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

It is Ending a Life Photo Credit: Vincent J. Brown

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

The Child Doesn’t Have a Choice Photo Credit: abchbum.

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.

5. Adoption is Another Option

Adoption is Another Option Photo Credit: Croson Farms

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.

4. Many Women Are Endangered by Abortions

Many Women Are Endangered by Abortions Photo Credit: FOMI Dolls

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.

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3. Doctors Are Supposed to save Lives

Doctors Are Supposed to save Lives Photo Credit: Eric M Martin

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.

2. Times Have Changed

Times Have Changed Photo Credit: topfloor

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?

1. There Would Be Less Mental Anguish Caused

There Would Be Less Mental Anguish Caused Photo Credit: ArtMind etcetera

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?

Top Photo Credit: fernlicht

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

David
2013-01-29T03:57:32.000Z
abortion <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Kassie
2013-04-04T02:07:00.000Z
2% of abortions are because of rape.. 98% are for the womens choice. Let those numbers sink in..
theron
2012-05-06T22:13:45.000Z
im a 17 year old male and my aunt had an abortion and shes the sweetest most loving person i know i understand how people can call it murder but when i see protests outside of an abortion clinic and them shouting at the patients and throwing objects at them it makes me sick if you feel so strongly about it why don't you walk up to her and ask her if you can take the child into your own home then in my oppinoin you'd truly be "Pro-Life"
conner
2012-03-02T15:30:18.000Z
okay, im doing research over abortion for a debate and honestly i dont think it should be illegal. people say abortion is killing someone and not giving them a chance but actually is that baby a someone while its still developing? it obviously doesn't have a personality yet or emotions so its nothing but cells dividing and growing. So in other words, at that time it could be considered a parasite growing inside the mother so i think it should be her choice if she wants to have it or not. that's that.
BornNAbused
2011-03-25T17:39:32.000Z
I was mentally and physically abused when I was a younger child. My father abandoned me at a young age (10). I despised my mother. In a big way. I couldn't stand her hurtful words and painful strikes, getting food taken away, or not having enough to eat. I use to tell her she should have aborted me if she wasn't ready to take care of me. Then I began to realize. She was having a hard time to. My father was gone and she was alone. She was 19 when she had me. Nine-teen. My great grandma wanted to abort me. But my mother said she could not kill a child. I used to wish my mom took my grandmothers choice. Now I am currently 31 and my mother is in the hospital suffering from a heart disease. I tell her everyday she was a great mother, she did her best. Im with her 24/7 and refuse to leave her side. I am a lawyer and an ex-doctor. I have saved lives, I have helped people, and I am still going to. I write poems for abused children talking about how I know its hard, but its all worth it in the end. I also read to the blind on Sat. Now, if my mother had chosen abortion, I wouldnt be here. Doing things I love, helping the poor, helping the blind, deaf, and more. I love doing what I do. And I don't regret living. Those children, dieing, getting murdered before choice, could/would possibly change our world. Do great things. Accomplish amazing quests in life. But killing them is taking away their choice to live, to breath, to wake up every morning to a sun. Going to sleep to a moon and stars. That one baby, adds to the other millions or billions. That one baby, makes a BIG difference. My fav poem says how the baby will never be able to see, touch, laugh, cry, be amazed, and the mother/family will never witness the first giggle, first steps, first carrot, etc. There are many places that will take newborns and find good homes for them. ie- A woman had left her newborn (probably about 2 minutes old) in a garbage can, when a mile down the road, a fire station took in new born babies, no questions asked. There is always a chance for life. Why take it away? Im not saying that woman cannot do so. Im asking them to consider the fact there are better ways. Safer ways. Easier ways. Ways that don't involve killing, murdering, or even harming a child. And many people say that the baby doesnt have brain waves etc, and could die anyway. Well, giving them a chance, is all they need. Your right. A child can die 2mo. 5mo. etc after birth, but that child at least had a chance to live. Isnt that all we need? A chance?
Anonymous
2011-11-09T03:51:04.000Z
Also, people who are against abortion will be called anti-choice, and I mean it's true, to a point. If it were any other situation they'd probably say, it's your choice, but mostly people who are against abortion are religious and so the only reason why they are against abortion is because God gave us the right to life, so you shouldn't take it away, especially if God made it. Well sorry to say this but, we want abortion to be legal so people have a choice to do that IF they want, while people who want it to be illegal want it THAT way because some guy in a fictional book told us we have a right to life.