Post # 1
Member
5268 posts
Bee Keeper
So, anyone who was following the previous threads on abortion knows that I am pro-life for various reasons. And when I say I am pro-life, I mean, I am 100% convinced that life begins at conception. With that being said, I am going to go against the grain and admit to something that most pro-life people in my social circles disagree with: I don’t think the clinics should be closed. There are a couple of reasons why:
1) If the there was an announcement tomorrow that the clnics were closing, there would be a multitude of people that would immediately see $$$$$$$$$$$$. This would open up a black market of unsafe procedures, and people exploiting women in the worst possible way for their own gain.
2) I think it would actually increase the number of abortions that happen. Women would be less likely to talk about their unplanned pregnancies due to fear of repercussions if they do abort. That means they would be less likely to get counseled on what their alternatives are.
I would like to see the clinics close because we no longer have a use for them.
I think that some of the pro-choice bees on the other threads have a point: We say we think these children should be brought into the world, how are we going to help them and the women who have them? I think saying you are pro-life gives you the added responsibility of having an answer to this question.
So here it is: What would you like to see happen as a society/community/with in our goverment to support women and children and decrease the likelyhood of an abortion?
This question is aimed at US Bees, but I’d love to hear from women in other countries who may have some programs we don’t, and how its affected your communities.
I’ll start: I would love to see a national child care system. As a single Mom, finding affordable childcare was a nightmare for me. I think a national childcare system would offer families a better opportunity to work and/or get an education, as well as offering a safe environment for the child while they do so.
Post # 3
Member
10509 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
If clinics close, where do we go for all kinds of health-related stuff?
Post # 4
Member
2231 posts
Buzzing bee
I think the most important thing you can do to reduce the number of abortions is to PREVENT pregnancies in the first place. I am as pro-choice as they come, but of course no one WANTS to go get an abortion.
Our focus should be on preventing pregnancies by educating EVERYONE (men and women alike) on the realities of sex and birth control. Personally, I think abstinence-only education should be outlawed. I’m not saying abstinence shouldn’t be taught IN ADDITION to comprehensive sex ed, but it should never, ever replace sex ed that that teaches young people what birth control is available, how/where to get it and how to effectively use it.
In addition to sex ed, we need more information and less costly access to birth control. Girls and women shouldn’t feel uncomfortable asking their moms or doctors about the pill or about IUDs. Men shouldn’t feel uncomfortable buying condoms. And ALL of these things should be available for free whenever possible.
Post # 5
Member
1091 posts
Bumble bee
@annb9: All of this!
Not to mention the women that go to those clinics for other women’s health related issues.
Post # 6
Member
9692 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
@Bridey77: I’m pro-choice because I think it provides an option. Pro-life is all encompassing and thinks every woman should have every baby. Pro-choice doesn’t say every woman should abort every baby but that women deserve a choice over what happens to their own bodies. If cells aren’t viable outside my body, I don’t understand how it is a baby per say. Late term abortions make me a bit uncomfortable but I believe in choice so to each their own.
I can still answer the question though. I assume you mean abortion clinics, not all clinics like a PP suggested. I think a system similar to Quebec where child care is $7/day would help all parents. Also, give out condoms like they are going out of style.
Post # 7
Member
291 posts
Helper bee
@annb9: +1
I’m about as pro- choice as they come.
While there are some abortions that are necessary for health reasons and due to other circumstances such as rape- I think there ARE many abortions because women cannot afford to take care of their child.
In such cases- I think that they believe they are doing the best theycan for their child.
If there were things such as better governmental support etc. these women, who may really love their child and not want to get an abortion but feel that they HAVE to, may have other options out there for them.
Post # 8
Member
1471 posts
Bumble bee
@annb9: I agree wth this 100%. Prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place.
Then stop with the punitative bull**** for actually having babies that a lot of “pro-life” politicians/ people I have known put in place (not all, but a lot – for example, consider the fact that a number of the states that refused the medicaid expansion are the same ones that push “pro-life”).
Don’t cut foodstamps/WIC, make sure all people have access to reasonable food (elimenate food deserts), ensure all women and babies have sufficient access to medical care, ensure there are daycares and preschools that are affordable/ free that are also high quality.
Stop looking down self righteous noses and stigmatising single parents. Find a way to raise wages so mothers aren’t trying to raise their children on >20k/ year.
I tend to stand by Bill Clinton’s statement that abortion should be safe, legal and rare. And I abhor the extremely common attitude of being “pro-life but only until it is actually out of the womb and then of course it deserves to be punished for having the audacity to be poor”.
Post # 9
Member
5268 posts
Bee Keeper
@annb9: I think you make a great point about men being educated as well. We talk so much about women educating themselves, men have just as big a responsiblity. I have heard people say so many times “I’m so glad I had a boy. I don’t have to worry about him bringing home any babies”. So its okay that your son goes out and impregnantes the whole world? He has no responsibility? That attitude INFURIATES me, and I have called people out on it many times.
I also agree with your point about abstinence only education. I don’t think it should be outlawed, but I can’t see what good it does to under educate our children about their own reproductive health. I’m a Christian, commonly what people refer to as a “born againer”. I really encourage abstinence with my own daughter, but I’m not naive enough to believe that there is no chance she will have premarital sex. I made sure she knows about all her options, and encouraged her to come to me with her concerns. Its just not realistic to think everyone is going to wait until marriage, regardless of whether or not we think they should.
+ infinity to free birth control.
Post # 10
Member
10509 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@MrsPanda99: I’m not assuming this means all clinics.
I have never heard of a clinic that just does abortions though. I’m pretty sure they are done at the closest hospital. I’m pretty sure they are done at the university hospital. There are done in clinics that offer other services. Closing any clinic that performs abortions would be limiting other health services as well.
Post # 11
Member
45654 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@AB Bride: We shouldn’t assume anything. Just because there are no stand alone abortion clinics where you live doesn’t mean that’s not the situation elsewhere. We have them in BC and I know they have them in the US.
@Bridey77: If the clinics are forced to close beacause legal abortions are no longer allowed, we will be back to the situation we were in before. Poor women will risk septicemia and death to have a backroom abortion, and the rich will travel to where abortions are still legal.
Post # 13
Member
10509 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@julies1949: I had asked about them and it sounds like there aren’t many if they do exist. So what clinics is the OP talking about? Any clinic that performs abortions or clinics that only perform abortions?
Post # 14
Member
45654 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@AB Bride: I suggest you ask the OP rather than asking me to assume what she is talking about.
Post # 15
Member
5268 posts
Bee Keeper
@AB Bride: I’m referring specifically to abortion clinics, or the part of a clinic that performs them.
Post # 16
Member
10509 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@julies1949: Sorry, I meant for there to be a new paragraph.
