I believe that in cases where;
• there is health risks and complications for the mother, the baby or both an abortion could be an appropriate action.
• Where the pregnancy came about through rape or any form of sexual exploitation of the woman- then I see it as appropriate. I don’t think it has to be a matter of the woman being “raped” per se, but if the women suffers any exploitive or manipulative behaviour that leads to the sex that caused the pregnancy then in some of those cases I believe the woman can appropriately consider abortion.
I do not however believe that people who fall pregnant unexpectedly should use abortion as their first option to consider. I know to some that seems hypocritical after saying I’m very much pro-choice, but I do have my reasoning behind this so hear me out.
I personally believe that if you’re going to have sex, you HAVE to be ready to deal with the consequences (possibly chance of falling pregnant- but also the other consequences, physical and emotional). If you aren’t prepared to deals with those consequences then you really shouldn’t be having sex. And I know some people will be saying, but abortion is a way of dealing with those consequences. Well I say to those people, so is contraception or the morning after pill but some people seem to forget that. In cases of unplanned pregnancies, and I’m not saying in all because heck contraception’s not 100% effective- hell if you want to be critical abstinence isn’t totally effective if you believe in Christ’s conception (but that’s another bag of worms I won’t be entering into) but in ALOT of these cases, the people in question don’t bother with contraception or the morning after pill. They have “unprotected” sex and are then surprised to find out they are pregnant, some (not ALL) then decide well I don’t want the baby, I can’t have a baby now, or maybe even I’m not ready to be a parent, and then some thusly consider first (and sometimes as the only option) that they should get an abortion.
So while I believe that it is ultimately a personal choice that should be left up to the women, I think that people should consider ALL the options before they commit to doing anything or not. But mostly, if you aren’t ready to deal with the possible consequences that CAN happen from having sex, then just don’t have sex yet! Or if that concept isn’t going to be an option then go for it, have sex and lots of it!, but have the sense to do EVERYTHING possible to try and help ‘prevent’ the possible consequences. For a few particularly slow individuals (some of which I am acquainted) this means use contraception, the excuse of I forgot is pathetic! If your having sex and don’t want to have a baby yet then CONTRACEPTION IS YOUR FRIEND, it doesn’t hurt, it’s not very expensive and in the majority of western civilisation it’s not particularly hard to come by!
So just to reiterate, pro-choice is great I’m all for it, but if you’re going to have sex be prepared to handle the consequences whatever they may be, but if you do happen to come face to face with the prospect of having a baby then if abortion isn’t NECESSARY (unlike in the cases like that of Aaron Gouveia and his wife- see link to article below or follow the link from HornyPonyMagics post) then atleast consider the other options, research it, weigh up every available option and then make an INFORMED decision in regards as to what is best for you. If it’s still an abortion after all that, then do it! Just be sure it’s what’s right for you.
Hope this makes people think about their own thoughts on the topic of abortion, feel free to share any opinions below if you want =)
End to rantish blog response
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Aaron Gouveia article-http://goodmenproject.com/2010/10/23/confronting-life/
Bwhahaha on a side note I thought I'd add a little notion in regards to this religious debate of pro-life v pro-choice, I'm not particularly religous, while I like the notion and prospect of a high power and such I really kinda detest the notion of religious 'dictation' of how to believe worship etc etc...anyway from what i do know about most religions however is that the god/gods/deities that are worshipped, most (if not all of them) gave as their gift to US (human beings) the ability to CHOOSE! As such wouldn't it be fair to say that while this god/god/deity may be pro-life that they are also pro-choice as they are the ones who apparantly gave us the ability to do so. Well thats my perception on it anyways....=D Can of worms opened :P
