Abortion is one of the most controversial subjects out there, so I don’t want to get in a huge debate over here about whether abortion is right or wrong. We all have our beliefs and I respect yours like I’m sure you respect mine.
I don’t want to talk about whether abortion is right or wrong, per say, what I want to talk about is this article that I was directed to by Vitamin G the other day.
“The 9-year-old girl had been raped by her father. She was 18 weeks pregnant. Carrying the baby to term, going through labor and delivery, would have ripped her small body apart.”
The lead of the article alone almost brought tears to my eyes.
I’m sure everyone has heard of Dr. Tiller by now, the late-term abortion doctor who was shot to death in Kansas recently when he was attending church.
Yes, Tiller did perform late-term abortions. And, yes, there was controversy surrounding them. I think we can all agree he didn’t deserve to be shot for it, but what about doing the late-term abortions in the first place?
I wouldn’t agree with it if it was a woman who just suddenly decided to not go through with her pregnancy, or one that didn’t even realize she was pregnant until then. BUT, the late-term abortions that Dr. Tiller was performing were for women who wanted their babies, wanted them very badly, but found out that they were going to be born brain dead, or born alive but die within minutes after their birth. Those kinds of things. The thought is heartbreaking.
I am pro-choice, and if I found out that my baby was going to be born brain-dead, in severe pain, was going to die shortly after birth etc. I would probably choose to have a late-term abortion. I don’t like it that people call these women murderers, because that is probably the hardest choice they will ever have to make in their entire life and I don’t believe they deserve to be looked down upon for making it. My god, that little girl was NINE years old. She had to BEG to have an abortion. In my opinion it would be cruel to force a 9-year-old girl to give birth, more cruel than a late-term abortion.
I read a very interesting essay in a magazine about a year ago about women who had late-term abortions rather than give birth to a baby that would die shortly after. On the other end of the spectrum there were women who KNEW their baby was going to die shortly after it’s birth but they chose to have it anyways because they didn’t believe in abortion. So they gave birth to their baby, held it for a few minutes, or if they were lucky a few hours, and then it died. Can you imagine? Maybe I’m selfish, but I think I would have the abortion rather than carry a baby to term that I knew was going to die anyways.
It’s a heated topic so let’s not get all judgemental in the comments, just tell me what you think about Dr. Tiller’s murder and also what you think about late-term abortions for medical reasons?
Update: Thanks for all the great, insightful comments today guys! Check out this VERY interesting post over on Storked! about a woman who was told she had NO hope because her fetus had developed a heart tumour, she chose NOT to have a late-term abortion even though the doctor’s told her the baby had no chance of living and then a miracle happened… Her son is now 10 years old! Read the article here, it’s so interesting!
Miracles do happen. Do I know what I would do if I was in that situation? No. Am I incredibly happy that I have the right to choose when/if the time comes? Yes.
{ 18 comments }
this is where my own father fails to understand my reasoning. I am the kind of person that tries to see both sides of every story. maybe every now and then I might only strongly agree with one side. But when it comes to abortion, i am pro choice. I am the kind of person that thinks that if it is life threatening — then by all means, have an abortion. if i was raped, there’s now way I would EVER keep the baby. EVER. my dad actually fails to see the reasoning behind it. he always says, well what if your mother and i decided to abort you, I’m like you missed my point! agh. can’t reason with my dad.
I am pro-choice as well, though unless there were extenuating circumstances with either my or the baby’s health I don’t think I’d have an abortion - I had enough trouble getting pregnant when I actually wanted to that I don’t think I could abort if it was simply a matter of ill-timing or a crappy partner. That said, I think it is important for women to have the right of choice for their own bodies and lives. Adoption is a great option, but you still have to take care of yourself while you are pregnant; if you’re not going to, then maybe you shouldn’t continue with the pregnancy.
I think it is so important to have the option of safe late-term abortions for medical reasons. Some people’s bodies just can’t handle pregnancy and sometimes things don’t work out quite like we had hoped or planned. It is tragic, but I think it’s important to have the option of doing what is best for both mother and baby.
Dr. Tiller’s death is so sad. Late-term abortions get a bad rap, but when it comes down to it, he was helping women who needed help in the saddest of times.
Wow. A nine-year-old? That’s so sad!
I agree with you. I’m completely pro-choice. Every woman has the right to choose, especially if she was a victim of sexual abuse! Medical reasons are tough, but it’s still a personal choice.
It does bother me a bit when women choose to have sex and get pregnant, then have an abortion. Of course, I still believe it is their choice, and it wouldn’t change my opinion of them, personally. Would I have an abortion? No. I’m still not even sure if I’d have an abortion due to medical reasons. Again, though, that’s my choice, and every woman has that right.
I saw a video once, asking protestors what they thought abortion was. “Murder” was the common answer. When asked, “If a woman has an abortion then, should she get the same punishment that a murderer would get? Sent to jail for life or even the death sentence?” Their responses mostly consisted of, “Well, um… No? That’s between her and God.” It really bothered me because it seemed hypocritical and judgemental. (And it was!) Women should have the choice to have a (safe!) abortion if needed.
