Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?

2/25/2020

In recent times, the controversial subject of abortion has been high in the news. Abortion, is the "ending of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus before it can survive outside the uterus" (PPH). The debate has mostly been split into two groups, pro-life and pro-choice. Each of these opinions have their own moral, religious, and personal reasons behind their stance on the subject. The most common argument for the pro-life is, that abortion is murder of a human life, that is defenseless, and shouldn't be legal and allowed with no punishments. If people are mature, and capable of having sex, they should be aware of the possibilities that come with sexual intercourse. Pro-choice, on the other hand, argues that it is the right of the woman and her body, and that should never be taken away. Both sides have more points, and ideas to their opinions as well. There has recently been states passing different laws, in some cases causing complete chaos and anger from both sides.

There is a lot that goes into this sensitive subject, but as young adults, we should be able to share our own opinions on controversial subjects in a mature manner. With that being said, what do you think the government should regulate and control for the women's body? Should the laws on abortion be federal or state laws? Will banning all abortions be dangerous to women? Are you personally pro-life, or pro-choice? Why is this topic so controversial and sensitive? What else could communities or the government do to help prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place?

39 Comments

Ezra

3/1/2020 10:39:02 am

I think that the government should have any say in what women are allowed to do. For one reason they are not in the same position as the person effected, and will probably never be. If they had to set up laws I think that it should be statewide laws just because there are so many different view points. I think that banning all abortion through out the country would be dangerous to women. If they are serious enough they will likely go to some other country and have the procedure done in a less safe environment. I am personally neither because there are different circumstances for everyone. Like if a person is raped then they should have the choice to terminate the baby, or if a women is on birth control and for some reason it doesn't work then they should be able to terminate because they were trying to be safe. I think that it is controversial because people make it seem like it is a huge deal, but in all actuality it is not that hard to look from another persons point of view and then ask the same questions. Governments could explain sexual education better because I know that in Salmon we didn't get that.

Andy Gebhardt

3/1/2020 01:36:49 pm

I agree that there should be better sex education. It is more or less a taboo topic but the dangers of it outweigh the reasons for not talking about it in school. There were brief moments in health class where it was mentioned but it was not a very good course and did not analyze all the outcomes. How do you think this could get better?

Alyssa Farnworth

3/1/2020 05:49:27 pm

I agree with the sex education there are some schools that do offer sex education but it is not nearly as educational as it should be what types of things do you believe should be included in the education and when do you think it should start? What is the parent’s responsibility in sex education?

Kately Cockrell

3/1/2020 06:53:11 pm

I agree on sex education, back then, teenage pregnancy was more common. As a matter of fact, the red shed was a sort of daycare for teen moms. What sort of regulations do you think should be in place?

Josephine

3/1/2020 07:28:17 pm

I agree with this completely. There are so many variables that go into this matter. Ultimately it is up to the woman. Sexual education should be explained better. By being better informed on this subject it will keep children safer in the long run, preventing accidental pregnancies or STDs.

Madicyn

3/1/2020 07:37:37 pm

We should all have a better sexual education in schools, I agree with that. Although it’s an uncomfortable conversation to have, it can be very useful. We have the puberty talk at a young age, we should have the sex talk as well in schools. Some parents don’t address it, so teens are left to the internet, media, and the talk.

Brax Kauffman

3/1/2020 08:23:58 pm

I think that better sexual education could lead to less pregnancies which would in turn lead to less of a need for abortions.

Aiden

3/1/2020 08:54:37 pm

I disagree about the sexual education. When teens have sex, they know what they are doing. They know how it works and the purpose of sexual intercourse. It is no surprise that the natural way of procreation that is used in all species of animals makes babies. They need to be more self controlled and think more about the repercussions.

