they haven't been "saved". At that stage of life, one cannot grasp the difference between right and wrong, nor grasp that Jesus died for their sins. The baby will automatically go to heaven, but with the mom it is questionable, depending on her beliefs and how she lived her life.

This is the belief, right? If it is, isn't it more appropiate to try to save the mother's life before the baby's, giving the mother a second chance to "come clean"?

PM_Mama00 · #42 08-22-2003, 09:50 PM

I am going to say it.

A few months ago, I thought I was pregnant. I had a really, really bad scare, to the point where everything gave me the idea that I was, but the tests were negative, and finally my lil friend came to visit. What a relief that was. I've never cried so much in my life than I did then. Why? Because I knew that I am not responsible enough, or at all, to take care of a child. Not to mention the guy who could have been the father is a total piece of white trash, who has a kid and rarely sees him or takes care of him. That may be against his will because the mother won't let him, but I would still never trust him with my child. Also, I am from a very strict family. Me getting pregnant would mean me getting kicked out of my house, fired from my job, no car, no school. And my father would also probably have a heart attack, seriously.

The question is would I have had an abortion? I'm not going to lie. I would have. I shouldn't have had sex with him, but we always were very careful and that was our only mistake. We were ALOT more careful afterwards.

Am I a horrible person for wanting to? I don't think I was being selfish in the matter. I was thinking about the possible child, the could have been father, and my family. If none of these were issues I would have just gone on with the pregnancy and raised the child.

I look at my niece and think, OMG could I really do this? And I feel terrible. I still cry thinking about what could have happened.[/color]

AKA_Monet · #43 08-22-2003, 09:58 PM

PM_Mama00:

I applaud your efforts--only you truly know or knew the range of emotions I was talking about...

I can say this, I know of several young ladies that have been in similar predicaments such as yours. So do not ever feel that you are the first one ever to have gone thru what you have just described...

I have seen myriads of tears from those women who have endured the potential decision they would have to make...

I also think that you have gained much strength thru your endeavor and you are capable of achieving any goal you set your sites upon. NEVER EVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY!!!

As far as your potential choice--that was yours to make with any support you needed to get thru that. If you EVER feel that the world that you reside has ever forsakened you--meaning as you described, your parents are strict, you'd lose your job, etc.--just know that there are several folks at least of GC that know where you can find the support you need...

PM me if you have questions.

Stay blessed...

twinstars · #44 08-22-2003, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA_Monet

So I am a little confused about this, if in 1995, at least 47% of the women are aged 25 or older that are selecting abortion, then why are we having issues with teenagers?

I'm not sure what you're getting at about teenagers??

Lady Pi Phi · #45 08-22-2003, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DZHBrown
I also have difficulty deciding what to do when it is a life or death situation. If either way, someone is definitely going to die, how do you value one life over the other? It's a heart wrenching decision, I'm sure.

I don't know if it really matters. But for the record I am pro-choice.
It definitly is a heart wrenching situation.
When I was training to be a lifeguard we were always told that, while it is a lifeguard's legal obligation to help in a lifesaving situation, if you're own life is seriously threated you are to back off. Simplly, it is better to lose one life that to lose two.
For example, if you saw someone drowing and you went into rescue them and they started grabing at you, pulling you under (which is always a risk), we were always told to back away to protect pur own safety. Of course you would try to calm them down in hopes that you could help them, but the fact of the matter is, you might not be able to save them. That why there are steps to take to ensure that the lifesaver/guard does not become a victim as well (ie. reach, throw, row, tow, go, carry).
While I understand that a drowning victim and an abortion are two completely different things, I think what I am trying to say is that in a case where a woman was going to have an abortion because her life was at risk, I don't think think there is anything wrong with putting yourself first.
While I would hate to see anyone lose their life. I do believe that it is still better to lose one life than two lives.