Emotional, aren't we? It's understandable as abortion is disgusting, as is the sight of an aborted fetus. I just think it needs to be stated that nobody (nobody remotely sane, that is) likes abortion. It's a very difficult issue and that's why I don't usually get involved in abortion debates. Some of the remarks I made previously weren't directed at you in particular, Darunia, but rather at the average abortion opponent. Last year, a late term abortion doctor was shot to death at his church by a so-called pro-lifer. I find this hypocritical as he was taking human life, which goes against the cause of abortion opponents. Would it have been remotely justified had the doctor not specialized in late term abortions? Perhaps in some twisted sense, yes. Some might feel justice is being done. However, he only performed late term abortions under extreme circumstances, as we mentioned before: when the mother's life is threatened. In the assassin's mind, however, all abortion is wrong all the time always. Religion likely factored into his mindset, adding irony to the church setting in which the murder took place.
I will agree with Weltall that by the third trimester, the mother should have already decided what she wants to do with the baby. Six months of toting it around is more than enough time to make a final decision. If the mother decides on abortion, she should have it performed as early in her pregnancy as possible. It's obviously a lot harder on a teenage girl, especially if she's a rape victim, and so I understand if she chooses not to spend nine months vomiting and being harshly judged by those around her ("Pregnant?! At her age?! What is this world coming to?!"), not to mention the eventual pain of childbirth.
Abortion is not a birth control substitute. Let's face it: teenagers are the horniest people on Earth and most of them are going to become sexually active before they hit 20 whether they know protection exists or not. That's why I can't understand why so many conservatives are opposed to schools teaching children about condoms and birth control contraceptives. (Again, this seems to be rooted in religious morality as the religious right believes that teenagers should be talked out of having sex out of wedlock altogether. Unfortunately, most choose not to listen.)
For the record, I frown upon sexually active girls who have abortions, especially when they continue to be sexually active afterwards. In my opinion, they should bear the burden, have the child, and put it up for adoption. (Lord knows I don't think they should raise their own children.) Should abortion be forbidden if the conception occurred as a result of consensual, unprotected sex? I'd say yes, but then the girl could easily lie and say that she was raped, that the pill didn't work, that the condom broke, etc.
Believe me, I yearn for a more humane way to deal with these sorts of problems and I understand why abortion is so abhorred. Sometimes, it's just the lesser of two evils. I don't like admitting that, believe me. I hate abortion. I just don't think it should be illegal, that's all.
I will agree with Weltall that by the third trimester, the mother should have already decided what she wants to do with the baby. Six months of toting it around is more than enough time to make a final decision. If the mother decides on abortion, she should have it performed as early in her pregnancy as possible. It's obviously a lot harder on a teenage girl, especially if she's a rape victim, and so I understand if she chooses not to spend nine months vomiting and being harshly judged by those around her ("Pregnant?! At her age?! What is this world coming to?!"), not to mention the eventual pain of childbirth.
Abortion is not a birth control substitute. Let's face it: teenagers are the horniest people on Earth and most of them are going to become sexually active before they hit 20 whether they know protection exists or not. That's why I can't understand why so many conservatives are opposed to schools teaching children about condoms and birth control contraceptives. (Again, this seems to be rooted in religious morality as the religious right believes that teenagers should be talked out of having sex out of wedlock altogether. Unfortunately, most choose not to listen.)
For the record, I frown upon sexually active girls who have abortions, especially when they continue to be sexually active afterwards. In my opinion, they should bear the burden, have the child, and put it up for adoption. (Lord knows I don't think they should raise their own children.) Should abortion be forbidden if the conception occurred as a result of consensual, unprotected sex? I'd say yes, but then the girl could easily lie and say that she was raped, that the pill didn't work, that the condom broke, etc.
Believe me, I yearn for a more humane way to deal with these sorts of problems and I understand why abortion is so abhorred. Sometimes, it's just the lesser of two evils. I don't like admitting that, believe me. I hate abortion. I just don't think it should be illegal, that's all.