Faith

3/1/2020 10:45:06 am

I believe there should be laws restricting and limiting certain aspects of abortion, but not make it illegal or impossible. Many people don’t agree with this idea, and believe that abortion is a terrible act. I have had people tell me before that any form of birth control is abortion, which I have to disagree with. However, I think no matter who the women is or her situation, she should be able to have an abortion as long as the women is at or before 7 weeks into the pregnancy. An article from oneofus.edu states that “‘The neural circuitry responsible for the most primitive response to pain, the spinal reflex, is in place by 8 weeks of development,’ she explained. ‘This is the earliest point at which the fetus experiences pain in any capacity.’” Another source from thejournal.ei says “ Pain is an emotional and psychological experience that requires conscious recognition of a noxious stimulus. Consequently, the capacity for conscious perception of pain can arise only after thalamocortical pathways begin to function, which may occur in the third trimester around 29 to 30 weeks’ gestational age, based on the limited data available”. One of society’s biggest concerns is the embryo feeling pain in the process of abortion, but even then there are ways to end the pregnancy without hurting the embryo such as the abortion pill.
Overall, I believe it is a woman’s choice what she should and shouldn’t do with her body. The circumstances and situations causing someone to want an abortion are all endless and unique and should not be interfered with by the law.

Andy Gebhardt

3/1/2020 01:41:08 pm

I did not know the fact about feeling pain and it does make abortion seem a little bit less harmful. However, it is still impacting the mother and potential future of a child that is already in the process of growing. Why do you think the idea of pain is so important of a factor for many people talking about abortion?

Alyssa Farnworth

3/1/2020 05:44:46 pm

I agree that there should be some limitations and restrictions when it comes to abortion. You said you don’t agree with it after seven weeks, how do you feel about late term abortion if the mother or child is at risk of death either way?

Paige

3/1/2020 06:39:21 pm

Does ensuring the embryo does not feel pain really make a difference? It is still ending human life. Abortion provides a way to eliminate an individual's right to live.

Sabrina

3/1/2020 08:22:54 pm

I agree with this point, if I killed a human while they were sleeping so they felt no pain, would it be justified?

Ezra

3/1/2020 06:42:39 pm

I agree that overall women have the right to choose what they want, and the government should not be able to make laws to prevent it.

Andy Gebhardt

3/1/2020 01:34:31 pm

Abortion is a hard topic because of the varying viewpoints and how much people can get angered over it. A simple discussion can easily turn heated because of a disagreeing view. I believe that abortion should not be allowed for several reasons however.
The first is what is done to the embryo. Abortion is basically the act of getting a baby out of a woman’s body before it is ready to be born. This can mean killing it before it is out of the body or after it is out. Either way it is a terrible process and there are not very many restrictions on how it can be done.
The second is because of the programs for pregnant women. There are many adoption centers that allow for a young parent to give up their child instead of having to go to an abortion clinic and “kill” the unborn baby. While having an adoption does mean going through the entire pregnancy process, the impacts of having a baby will be less severe if the parent can find a good adoption couple to take her baby.
Many issues around my point of view involve when women have been raped, were on defective birth control, or simply did not know about the consequences of sex. Even on these terms though, it is still a human life that is being taken into account no matter how it came about. In this area the arguments for pro-life are not as strong but to me it still seems a better option then killing an unborn baby.

Faith

3/1/2020 05:50:38 pm

Those are some good points. Do you think men she have any say in the legalities of abortion?

Ezra

3/1/2020 06:40:07 pm

I did not even think of adoption as an other option. It is a very good point.

Paige

3/1/2020 06:41:56 pm

You make a lot of strong points and I agree that it is better to put a child up for adoption rather than aborting a baby.

Kately Cockrell

3/1/2020 06:54:39 pm

Adoption is a very good alternative, but the foster system is painfully flawed. What changes can be made?

Alyssa Farnworth

3/1/2020 05:20:13 pm

I don’t consider myself pro-life or pro-choice necessarily. I believe that there are a lot of factors that go into making the decision to get an abortion, this includes the situation and the man and woman involved in the conception.
In one year it is believed that 32,000 children are conceived as a direct result of rape. Nobody knows except for those who have been raped what it does to a person and their mental health/ stability etc. Many women who are raped are not in a position to have a child or the resulting child could be a great source of trauma. I don’t feel that someone who was violated in such a horrific way should have to carry the child.
As for the other cases I will never know why someone feels that they cannot have a child but I do know it is not my place or the governments to decide that she cannot have the abortion. This is another situation where I understand that I would never personally do it but it is not my right to say another woman can’t.
Finally, I don’t feel the decision to have an abortion is one that is made lightly. They know it is something they will have to deal with for the rest of their life. It’s something that they will likely feel guilty for for the rest of their life so I don’t think they need any extra help from anyone else in that department.
As for the other argument there are adoption centers and plenty of reasons the baby could be kept alive and then given up for adoption or anything else. As I stated I just don’t feel it’s my right to make that decision.

