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.
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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.
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.
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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Defining life by "A growing mass of cells" would be admitting that chemotherapy and removal of tumors is murder, since the cells grow. Furthermore, the illegalisation of abortion would lead to even worse quality "back-alley" jobs done without any kind of regulation. Thirdly, it's not up to you to decide the rights of a mass of cells with little or no brain function.
What good will making abortion illegal do? Will women just have to go back to using coat hangers? They will find a way abort the baby on their own. I am pro-choice even though I would never choose abortion. But what gives someone the right to take away someone's right to choose abortion simply because they believe it's wrong? Instead of trying to get rid of abortions all together, women should be taught how to prevent pregnancies by practicing safe sex, and the alternatives to abortion. Ultimately, women should have the right to choose abortion. It's their bodies. They should be allowed to be in charge of themselves.
"If you don’t want a baby, then get a hysterectomy." That's really stupid. If you get pregnant by accident at an early age, and you are not capable of taking care of a child financially or emotionally, that doesn't mean you won't want one later in life? I've heard a lot of people use the phrase "timing is everything" and in this case, timing IS everything. Just because I don't want to be a mother while I'm a teenager, doesn't mean I'll want my tubes tied so that I can never have a child. And just because I may want an abortion if I by ACCIDENT got pregnant, it does not make me a murderer. I would not want for that child to grow up poor, and neglected... I think that would be even more selfish - to put a child into the world, just because some people believe that it is murder to have an abortion. Sometimes it is for the better, for both woman and fetus.
Abortion idea should be legall in case of saving the mother's life coz her life is in jeopardy for having the embrio growing up in womb. For medical issue, it could be brought legally.
Comments
Diarmuid:Defining life by "A growing mass of cells" would be admitting that chemotherapy and removal of tumors is murder, since the cells grow. Furthermore, the illegalisation of abortion would lead to even worse quality "back-alley" jobs done without any kind of regulation. Thirdly, it's not up to you to decide the rights of a mass of cells with little or no brain function.
caroline:What good will making abortion illegal do? Will women just have to go back to using coat hangers? They will find a way abort the baby on their own. I am pro-choice even though I would never choose abortion. But what gives someone the right to take away someone's right to choose abortion simply because they believe it's wrong? Instead of trying to get rid of abortions all together, women should be taught how to prevent pregnancies by practicing safe sex, and the alternatives to abortion. Ultimately, women should have the right to choose abortion. It's their bodies. They should be allowed to be in charge of themselves.
Andrea:"If you don’t want a baby, then get a hysterectomy." That's really stupid. If you get pregnant by accident at an early age, and you are not capable of taking care of a child financially or emotionally, that doesn't mean you won't want one later in life? I've heard a lot of people use the phrase "timing is everything" and in this case, timing IS everything. Just because I don't want to be a mother while I'm a teenager, doesn't mean I'll want my tubes tied so that I can never have a child. And just because I may want an abortion if I by ACCIDENT got pregnant, it does not make me a murderer. I would not want for that child to grow up poor, and neglected... I think that would be even more selfish - to put a child into the world, just because some people believe that it is murder to have an abortion. Sometimes it is for the better, for both woman and fetus.
ree_ama:Abortion idea should be legall in case of saving the mother's life coz her life is in jeopardy for having the embrio growing up in womb. For medical issue, it could be brought legally.
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