As I was reading about this chapter, a lot went through my
mind. One of the biggest things that was going through my mind was my religious
aspect of it. I personally do not believe in abortions but I also do believe
that we can’t just stop talking about safe sex anywhere. People are going to do
it whether or not we tell them. Reading about how some men in Sudan only
receive 1 condom in every five years is awful! When it said “Someday people
will look back and wonder: what were they thinking?,” I definitely wonder what
the heck they were thinking about only giving them one condom every five years.
Another part that really bothered me was when it talked
about abortions. As I said earlier I do not believe in abortions. I feel that
you are killing your unborn child is not okay. Do you think it is okay for you to do that willingly
but when someone else kills you and your unborn child they go on trial for 2
murders instead of one? This link shows what I’m talking about. I know it is a
little unrelated to the book but it gets my point across. If everyone who thinks abortions are okay, then why in one
part of the government do they think that killing a pregnant person who does not want to be killed is not okay?
When George Bush implemented the abstinence only program, I
felt that was kind of stupid. People do need to be educated about it. With
education it will help a little bit of stopping AIDS. In the chapter when they
showed the students the brief video about the dangers it changed everything.
The girls stopped going out with older men and also started using condoms. It might not have been 100% but it definitely got through to a lot of schoolchildren.
I also loved where Jane Roberts helped
support UNFPA by emailing her local paper. That was very inspiring and I couldn't
believe that the UNFPA didn’t believe them at first. It was amazing to see what
happened and eventually getting all those letters with money in it. It’s
amazing to see what one person can do!
Statistically speaking on average males are against abortion and females support it. I can understand both sides of the argument, but like anything worth fighting for in life it is never just black and white. People are continually trying to make this issue a yes or no answer and I personally believe it is not possible why to find one right answer. From a spiritual point of view I believe abortion is generally wrong. However I am more of a scientific thinker. Before two months old a baby does not have a brain. All it is, is a mass of cells and yet for those that do have a brain we still take a way their rights. It feel like a double standard to me.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I try to do with any situation is see both sides of an argument. On the abortion situation I can agree with both sides. I believe that if someone is being stupid and does not us any conceptive or they cheat on there spouse then I feel they need to deal with the consequences. I believe they should go through the experience of having a baby not only will it teach lesson it may become a blessing. This is the times I feel that abortion is wrong. I hate the fact that perfectly health and finically well of people can chose to kill a baby because it may not be a right time or not the right gender. There is no perfect moment to have a baby.
There are times though that I believe abortion may be a better solution. In this country it can take up to two years to adopt a child and how many horror stores have we heard about foster care? The only times I can agree that abortion is an option is in a rape victim, a drug user, and an impaired child. Rape victims do not need a constant reminder of what happen to them. Drug users do not need to get their baby addicted to and cause damage to their unborn child. Lastly, I believe mother who will know their child id impaired and it will significantly hinder the babies ability to grow in all aspects of life, have the right to chose(baby born without a brain, will die within minutes or within a few years of birth). Yes, the child dies but is it more comforting, emotionally, and mentally better on the parents if they can let go before the child has a heart?
I feel that they do have a choice to decide. Kids have no legal say in there own life until they are 18 anyway. In the end I have to believe the parents are trying to do right by their child and attempting to give them a better life. On the spiritual end, we never know what life will bring and what paths we are suppose to go down. Maybe these children are being aborted because someone decided they do not get time on earth but get to travel to the next plan of existence. My biggest argument is that we do not know what lies ahead nor do we know what is truly the right answer to everything. I have to hold faith that every one does the best they can with the cards they have been dealt.
Abortion to save the life of the mother vs. Abortion because it is cheaper than raising a child.
ReplyDeleteAbortion in undeveloped areas of the world vs. Abortion in developed areas of the world.
Abortion for rape victims vs. Abortion for men and women that were irresponsible with contraceptives.
Too many facets to see all at one time.
First and foremost I will state the obvious, the subjects of abortion and homosexuality are very touchy and too broad for a one week blog post and certainly too complicated to mix up in one disorderly chapter of a book. With that said I shall jump in head first by saying, I too believe abortion is wrong. I do not agree with killing unborn babies, fetuses or whatever you want to call them. In past experience I have notice that women do not take men’s opinions on the matter seriously because men do not have to bare the child and also because it is often men that are the cause of unwanted pregnancies, (by way of rape).
