Abortion Rights

[LawResearcherMissy]

Again, if you doubt that an aborted fetus is more than a removed bunch of cells, ask any woman that has had either an abortion or a miscarriage.

Apples and bananas. AND overgeneralization.

A miscarriage is the involuntary loss of potential life.

An abortion is the deliberate termination of potential life.

I spent ten years as a patient escort. In ten years, I had maybe half a dozen women crying because they felt they had no other choice - often for economic reasons. They wanted babies, but felt backed into a corner - and in a few cases, it was because their asshole boyfriend was either threatening to leave if they didn't abort or had already left and the financial resources were just not there.

The rest? Overwhelmingly, the feeling was relief.

I've never had an abortion myself. I have had a miscarriage, though. And I did mourn, because I had deliberately gotten pregnant (we tell our boys they were brought into the world with malice aforethought), and had wanted to carry to term and end up with another baby when it was all done

The next pregnancy carried to term, and I had a mild stroke on the delivery table. THAT was fun.

If by some twist, both my Pill and my husband's snip failed? I would in fact march myself down to the clinic, and I would abort. I don't want any more children. I'm not interested in a repeat of the youngest's delivery. And with my RA AND my age, I'd be putting myself at risk. No, I wouldn't give it up for adoption - adoption doesn't protect my health. There are plenty of children languishing in care, I don't need to add another child to the pool - even setting aside that lily-white babies get adopted out right away.

I wouldn't feel bad about it, either. I believe that children should be WANTED, and that to bring them into the world when you don't absolutely, positively, with every fiber of you being WANT to? Is criminal.

[cyjeff]

First, I am sorry about your complications and am overjoyed that everything worked out.

Children should be cherished and adored. On that point I agree wholeheartedly.

My point is simply this.... Laws should protect the innocent from those that want to do them harm through force or intent.

That is what separates us from the folks on "Chimp Island".

None is more innocent than a child... especially an unborn child.

Sure, maybe the true answer is to legally sterilize everyone until they can prove they are capable of caring and raising a child... but I wonder how many of us would have made the cut...

[jk]

. but I wonder how many of us would have made the cut...

was that an intentional pun?

[LawResearcherMissy]

Sure, maybe the true answer is to legally sterilize everyone until they can prove they are capable of caring and raising a child... but I wonder how many of us would have made the cut...

Might I refer you to Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga?

It's space opera, but well written space opera, and set in a universe where mandatory temporary (and non-invasive!) birth control for both genders exists. And you can't get rid of your device until you pass an intelligence and basic means test. Very basic, both, just to make sure you're not an illiterate and not going to have to choose between ramen and diapers.

And if the parents split up? There's no crybabying about not wanting to support the child - because you have to pass the tests to get rid of the device.

(There exists also the option of growing your progeny in an artificial uterus, a holding tank of sorts. Eliminates health risks to both fetus and mother, and no one dies in childbirth or from complications thereof anymore. Of course, Miles Vorkosigan's mother, the Lady Cordelia, decides she wants to be "natural", and some things happen, and they shape the trajectory of Miles' life and career...oh, just read the damned books.)

[cyjeff]

See, then we have the problem of the government mandating a medical procedure... temporary sterilization.

And, all of a sudden, we have lost control over our bodies again....

[LawResearcherMissy]

See, then we have the problem of the government mandating a medical procedure... temporary sterilization.

And, all of a sudden, we have lost control over our bodies again....

Sure, but I don't care what they do in Science Fiction.