On abortion, in general
Jun. 2nd, 2009 06:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pecuniumOver at Slacktivist is begun, what shall almost certainly prove to be an interesting; and fruitful, discussion of abortion.
Right at the top, however, came a comment about the nature of what the pro-choice side ought to be considering.
Let me just add an addendum: I know that most pro-choice folks don't think abortion is a good thing either (and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise), just that many believe a woman's bodily autonomy is so important that the right to abortion has to be absolute. That's why some, such as Amanda Marcotte at Pandagon, who I admire greatly, says that anything that even hints at any limitations on abortions (such as the already mentioned "safe, legal and rare" theme), shouldn't be entertained. But that's a view that I think will hurt the pro-choice cause with many Americans.
I don't, for a second, doubt the sincerity of the statement. Nor her (I assume female from the handle, "Daughter") belief that abortion ought to be legal.
Here is my view on the matter:
Abortion should be legal.
Abortion should be the woman's call. Not the state, not her partner, not anyone else. She can get all the advice she likes, talk to her parents, her spouse/lover/partners/best friend/worst enemy. She ought to see medical opinions on the possible risks to her health.
But the call is hers. First, last, and always.
Abortion ought to be available. None of the tricks of hemming it so firmly only the wealthy can manage to get it. No putting it in the hands of a doctor, or a health board or any one else (see above, the decision is hers)
Abortion should be rare. Not because of social stigma. Not because of cost, or a dearth of access to it. Not because the hurdles to getting one are too many, and too high.
It ought to be rare because it is rarely needed. Pregnancies should be wanted. That means comprehensive sex-ed. It means readily available birth control. It means all the social support needed to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
And it means when a pregnancy is unwanted, it can be terminated.
So yes, I agree, safe, legal and rare. But not rare because of any outside pressures. Rare because the choice is less often needed.
Comments at Pecunium
Right at the top, however, came a comment about the nature of what the pro-choice side ought to be considering.
Let me just add an addendum: I know that most pro-choice folks don't think abortion is a good thing either (and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise), just that many believe a woman's bodily autonomy is so important that the right to abortion has to be absolute. That's why some, such as Amanda Marcotte at Pandagon, who I admire greatly, says that anything that even hints at any limitations on abortions (such as the already mentioned "safe, legal and rare" theme), shouldn't be entertained. But that's a view that I think will hurt the pro-choice cause with many Americans.
I don't, for a second, doubt the sincerity of the statement. Nor her (I assume female from the handle, "Daughter") belief that abortion ought to be legal.
Here is my view on the matter:
Abortion should be legal.
Abortion should be the woman's call. Not the state, not her partner, not anyone else. She can get all the advice she likes, talk to her parents, her spouse/lover/partners/best friend/worst enemy. She ought to see medical opinions on the possible risks to her health.
But the call is hers. First, last, and always.
Abortion ought to be available. None of the tricks of hemming it so firmly only the wealthy can manage to get it. No putting it in the hands of a doctor, or a health board or any one else (see above, the decision is hers)
Abortion should be rare. Not because of social stigma. Not because of cost, or a dearth of access to it. Not because the hurdles to getting one are too many, and too high.
It ought to be rare because it is rarely needed. Pregnancies should be wanted. That means comprehensive sex-ed. It means readily available birth control. It means all the social support needed to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
And it means when a pregnancy is unwanted, it can be terminated.
So yes, I agree, safe, legal and rare. But not rare because of any outside pressures. Rare because the choice is less often needed.
Comments at Pecunium