Here is my abridged opinion; from a scientific stand point humans do not abide by the rules of nature. Sexual intercourse is for the purpose of procreation NOT PLEASURE. Every other creature in the animal kingdom seems to get that except us. I do not believe in the term “unplanned pregnancy” unless a woman is raped. If a man and a women have sex there should be no surprises when the women misses her period. In other words, the act of having sex is planning a pregnancy. Again, people being irresponsible with contraceptives and having an abortion after they planned the pregnancy (by having sex) is a completely different discussion than a woman contemplating an abortion because she was raped or to save the life of the mother. Do not confuse the different issues. It seems to me that conservatives are sometimes unsympathetic to rape victims and liberals exaggerate the number of abortions motivated by rape when in truth the number of abortions in developed countries like the US are done by men and women that want sexual pleasures without the responsibility of a child. I believe that liberals support these selfish actions not because they like killing babies but because they are sympathetic to the lesser number of rape victims.
As for homosexuality, if two men or two women want to make a happy life together that is great. I think the meaning of life it to reproduce and to make other people happy so at least they are accomplishing one of those things.
I used to think like you, I used to be 100% against abortions. I used to think to myself how could someone kill their unborn child. As I’ve grown up, my point of view on abortion has greatly changed. While yes, I still think that it is very wrong because you are technically killing a soul, there are some people who are better off not having the child in the first place than bringing them into a miserable life. While that still doesn’t justify the issue, there are always special circumstances. For example, if I ever got pregnant because of my racial background and the society I’m from, my parents would disown me and do much worst if they ever found out I was pregnant outside of marriage, therefore if I ever did I would have to think about what would be worst. I just think that it’s not fair to just say that you’re just very against it, because I understand why you would be, but I also think that you’re point of view changes depending on your own personal circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThis topic is so very broad and so very open to argument no matter what your stance. I am comfortable to say that I am a pro-life Catholic and am very much against abortion. Now of course, as is the case with most situations, there are always those circumstances, the "what if's", that can cloud a topic. What if the woman is a victim of rape? What if she is mentally incompetent to handle a child? What if a birth would put the mother's life at risk? For the sake of not getting into every "what if", I can safely say that I think abortion is wrong when situations such as the ones mentioned are involved. Abortion strictly because someone forgot to use, or didn't have at the time, contraception is wrong in every sense.
ReplyDeleteNiveen, I can understand where you are coming from when your culture comes into play and the ramifications that an unplanned pregnancy would bring to you but I think that in our day and age, with the availability of contraception (family planning clinics that offer contraception at virtually no or low cost for the low income), an unwanted pregnancy is something that can be much more easily avoided than an abortion which I think too many rely on as an easy out.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration chose to focus on the abortion part of the UNFPA and the women in Africa who don't have access to contraception, prenatal health care and education on abstinence suffered the most because of it.
Sex education and preparation are imperative to stemming the tide. It is shocking to hear some of the numbers regarding contraception. All women (and men) should have access to at least basic contraceptives. As education has become a reoccurring topic in my comments I feel that I must touch upon it again. While AIDS and other STD’s will probably never be eradicated, the number of cases could drop substantially if people are properly educated regarding safe sex and what may happen if they don’t practice safe sex. As far as abortion goes, I agree that it’s wrong to snuff out a life before it has a chance. However I’m sure there are instances and issues that may lead women to choose to do so. It’s always the individual’s choice what happens to their body. No government should have the ability to hold so much control over its population’s heads.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Bush implementing the abstinence only program because the reality is not that simple. Although it may make students refrain from having sex right away, it won't stay that way forever. So when they do, I think they should be properly informed about the options that are available. Even if they have to travel in order to receive these contraceptions, they should know that they have the option and know what it will prevent. I also think that they shouldn't have cut funds to the UNFPA that was doing really well in lowering the percentages of abortions in Africa. Giving the option of abortion to people who live in shacks, and don't have enough food, money, or resources isn't a bad idea. Although personally, I would never consider an abortion for myself I do believe that every woman should have the choice to do what she wants. This especially makes sense in areas like the ones talked about in the book. As for Jane Roberts and her 34 million friends, I think that short story was incredible. They were right about when you state the option to donate $1 for it is impossible to say no to that when it's going to such a good cause. That was an awesome idea and I'm happy that people like Jane are out there and willing to start that, no matter the controversy surrounding it. Another great thing - when Obama started funding the UNFPA again.. I do wonder how things have improved since then!