Faith

3/1/2020 05:53:26 pm

I feel like you made it very clear that every woman should have their choice on what they want to do but everyone has different morals.

Alyssa Farnworth

3/1/2020 05:58:25 pm

I forgot to mention I do feel there should be some restrictions I just don’t really know where to draw that line.

Erykah

3/1/2020 07:05:41 pm

Rape victims would go through a trauma if they had to bear a child because abortion was not an option for them. Do you think government officials, such as judges, should determine whether a woman is allowed to get an abortion?

Erykah Foss

3/1/2020 05:50:48 pm

The opportunity of choice is an important ability we humans can control most of the time, like whether we wear socks with sandals or sunglasses indoors. However, not everyone has the financial means to choose a high quality of shelter, food, or clothing. No one can choose their level of safety; no one chooses to get stolen from, raped, or killed. Life is unpredictable, and it is unfair to not give women the choice to abort an unwanted child.

Women who have the opportunity to make the choice think about their potential child’s future and their own. There are several things a woman considers before deciding to abort: finances, emotional effects, and personal goals. Without the income to support a child, it is difficult to provide good care to them. Women who do not want to become a single mother or who have a complicated relationship with their partner think a baby would negatively affect their emotions. Some women think of their careers. Caring for a child takes a lot of time that some women do not have. These women want to accelerate in their careers or life goals. Many of women want the best for themselves and their child. If they can not provide for them, an abortion would protect their child from an unhappy or difficult life.

All in all, there are plenty of reasons a woman would want to abort. The government should not get a say because it is a deeply personal, emotional, and difficult choice. I think it is possible to prevent the need for abortions by requiring sex education classes in high school. Knowing the risks and seeing the results of badly practiced sex can teach teens how to protect themselves from making a bad decision that will affect their future.

Tori Weir

3/1/2020 06:33:53 pm

There are so many things a woman who is pregnant unintentionally have to think of. Most of the options are not even known or considered.

Madicyn

3/1/2020 07:33:35 pm

I think your introduction was very well written, and you’re 100% correct in the idea that life is unpredictable, and everyone’s situations are very different.

Aiden

3/1/2020 09:00:40 pm

Life is completely unpredictable and in cases of rape a woman should be able to help herself as soon as possible. However I cannot sympathize with a couple that is not financially or otherwise prepared to raise a child. The couple is completely accountable for conceiving the child because they had sexual relationships and they should have known what would come afterward. They would have ample time to prepare and be ready for a child.

Paige Hilton

3/1/2020 06:19:15 pm

I am personally pro-life. If a woman has sexual relations and becomes pregnant, it is not only her life and her body she is dealing with. The whole argument of women getting to do what they want with their body is invalid. There are two living individuals involved when a woman is pregnant and it should be addressed this way.
I believe that it should be federal law determining abortion and that it should only be acceptable in certain cases; such as if the woman's life was in danger or she is pregnant because of rape.
If a woman becomes pregnant when she is not ready for a child she should of thought of that before being involved in sexual relations.
Pregnancy is not contagious so abortion should not be the major controversy it is.
The simple truth is to be more cautious and responsible with our actions and not act helpless and stupid when life does not go as planned.

Tori Weir

3/1/2020 06:26:42 pm

I liked that you mentioned that the woman who is pregnant is not only having to think about herself she but also her child she is carrying. If the woman believes that idea of carrying a child instead of a fetus it can make a difference. What are some ways to help decrease these unplanned pregnancies?

Brax Kauffman

3/1/2020 08:30:40 pm

I agree that it should be a situational thing but in the case of rape that would not be life threatening so the option of adoption would still be possible.

