Back to the “hot button” issue that Ashley and others so passionately responded to. I talked to a friend who I can depend on to tell me what she thinks. She didn’t join the fray earlier because, paraphrasing her, she gets so angry over this issue she didn’t want to just rant. Fair enough. But her (any misinterpretation is mine if such is the case) anger is directed at people who think that “Just tell them not to have sex and abortion won’t be an issue”. Going back to the early 90’s she cites statistics that indicate in the range (conservatively) of 60% of teens that get pregnant have been sexually abused in some fashion, usually by a close family member. This takes the issue of “choice” and erases it.
A young girl has no choice when an older man forces or coerces her, or seduces her in some way not violent. No child has a choice when presented with a powerful (and are not they all to a child) adult. Forced sex alone can lead to pregnancy, and it can also lead to an otherwise cautious girl becoming a less-than-cautious teen.
I know. That leaves 40% “doing it” without obvious coercion. Operative word here is “obvious”. Media, peer pressure, male pressure, lack of self-esteem; the list goes on and on.
My point in bringing this back for a second round is this: merely supporting “choice” isn’t enough. Yes, positively yes. I believe to my core that a woman has the right to choose what happens to her body. But when that choice is co-opted, then without doubt every woman should have the right to choose what to do next.
So folks, here it is: you all have valuable and personal opinions on the subject of abortion and birth control. Fine. Keep your practice of these things to yourself, and let others do the same. Support a woman’s right to choose for herself as you want that right for yourself.
It is only right. It is OK to discuss. It is not OK to impose.
(Sorry to my friend if I have screwed this up.)
Image: www. blackwomanthinks.blogspot.com
A young girl has no choice when an older man forces or coerces her, or seduces her in some way not violent. No child has a choice when presented with a powerful (and are not they all to a child) adult. Forced sex alone can lead to pregnancy, and it can also lead to an otherwise cautious girl becoming a less-than-cautious teen.
I know. That leaves 40% “doing it” without obvious coercion. Operative word here is “obvious”. Media, peer pressure, male pressure, lack of self-esteem; the list goes on and on.
My point in bringing this back for a second round is this: merely supporting “choice” isn’t enough. Yes, positively yes. I believe to my core that a woman has the right to choose what happens to her body. But when that choice is co-opted, then without doubt every woman should have the right to choose what to do next.
So folks, here it is: you all have valuable and personal opinions on the subject of abortion and birth control. Fine. Keep your practice of these things to yourself, and let others do the same. Support a woman’s right to choose for herself as you want that right for yourself.
It is only right. It is OK to discuss. It is not OK to impose.
(Sorry to my friend if I have screwed this up.)
Image: www. blackwomanthinks.blogspot.com
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2 comments:
Wise words found on a bumper sticker: IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN ABORTION, DON'T HAVE ONE.
I totally agree. It is ashamed that evolution just like abortion are still two most feuded topics due to simply a lack of knowledge/understanding. Most of the arguments are based on personal preferences and emotions with very little or none educative understanding. As for instance how can anybody dispute abortion if they don’t have an understanding of the mechanisms governing various stages of oocyte fertilization, transition from maternal to embryonic control and the steps of embryonic development? Spending a decade in the world of science and from those last 5 years studying biology intensely I am still scratching my head in confusion. I will never understand how abortion can be morally wrong, but playing God by putting a person on life support is absolutely fine. How is it that we are so protective over killing few organized cells, and incomplete organisms, but promote war and killing. How is it that people care so much about those undeveloped organs, but once the baby is born nobody gives a damn or otherwise we wouldn’t have 16,000 babies dying because of starvation daily. Regardless of the pros and cons I have to agree that abortion should be a choice….
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