ReplyDeleteI also do not believe in abortions. I find this as murder to a child that can’t even speak their mind. It’s that sad? I live when something goes wrong there is a punishment for it. However if you kill a fetus no one is punished for it. I am strongly against this. There is punishment everywhere in here world and when you don’t let that fetus live you are punishing that fetus. That may not make much sense to you but I was talking about punishment in my small group last week (Revelation 21-22) and no matter what anyone says I believe in no abortions.
ReplyDeleteIf someone doesn’t want their child, or knows they are going to have a bad life than they should give their child up for adoption. At least their child could live than. And sometimes they could have a better life that way. I know some of you are strong on your options but think of why other people are saying what they are.
Alright, I'll be the devil's advocate here. I am strongly pro-choice and there are a mountain of reasons as to why, none of which need to be validated in this post and I find the notion that I didn't "think" about why other people are against abortions insulting. Simply having the child than giving it away seems to be a common belief for a solution to the moral dilemma of abortions. The biggest problem there is, what are the services to that child after birth? We, in America, currently have over 500,000 children available for adoption yet those who fight for those children to be born, make no attempt to adopt or care for them. Hundreds of thousands of children float through the foster care system and many ultimately end up in prison as a result of their "chance at a better life".
ReplyDeleteAlso, the majority of State governments inside America do not recognize the killing of a pregnant woman as two acts of murder unless the child was removed and took a breath prior to its death. It has to be proven that the lungs were inflated and the child lived outside of the womb, making it a person. Until then, it is a fetus.
There are many reasons in countries outside of the U.S. that abortions should be considered an option. In the Sudan women are constantly beaten and raped. Should they have to continue to carry child after child conceived in violence against their will? Should a sweatshop worker's only option be to throw herself down a flight of stairs because she can't even feed herself let alone a child?
It should never be forgotten that we live in a privileged country where we can choose to be pro-life. That is not an option for every woman on this planet. Rather than bickering over whether or not abortion should be legal, our time would be better spent determining ways to eliminate the ignorance, rape, poverty, and illness that force women to resort to that option.
I feel like the topic of abortions is something that we'll never agree on, so ill have my own opinion and they'll have theirs. I cant control what someone else does or says, but I can control what I do and say, everyone is aloud to have an opinion and I think its unfair to say that one way is the best, so im not even going to voice in on that topic.
ReplyDeleteI noticed a lot of people saying the same thing, people are going to have sex whether or not you say they can, I totally agree. its going to happen one way or another, so preaching abstinence isn't really the solution. I feel like they should be teaching about sex from every angle, from protection, STD's, and safe sex. If you tell someone not to have sex, what are they going to do, have sex, it doesn't work that way. So I do agree about how the abstinence program was kind of stupid. But he was only trying to help, he did good on addressing the issue, he just needed more ideas I guess you could say. The section about Jane Roberts was awesome! again going with our theme of how one person can make a difference.
Yes we do need to be educated about sex because there are some unfair views
ReplyDeleteon sex. Sex is treated as if people can't handle all of aspects of sex and peoples' natural desire of sex are not meant to openly converse. Growing up in my community sex was taught to the young , "don't think about it" and if you did think about it you were looked at as if you were evil possessed and needed an exorcism. Sex is a very natural and important part of life that should be taught to all students and mandated.
I am 100% on your side with everything you talked about! Charging someone murder of two for a pregnant woman but someone not considering abortion murder at all! How does that work? I talked in my other post about the same thing with talking about abstinence; if people want to have sex, they're going to have sex. As much as I don't agree with Obama, I agree that what he's doing will help, at least a little bit, with unplanned pregnancies and families. I'm excited to talk more about this and hear other opinions on this matter in class next week!