Tori Weir

3/1/2020 06:19:29 pm

Abortion is controversial to talk about because it brings in beliefs and morals a person has. People can get really passionate about this topic and due to that, it can get out of control fast especially on social media. As for laws about abortion, I believe abortion should be the last option to use. I do not believe in abortion but I know that if abortion was illegal, unsafe abortions will happen and that is more dangerous to the woman and child. Circumstances such as the woman not making it out of alive by the time the child is born.
There are always other options to choose before deciding to do an abortion. If they need financial support or help there are several organizations that they can go to. If the woman decides not to keep the baby they could put it up for adoption. Since this is a more personal decision to make, I think the state government should make laws about it. This way the laws can be applied to everyone in the state better. I also believe the state should be better at educating people about unsafe practices of sex.
In the end, it is the woman who is making the decision whether or not to go through with the abortion. There are always other options to choose and people who would love to help with the pregnancies.

Erykah

3/1/2020 06:58:16 pm

I totally agree that abortion should be a last resort. Although it is a tough decision that many people do not condone and accept, it is important to have it an open option so that women who want one do not have to risk their own lives doing it illegally. Do you think adoption or foster homes are better choices than abortion?

Kately Cockrell

3/1/2020 07:01:29 pm

Abortion is a delicate topic, because people are often passionate about it. But that does not mean that we cannot discuss it civilly. If something is illegal, people will find another way to obtain it. This is no exception. Young women will go to unlicensed Clinics and potentially die due to malpractice. This is why I think having choice is important. I do believe that certain regulations should be met so that people cannot be irresponsible though. Ending an unborn child life is cruel, but if their parents are not in any position to care for them properly, it may do more harm than good. That being said, adoption is a good alternative, but until the foster system can be improved, I still stand in the middle of this issue.

Josephine

3/1/2020 07:39:55 pm

I like the points you made about the risks of illegal abortion. Legalizing abortion will keep women safer by allowing them to get the procedure done properly, preventing them from getting seriously injured in the process.

Josephine

3/1/2020 07:17:34 pm

This is a difficult subject. There are so many variables that make it incredibly difficult to form a side-on. Women have the right to their own bodies I agree with that wholeheartedly however, I believe that after a certain point that abortion should not occur. The unborn child does not have a say in this. Thus other practices should be put in place such as adoption.

Brax Kauffman

3/1/2020 08:17:48 pm

I think that the government should be allowed to regulate the laws that surround abortion and I believe that they should allow it to happen to a certain extent. While I am not completely sure when the cut off should be, it should still be a legal option no matter what state you are in.
As far as my personal opinion goes, I really do not know where I stand on the topic. While there are certain facts for each side such as when a pregnant woman is murdered it is considered a double homicide or how a person is not self conscious until however many weeks into the pregnancy. I just do not know enough about the subject from a logical point of view and I will never be in an emotional position so I do not know my stance on the subject. I do believe that it should be an option for people but I do not know how my moral standpoint sits on this topic.

Sabrina

3/1/2020 08:41:51 pm

Do you think that women considering it should go to trial? To whom would it be an option?

Sabrina

3/1/2020 08:35:00 pm

I believe in consequences more than I believe in the ability to choose whether to kill or keep a baby. If someone who is not prepared to have a baby had sex and did not take the proper precautions, it is entirely natural for them to have a baby. I say, if you are not ready to have a baby, do not have sex like that. You took the risk, you need to accept the consequence.
There are some situations where the lines are blurry though. If a girl is raped and becomes pregnant while being unable to support the child, I would not be mortified if she chose to abort the baby early. I would not do this because of religious beliefs, but I can understand that choice in that situation. My overall belief is that aborting a baby is a massive amount of power that should not be available to everyone. There are very few cases in which it should be allowed, and even then there will be controversy.

Aiden

3/1/2020 08:51:24 pm

I am Pro-life. I can confidently say that I have not been predisposed in this opinion and have done my fair share of study on the topic. In most cases of abortion I believe it is an extremely bad. I understand that in case of rape that the woman did not or could not have prevented the pregnancy by any means and are stuck with the aftermath. In these cases it may be necessary to protect the health of the victim or rid the victim of unwanted pregnancy.

While there are scenarios to include abortion ethically there are also times when abortion is an outlet to rid said child from the mother who knowingly conceived it. If you are not able to support a child whether it be having both a mother and father, financially, or have the time to care for the child then they should not be having unprotected sex. Even if the contraceptive alternatives don’t work which is extremely low then the parents would still be prepared to raise the child in a loving home. Every child is entitled to loving parents and a safe upbringing into this world. Abortion completely destroys this philosophy and I do not agree with it except in cases of rape or medical reasons.

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