Otseng has mentioned this topic a few times, and I think it's worthy of discussion:
How can the number of abortions be lowered?
Remember, folks: this forum is for discussion toward a common objective, not for debate on the issue of abortion...
Regards,
mrmufin
Reducing the number of abortions
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Reducing the number of abortions
Post #1Historically, bad science has been corrected by better science, not economists, clergy, or corporate interference.
Re: Reducing the number of abortions
Post #43[CitizenX] Hello everybody.mrmufin wrote:Otseng has mentioned this topic a few times, and I think it's worthy of discussion:
How can the number of abortions be lowered?
Remember, folks: this forum is for discussion toward a common objective, not for debate on the issue of abortion...
Regards,
mrmufin
'By common objective' ? Certainly I don't hold this objective myself. Am I disqualified from this thread?
If not, I would like to mention that it seems entirely likely that if abortion were illegal, fatalities from botched illegal abortions would once again become the order of the day.
From a feminist POV, if a society controlled by men arrogates to itself the right to control fetuses, it also arrogates to itself the right to indirectly control women thus strengthening the aformentioned male hedgemony. In short, it is oppressive to women.
There is much else I could mention which tends to suggest that the objective of reducing abortions is quite a bad idea, but I am not quite sure whether I am OT in this particular thread or not.
Still, I do have to wonder why 'reducing the number of abortions' might be considered a worthy objective at all.
And especially I have to wonder about the ethics of forcing a value system by means of legislation on people who do not agree with it. This too is oppressive.
So, it seems to me that if persuasion is insufficient to reduce abortions, legislation to this end will be nothing more than a monument to a failure.
Best Regards.
Re: Reducing the number of abortions
Post #46Hi Citizen X, I'd like to welcome you to the forums if no one has done so already.CitizenX wrote:Still, I do have to wonder why 'reducing the number of abortions' might be considered a worthy objective at all.
And especially I have to wonder about the ethics of forcing a value system by means of legislation on people who do not agree with it. This too is oppressive.
So, it seems to me that if persuasion is insufficient to reduce abortions, legislation to this end will be nothing more than a monument to a failure.
There are many like myself among the Pro-Choice crowd who do not like the idea of mass abortions, and see an increase in the number of abortions as a failure of policy. I agree with Mr. Clinton, who said he wanted to see abortion "safe, legal, and rare."
As I see it, many abortions are the result of failed birth-control methods or lack of knowledge about birth control. Assuming abortions are done by women who do not and did not wish the pregnancy at the time of conception, then we have to assume that the ignorance of or the failure to use birth control was the culprit. Ignorance and failure can be combated by education.
Re: Reducing the number of abortions
Post #47Thanks very much for the welcome.Hi Citizen X, I'd like to welcome you to the forums if no one has done so already.
There are many like myself among the Pro-Choice crowd who do not like the idea of mass abortions, and see an increase in the number of abortions as a failure of policy. I agree with Mr. Clinton, who said he wanted to see abortion "safe, legal, and rare."
As I see it, many abortions are the result of failed birth-control methods or lack of knowledge about birth control. Assuming abortions are done by women who do not and did not wish the pregnancy at the time of conception, then we have to assume that the ignorance of or the failure to use birth control was the culprit. Ignorance and failure can be combated by education.
I take your point - prevention is probably better than cure. And I am very much in favour of education as a primary approach to social problems.
Not that everyone would necessarily agree that abortion is a 'problem'. I once knew a woman whose preferred method of contraception was abortion - she loved the hormonal charge apparently.
Funny old world.
Best Regards.
Re: Reducing the number of abortions
Post #48This goal is somewhat nebulous. One obvious answer would be, "outlaw abortion completely, and declare a nationwide War on Abortion to stamp out the practice". This solution will be quite effective (though not 100% effective, since black markets and do-it-yourself abortions will always exist), but I'm not sure if this is what you really want.mrmufin wrote:How can the number of abortions be lowered?
Re: Reducing the number of abortions
Post #49Hi Bugmaster,Bugmaster wrote:This goal is somewhat nebulous. One obvious answer would be, "outlaw abortion completely, and declare a nationwide War on Abortion to stamp out the practice". This solution will be quite effective (though not 100% effective, since black markets and do-it-yourself abortions will always exist), but I'm not sure if this is what you really want.mrmufin wrote:How can the number of abortions be lowered?
The goal of reducing abortions is a common goal, but each of us has different reasons for doing so. I would hazard a guess that most Christians want abortions reduced or eliminated in order to stop the denial of fetuses becoming people. Others would like to see abortions reduced because of the stigma associated with it, or the emotional trauma it may inflict, or because it is an otherwise unnecessary medical procedure.
The 100% stamp-out solution is not acceptable to the "Pro-Choice" crowd. Similarly, the 100% laissez-faire "abortions for everyone" is not acceptable to the "Pro-Life" crowd. These are both big reasons why this topic is in the "Putting Our Heads Together" forum. It is through the constraint of common ground that we are seeking an answer.
Re: Reducing the number of abortions
Post #50I think the "Pro-Choice crowd" would disagree. Their goal is to make abortions as safe and freely available as possible, which is in direct opposition to your goal.ST88 wrote:The goal of reducing abortions is a common goal
I understand that you want to find some sort of a compromise between the two opposing viewpoints (Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life), but your stated goal does not sound like a compromise. I think that "provide better alternatives to abortion for preventing or terminating unwanted pregnancies" might be a better goal.