ReplyDeleteI believe proper sex education is so important in today's day and age. In school teachers should address the issue with students starting in middle school. When I was in fifth grade the teacher who taught health class was very confusing. Her lessons didn't make sense and I was left thinking that I would get pregnant as soon as I kissed a boy. This displays the issue that sex is something educators want to dance around because it is an awkward subject. For example my seventh grade health teacher blatantly said "I don't want to talk about sex with you guys! You know all about that by now. Let's move on to a new topic." However not addressing what sex is only heightens the number of unwanted pregnancies due to lack of education and information. An "abstinence only" approach doesn't work. By ignoring the subject or saying that you "should never have sex" will not work. In teenage years most people rebel against commands which means they will probably rebel against preaching of an "abstinence only" lifestyle. The more practical solution is to provide students with information on contraceptives, condoms, and how to avoid contracting STD's. I also believe that parents should broach this sometimes uncomfortable subject with their children so they know that their kids understand the topic of sex completely. As for the subject of abortions I believe teenagers, young adults, and adults should be educated on all options they have as they become sexually active, it is their personal choice on how to treat their own body. However with condoms and birth control so easily accessible through clinics such as Planned Parenthood I don't believe that abortions even have to be an option with financial assistance available in this country. But with Planned Parenthood and prescription birth control you have to be eighteen to obtain these materials without parental consent. Another problem is a social stigma associated with these organizations and decreased funding which leaves lesser income individuals with fewer options. The most important lesson taught to teenagers and young adults should be to have responsible sex, not to shame them for having sex, because let's face it humans have sex and most do it before they are married. Many teenagers don't want to confront their parents and ask for permission to get birth control because they are afraid of their parents responses; this only leads to unwanted pregnancies if they have sex anyway. That's why I believe we have a long way to go in the approach of educating people on sex. But most importantly it has to be a topic that is talked about not ignored.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need parental consent to obtain prescription birth control from any doctor or clinic. I received it at a discounted rate from PP when I was 16 without parental knowledge let alone consent. That confidentiality prevented me from becoming pregnant at a young age because I wasn't able to approach my parents about it, even though I wish I would have been able to.
DeleteI agree with you, that the government currently has a huge inconsistency in that double murder issue. I would like to see abortion counted as murder. Due to the fact you are indeed killing a living, breathing person. Who are you to decide whether someone lives or dies, even if they are unborn. They are helpless, and have no say for themselves. They cannot fight for themselves. So how is this different than killing a born baby? Is it because the baby isn't alive until outside the womb? Because that is false. There are kids who remember being in the womb. And what about kids who are born prematurely? Technically they wouldn't be alive for another 2 months, right?
ReplyDeleteCelia, I'm with you where how shocked you are about the 1 condom / five years. I thought that was crazy too and couldn't believe how low that number was. I'd like to think they'd receive more. Education can go a long way. I think instead of telling people you need to stay abstinence, I think educating them about sex and safety would be the better route. Because like you said, people are going to be doing it anyway. At least if they are doing it, then they're educated about it rather than thinking they need to abstinence. Although I'm bias when it comes to the belief of waiting to have sex before marriage, that is how I was raised. Not a abstinence thinking, but my mother has raised me with education and theology about waiting for marriage. Anyways, I definitely think it's wrong that the government thinks that killing a pregnant person who does not want to be killed is not ok, but they don't think abortion is not ok. It's hard to wrap my mind around that people see things so differently than we do, that we think it's totally un-normal to think like that.
ReplyDeleteWith the medical definition of life, it does not start until birth so you can see where killing a pregnant woman does not count as a double murder because in medical terms, the child was not born yet making them not counted as alive. It gets very technical and is definitely a grey area for most people. I can see both sides of it, but based on the medical definition as it stands right now, it is counted against. But maybe one day the definition may change. Most people may view abortion clinics as a place for young women to go to get rid of something they did not want, but people do not account for the lack of education. Also, some women have to get an abortion due to medical conditions of either complication while pregnant, or their body not physically able to carry a baby to full term that they were not aware of before. No matter ones thoughts, opinions, or religious views, abortion clinics should remain and not have a negative connotation to it.
ReplyDeleteYes! I was appaulled to know they only recieve one condom every 5 years! That is sickening, sad, and I might say disheartening when people here in America have the opportunity and money to get them daily and they don't because they like the feeling of sex without condoms. I'm not for abortion at all, but I believe it is up to the woman to make that decision, but no one should more or less of a person or human if they do such a thing. I never thought of the connection with abortion and murder of two individuals. I wonder if it matters what time in pregnancy the woman is murdered?
ReplyDelete