This is the best article I have yet to read on abortion in the nine year's I've spent in gender studies.
It also reinforces my belief that no woman is likely to undergo (any of) the procedure(s) on a whim, because she didn't feel up to insisting that he wear a condom.
I think everyone should read this article. I agree--knowing what really happens during an abortion, you're not going to undertake the procedure lightly. It rather /sucks/ that the right demonizes those who support "pro-choice"--like, those who have abortions are so cruel that they suck brains out of babies on a whim.
Indeed. That said, I was really impressed by the article's objectivity. I've rarely seen it pulled of as well elsewhere.
Stance in Japan is that abortion is legal and a lot of women have them. There's no anti-choice movement. It's no different than any other medical procedure.
Women who have had abortions often pay to place a small Jizo statue in the grounds of a Buddhist temple. You've probably seen pictures of hundreds of little statues wearing bibs and hats - that's what those are. The family prays for the soul of the baby and apologizes for being unable to bring it into the world. It's something of a cash cow for the temples, but I think it really does help the mothers.
I'm very much in the pro-choice camp, even knowing what happens. I don't think any woman would take the decision to have an abortion lightly. Of course there will be some who regret doing it, but there will be a similar number for whom it is a relief without guilt.
The only time I think any man can tell me that abortion is wrong is if he grows a uterus and ovulates each month, then has becomes pregnant, planned or accidental, and learns how it affects each and every system within his body.
One thing I'd like to learn about is if pro-lifers see the removal of an ectopic pregnancy as great a sin as an abortion. Probably, given that I read an article the other day about frozen embryos being 'children living in a frozen orphanage'.
cause she didn't feel up to insisting that he wear a condom.
Here's a scary thought - I had one boyfriend who thought the condom was supposed to be worn after sex. How that was going to prevent pregnancy I don't know. And you know, he argued with me about it until I made him read the instruction leaflet.
The doctor who spoke about women wanting to cradle the aborted fetus is what really got to me - it's not as if any woman goes into the decision skipping with joy. I also think a good number of women undergo the procedure without guilt, moreover, with the understanding that they're doing the RIGHT THING in a difficult situation.
I've seen lots of babies born to teen mothers in bumblefuck bible belt USA, and IME, those women were the one's acting on a whim. "Oops, guess I'm a mom now." Not a happy situation for those kids, or the mothers once the kids are born.
Don't know about ectopic pregnancies, but MS Magazine had an article around half a year ago about some women whose physicians made them carry their dead in utero babies to term, because inducing labor of the dead fetus would be abortion.
:::tries to figure out how you'd get a condom onto a flaccid penis:::
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ninetydegrees
no subject
on 2006-02-28 07:10 pm (UTC)What's the stance in Japan?
no subject
on 2006-03-01 07:16 am (UTC)Stance in Japan is that abortion is legal and a lot of women have them. There's no anti-choice movement. It's no different than any other medical procedure.
Women who have had abortions often pay to place a small Jizo statue in the grounds of a Buddhist temple. You've probably seen pictures of hundreds of little statues wearing bibs and hats - that's what those are. The family prays for the soul of the baby and apologizes for being unable to bring it into the world. It's something of a cash cow for the temples, but I think it really does help the mothers.
no subject
on 2006-03-01 12:48 am (UTC)The only time I think any man can tell me that abortion is wrong is if he grows a uterus and ovulates each month, then has becomes pregnant, planned or accidental, and learns how it affects each and every system within his body.
One thing I'd like to learn about is if pro-lifers see the removal of an ectopic pregnancy as great a sin as an abortion. Probably, given that I read an article the other day about frozen embryos being 'children living in a frozen orphanage'.
cause she didn't feel up to insisting that he wear a condom.
Here's a scary thought - I had one boyfriend who thought the condom was supposed to be worn after sex. How that was going to prevent pregnancy I don't know. And you know, he argued with me about it until I made him read the instruction leaflet.
no subject
on 2006-03-01 07:22 am (UTC)I've seen lots of babies born to teen mothers in bumblefuck bible belt USA, and IME, those women were the one's acting on a whim. "Oops, guess I'm a mom now." Not a happy situation for those kids, or the mothers once the kids are born.
Don't know about ectopic pregnancies, but MS Magazine had an article around half a year ago about some women whose physicians made them carry their dead in utero babies to term, because inducing labor of the dead fetus would be abortion.
:::tries to figure out how you'd get a condom onto a flaccid penis:::