Editor's note: It's come to my attention that many of you are hurt and angry about the following article. Let me be clear: I agree with you. The opinions presented in it are beyond abhorrent. I understand your sense of betrayal, too, to read such an article on what's otherwise such a supportive place for women. This article was submitted by a freelancer in 2010, and had I been editor at that time, it would never have been published. To be honest, my gut reaction was to delete it as soon as you all brought it to my attention. But then I realized something. That if this terrible article sparked a debate, made us angry, and got us talking, especially in this time when, increasingly, our reproductive rights are threatened, maybe it has value. Maybe it could act as an ugly catalyst, one that's started a conversation most of us are too polite to start. I loathe this article. It's inflammatory, judgmental and hurtful at best, ignorant and divisive at worst. But we're talking about it, and even though it keeps me up at night, sick and angry, I think it can stay. For now. - J
There has been and probably always will be many discussions about abortion. People will always have different opinions of what is right and what is wrong. Abortion is an issue that raises a lot of flags for many people. Here are 7 reasons why abortion should be illegal. Feel free to share your opinions in the comment section, but remember that everyone is entitled to an opinion and it doesn’t make their answer right or wrong. It is merely a personal opinion.
7. It is Ending a Life
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Some consider abortion to be murder since the being inside the mother is living. The definition of something living includes the ability to grow, which is exactly what is going on inside a woman who is pregnant. An abortion ceases the growing process, therefore ending the future life of a human being. This little being may not start off with a heartbeat or brain activity, but cells are still dividing and allowing it to grow.
6. The Child Doesn’t Have a Choice
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Children can’t and don’t ask to be born, this is purely an option only adults have. Whether the woman chose to get pregnant or not, pro-life individuals feel that abortion is taking the right to live from a human being. This is a right that an embryo cannot defend. Some people say that humans only get to exercise the right of choice once they are old enough to reason, but others feel that a competent adult can also speak for those who are unable to do so on their own.
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Abortion is a highly divisive issue, with many people believing it should be illegal. One of the main arguments against abortion is that the fetus does not have a choice in the matter. While the woman may have chosen to become pregnant, the unborn child cannot defend their right to life. Furthermore, some believe that even those who are not yet able to reason should have their right to life respected. The decision to have an abortion should not be taken lightly, as it has the potential to affect not only the mother, but the unborn child as well.
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Adoption is always brought up when people talk about aborting an unwanted child. The idea of aborting a child who would make a welcome addition to another family’s household is expressed by many pro-life individuals. There are tons of people who get rejected when they apply to adopt a child, which makes the idea of adoption seem far-fetched to these individuals. However, most people feel putting a child up for adoption is much better than going through an abortion.
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Adoption is a great option for those who are unable to conceive or don't want to have a child of their own, and there are many benefits to considering adoption. Adopting a child can provide a loving home to a child who may otherwise not have one. Additionally, it can provide financial stability and emotional support to the adopted child. It is important to note that adoption is not always an easy process, and it can take a long time to find the right family for the child. However, it is a great option for those who are considering it and can be a rewarding experience for both the child and the adoptive family.
Not all abortions are handled in a manner that is both sanitary and done by a professional. Abortions can be very expensive, which causes some women to seek services wherever possible. There have been quite a few cases of women dying, becoming sterile from a botched abortion, or ending up in the hospital with further complications. I don’t know if making abortions illegal would help this though. I do think that it would lessen the numbers of women who endanger their lives by looking for abortion services that aren’t up to par.
The modern version of the Hippocratic Oath doctors take doesn’t specify that doctor are only to save people and make them better, but it is expected of them. The classic version of this oath actually has the phrase, ‘…I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy.’ and the original Hippocratic Oath states, ‘…I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.’ Any mention of not performing an abortion has been taken out of the Hippocratic Oath, but not from the minds of people who expect doctorsto save lives.
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Everything else has evolved over the year, so why not the idea of abortion? Sure, abortion, child abandonment, and even infanticide were all once permitted under Roman law, but that doesn’t make them humane. Leaving your child on someone’s doorstep or committing murder are both considered a major penalty, so why not abortion?
Women who go through an abortion have to always carry that thought with them. They often wonder what their child would have looked like, acted like, and what type of person he/she would have been. No matter how strong a woman is, an abortion causes mental anguish that never truly goes away. At least with adoptiona mother or father has the chance to see what their child has become.
Whether you are for or against abortion, these 7 reasons why abortion should be illegal tend to cause the thought process to churn. 30 of the 50 states in the US had laws making abortion illegal, until the decision of Roe v. Wade nullified these restrictions. After 1973, abortions were made legal all through the US, yet many would be more than happy to see them made illegal once more. Do you feel abortion is a woman’s right or something that a third party should decide?
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Abortion should be legal for the sole reason that NO ONE is allowed to decide what is right for you other than yourself. You cannot see into the minds of every woman, you don't know their stories and you don't know what they go through or how they think. It's arrogant to assume that you know what's best for everyone. When it comes down to it, the only person who can make decisions in your best interests is yourself. Not the government, not your spouse, not your family, etc. Even if abortion WAS made illegal, it would in no way stop it from happening. The practice would simply be driven underground and more women would be hurt or possibly killed. There is a way to lower the abortion rates, however, and it's called SEX ED. It's called free contraception. It's called more resources and less stigma for unmarried, single mothers. However, you Americans are VERY reluctant to do this. The bottom line is that no one should be forced to do something with their bodies that they don't want to do.
just wanted to say that exery day approximatly 5,760 children become orphans PER DAY!Every YEAR 14,050,000 children age out of the system Simply to give up a child is NOT a solution. Women spending thousands of dollars on in vitro fertilazation just to have their own child is selfish. My best friend is adopted and if i never met her there's no doubt that i would not be here today. Part of being a parent is learning how to be giving,patient and slefless. why not adopt? also if a man and woman are not ready to raise a child then they shouldn't have sex, it's time people take responsibility of their actions.
I think the right thing to do is make abortion illegal for good
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Emily:Abortion should be legal for the sole reason that NO ONE is allowed to decide what is right for you other than yourself. You cannot see into the minds of every woman, you don't know their stories and you don't know what they go through or how they think. It's arrogant to assume that you know what's best for everyone. When it comes down to it, the only person who can make decisions in your best interests is yourself. Not the government, not your spouse, not your family, etc. Even if abortion WAS made illegal, it would in no way stop it from happening. The practice would simply be driven underground and more women would be hurt or possibly killed. There is a way to lower the abortion rates, however, and it's called SEX ED. It's called free contraception. It's called more resources and less stigma for unmarried, single mothers. However, you Americans are VERY reluctant to do this. The bottom line is that no one should be forced to do something with their bodies that they don't want to do.
siesie:just wanted to say that exery day approximatly 5,760 children become orphans PER DAY!Every YEAR 14,050,000 children age out of the system Simply to give up a child is NOT a solution. Women spending thousands of dollars on in vitro fertilazation just to have their own child is selfish. My best friend is adopted and if i never met her there's no doubt that i would not be here today. Part of being a parent is learning how to be giving,patient and slefless. why not adopt? also if a man and woman are not ready to raise a child then they shouldn't have sex, it's time people take responsibility of their actions.
RJ:I think the right thing to do is make abortion illegal for good
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