I think of my 9 year old niece when I read this story, and it makes me sick to even imagine.
Raised Catholic, I was taught that abortion is wrong and every child deserves a chance. I was also taught these views by men who chose to molest boys. This isn’t an attack at the Catholic religion, just simply an observation.
As far as my personal views, I’m pro-choice, but I think there needs to be a limit on the time in which the abortion can be performed. An abortion at 8 months? No way. Especially if Mama and baby are healthy.
I was looking up views on Abortion one day, and I click on “images” for everything on Google. It’s a bad habit that I’ve since broken because of the day I clicked on Images for Abortion. It’s nauseating.
In cases of rape, incest or the well being of the mother or baby, I’m FOR abortion. But if the woman simply can’t raise a child due to financial reasons, I say put the child up for adoption. There are plenty of families who are unable to have children and would give anything for a happy baby.
I, like the other ladies above, am pro-choice. I think Dr. Tiller’s death is a complete tragedy and it makes me question our ability to be reasonable human beings. If people were to truly introspect and think about the reasons as to why some of these late term abortions occurred, they would understand why. I respect those who disagree with late term abortions under these specific circumstances and applaud them for their personal strength and enduring faith.I truly believe however, that this murder was performed as “a matter of principle” - which can sometimes be insensitive and misinformed. What a disgrace…
it would be SO unfair to force this girl to suffer through a full term pregnancy… especially after she already went through something that is clearly very traumatizing.
i am pro-choice, and wouldn’t consider a woman a murderer if she found out her baby would be born brain-dead or die immediately, and choose to have an abortion because of that. However there are so many women who hear they’re having a boy but want a girl, so decide to get rid of it and try again.
unfortunately there are just too many people who abuse these rights or priveleges (for lack of a better word), and because of that the entire concept looks bad and so does the doctor.
it’s just a horrible situation all around, and i agree with everything you have to say about it. very well put.
The hardest part for me, is as an educator, I see what happens to these kids that protestors fight for the right for them to be born, but they do not fight as hard for their rights when they are here. There are so many children I see on a daily basis who are neglected and live in conditions I think NO ONE should. But where are the protestors for them? Where are their advocates?? It kills me when I work with students who just need LOVE, CARE, DIRECTION, DISCIPLINE, PARENTS. I sometimes cannot even stomach to call some people parents. They are simply the egg and sperm donators. Honestly, if my child was going to be born to a short life of pain, I would end it immediately. However, if it was an iffy situatinon, I would ride out the storm. But I can say that, because I am NOT in that situation. Thank goodness for choices, something we should NEVER EVER take for granted. (end rant..sorry.. )
This is one of those things that always gets to me.
I am pro-choice. It’s a woman’s body. It’s her baby. It’s her right to choose what she wants to do.
However if faced with the guarantee of a healthy baby I’d likely carry it to term and put it up for adoption if I didn’t think I could handle it.
If I knew there was a medical problem? Well, that’s a whole different story. I wouldn’t want to cause my baby pain, my family pain, only to hold a baby for a few minutes. I can see the case for late-term abortions.
Now, on my soap box for a moment, perhaps if we had better sex-ed programs, better parenting classes, more affordable forms of birth control (both birth control for women and men) perhaps abortion wouldn’t be such a hot topic. I am appalled that the US has decreased funding substantially to places like Planned Parenthood because now? More teen pregnancies. More spreading of diseases. I realize that hormones rage and etc but if we had some better programs and etc in place then maybe, just maybe, there would be fewer sick babies, young mothers, and abortion wouldn’t be in the limelight.
I definately agree wholeheartedly. I grew up being taught that abortion is a bad thing and blah blah blah, and while I am still pro-life, I’m also pro-choice too. There are instances where abortion is necessary because the world is not as black and white as everyone tries to make it seem. In the case of the nine year old girl getting raped and pregnant, hell yes she should be able to have an abortion. She is in no way capable of caring for, or giving birth to a baby not to mention how many birth defects the baby would have seeing as she got raped by her father. I also think abortion should be ok if it puts either the Mother or the baby’s life in danger, because it would be selfish to go ahead and have the baby knowing that you’re going to die leaving he or she without a mother.
I have always been pro-choice. It is a women’s right to choose what to do with her body.
I love the point that Em brought up. All these activists fight for the rights of these unborn children now but what are they doing about the ones that are here and neglected everyday? I guess everyone has their cause they work for, but still. Very good point.
What happened to Dr. Tiller was unfortunate, he did not deserve to die. I don’t know a whole lot about him but it sounds like he took the rare cases, and ended a lot of pain for many women.
I have a real problem with the labels “pro-choice” and “pro-life”.
I am pro-life because I can’t think of a single situation in which I would personally have an abortion, my faith compels me to see the value in even unborn life, and I think that, with so many people longing to be parents adoption is the better choice when the issue is whether or not somebody wants to be a PARENT.
I’m also pro-choice because I think that, legally, there HAS to be an avenue for women to have an abortion if they need, or want, one. I mean, if there weren’t this poor little girl would be forced to go through even more trauma than she already has. Well, even WITH laws on the books she had to struggle. It’s so complicated. I’m also pro-choice because I think it’s my body and I should decide what happens to it.
Just because I’m pro-life in a lot of respects, I don’t think my personal beliefs should be imposed upon society at large…so pro-choice too. It’s conflicting, if you can’t tell
What happened to Dr. Tiller was horrible. If we’re going to call ourselves Pro-Life we need to respect *all* life, and that means not murdering people who we disagree with.
Sorry for the super long comment!
Regardless of my own beliefs, I think it’s incredibly hypocritical to take a life in the name of saving others. This level of extremism is in complete value contradiction with the principles the perpetrators claim to be upholding and safeguarding.
The late-term abortions for medical reasons are certainly a touchy issue. I don’t think I could do it myself, but I certainly respect people’s decision to not have to prolong a painful emotional experience. If there was no chance for the baby’s survival, I’m sure it would be a very difficult situation that you can’t put yourself in unless you’ve experienced it firsthand.
very interesting post today. I was shocked when I heard about Dr. Tiller’s murder. it is just outrageous and I feel so bad for his family. church should be a place of peace and safety, not violence and hatred.
I am pro-choice, though I can say today that I would never get an abortion. But I also believe that you don’t know really how you will feel or what you will do until you are in that situation. I am 24 and if I were to get pregnant, I feel I am old enough to take on that responsibility and care for a child. But had I gotten pregnant when I was in high school, my choice might have been different. And for that poor 9-year-old girl, I agree that an abortion– though a horrible choice to have to make– is best.
I don’t personally agree with late-term abortions but I do understand that there is sometimes a medical need, whether it be for the safety of the mother or because the fetus is not viable or will die soon after. Still, I think I would give birth to my child even if I knew it would be stillborn or die soon after. Like you said in your update, miracles can happen. And I think, for me anyway, it would be less traumatic at that late in the pregnancy to just go through with the birth than have an abortion. Especially if the baby would live for a little while. At least then I could say hello to the child I had carried for nine months. Those are just my feelings on the issue.
p.s. sorry not to comment on the last couple posts, so busy with work. but I did want to say that I love that photo of you holding your first check for your writing. I remember how happy I was to get my first freelance check! I had written a story for a magazine right after my internship ended, so my editor got the company to agree to pay me. I actually got paid a lot for that story, more than a dollar a word, and the story was only 300-ish words. Even though this was 3 years ago, I still remember how excited I was to get that check in the mail! (too bad I didn’t take a pic!)
I’ve always been pro choice, but my perspective on abortion has become more nuanced over the last several years. I think abortion has just become an issue we rage about to distract ourselves from other things. Roe v. Wade will not be overturned, but we keep arguing about it instead of trying to address the major underlying problems. I’m pro choice because there is a history in this country of men having control over women’s bodies, of the rich having control over the bodies of the poor, and all other kinds of similar oppression. But, my interest is in preventing abortions–not making them illegal.
I think late-term abortions get a bad rap, because they are most often done for serious medical reasons. I’m sick about Dr. Tiller’s death less because of what it means for abortion rights and more for what it means about the radical and violent left and right in our country. When it comes to the issue of abortion, I’d rather dialogue with people who want to do something other than rant and instigate violence, and I think that’s most people. What I’m saying is that I don’t want radical things like this to distract from the real issue. We spend too much time talking past each other on abortion when if any of us were really concerned about life, we’d be working on preventative measures instead.
I’m pro-life and don’t think abortions should happen at any point in the pregnancy, regardless of the reasons.
That said, no person should ever be murdered, including that doctor. I don’t agree what the way he was practicing medicine, but that does not give anyone the right to end his life!
Glad to be back - I was wondering why my Amber Alert section of the reader wasn’t so full! I’ll have to update my reader!!
I am pro-choice. Having said that, I do not think that abortion should be used as birth control. Having a challenged child is a big task and I wouldn’t judge a woman that decided to end the pregnancy of a challenged fetus, be it late or early term pregnancy. It is a very personal choice and we shouldn’t judge nor be judged by anyone when making a personal life decision.
Guess I’m in the minority. I don’t think one person should have the choice to decide whether another person lives or dies. That means that I am opposed to abortions as well as murders like that of Dr. Tiller (as well as the death penalty and any other blatant taking of another person’s life). As far as medical abortions go- I think that these are so rare that they really don’t need the consideration we give them. The vast majority of abortions are just due to an unplanned pregnancy caused by misuse of birth control- these are typically healthy pregnancies that would come to term if not for the abortion. Forced with the decision of whether or not to have an abortion for medical reasons, though, I’d go through with the pregnancy. Better to give a child the fighting chance. It wouldn’t be the first time doctors have been wrong about whether or not a child will live or die. But that’s just my personal opinion. I think all abortions are mistakes, regardless of reason, but I’m not going to call women murderers for having them. It would be an extremely difficult decision to make, especially since most women faced with the decision are not educated as to their child’s chance of having a happy life and the cognitive capacity of a fetus at different stages (which is typically a lot greater than people think it is).
~Amanda
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