Do you think abortions should be illegal in all states?

[Sir Suomi]

I think yes. I absolutely despise seeing some stupid 16-17 year old girl gets knocked up, and suddenly decides she isn't ready for a baby, and goes for the abortion. If you are willing to have sex, you are ready for a baby. Now in cases of rape, I can see why abortion would be.....aceptable. But why not raise that young child, and see what miracle that came out of a horrible action. Life starts after conception, and abortion is murder.

That's my opinion on that. What's your's?

[Sugaree]

Overturn Roe vs. Wade and allow state legislatures to decide whether or not to allow abortion.

[xXJust Jump ItXx]

Im pro choice here... But it should be legal in all states. Now with a teen getting prego and well go to extremes here... 13 year old is pregnant, sees doctor and says unless she has an abortion giving birth or a C section will kill her. Now if it was illegal, she dies, baby lives hopefully. Bad times. Secondly its a girls body and she can decide what to do with it. Being Im saying that, yes if shes married she would Im sure have to talk to her husband before having one or with her boyfriend if shes not married, etc. Unless shes single, gets pregnant, guys leaves then she is on her own. She can alone decide, but hopefully you get what Im saying. Lastly, in cases of rape, oh yes a girl should be freaking allowed an abortion!

[Jess]

I think yes. I absolutely despise seeing some stupid 16-17 year old girl gets knocked up, and suddenly decides she isn't ready for a baby, and goes for the abortion. If you are willing to have sex, you are ready for a baby. Now in cases of rape, I can see why abortion would be.....aceptable. But why not raise that young child, and see what miracle that came out of a horrible action. Life starts after conception, and abortion is murder.

That's my opinion on that. What's your's?

No, no, no. Abortion it's a woman's right. It's HER body. Why should a 16-17 year old go on with her pregnancy when she is still in school? What makes you think a girl/woman shouldn't get an abortion, just because you think it's wrong? If abortion's made illegal, and a girl really wants one, she's going to go for the unsafe way. It's better to have abortion legal, where she could get one safely.

In cases of rape, a girl should definitely be allowed one. Also if her life is in danger.

It's not murder either. It's a fetus, not a fully grown human.

[Elysium]

I'm adamantly pro-choice. I think being ready for sex and being ready for a baby are two totally separate things. A married couple could be unprepared for a child for years. Some people never even want children. Should they abstain from sex? As well, having a child from rape could just potentially make the situation worse for the mother and consequently the child. That's cruel to put a family through. It may not always be the case, but it's possible.

Also, exactly what Jess said. Word for word.

Someone asked this on Facebook, and I want to pose the question to you out of curiosity since I don't actually know anyone that's pro-life: if a woman had a complication during pregnancy that risked her and/or the baby's lives should she give birth, would you still encourage going through with the pregnancy?

[FreeFall]

You don't like that 16-17 year old girls get pregnant and don't want the baby?
Then don't be a 16-17 year old girl that's pregnant.

Here's my questions, why is a rape fetus less valuable than an unplanned/unwanted fetus? They both have potential. It's possible in both cases the mother doesn't want it. It's possible in either case that the fetus isn't loved. Clearly there's more emotional and mental damage, but why's it ok to justify termination of a rape pregnancy when there's no difference in the fetus?

Also being ready for sex is NOT the same as being ready for a baby.
With sex you're being incredibly intimate, vulnerable or just having fun.
When it comes to babies, you're taking on another human life. You're taking on extreme obligations in many aspects. You're taking on a new role, being a parent, caretaker, provider and guardian. How's any of that the same as being ready for sex?
Also birth control fails. Clearly a statement that they weren't ready/don't want a child but were mature enough and responsible enough, they just got unlucky.

In the end though, the legality doesn't matter. Women have been aborting pregnancies since the dawn of time. Belly flops, wooden sticks, standing over fire, etc. We just have the means to much safer and healthier way of aborting. Making it illegal will only result in a boom of the return of those methods and women hurting and endangering themselves. I'll always have control over my body, no matter what the law or men say about it. The only way you could stop me was to strap me and watch me 24/7, but it doesn't sound too humane to force me to give birth.

[Iris]

If you are willing to have sex, you are ready for a baby.

bullshit. That is such an archaic attitude, as if sex is for babies. Sex is fun, it feels great and it makes you feel closer to another human being. It's not about popping out kids. I see no reason why people should be deprived of making the most out of the joys of life simply because there's a possibility that they'll get pregnant.

Now in cases of rape, I can see why abortion would be.....aceptable.

Why would that be acceptable? If your stance is that a fetus is a person, and thus has the right to live, why would the way in which that fetus is conceived make the slightest difference? That logic is fundamentally flawed.

If your stance is the child would be hated or uncared for due to the way it's conceived in the case of rape or incest, why would forcing a 15 year old to give birth be any different? no adolescent has the ability or resources to care for another person adequately. What about financials? What about the possible complications and damages to the girl's body (especially a younger teen, who's reproductive systems are not fully developed)? What about the possible psychological trauma and future conflict if she's forced by those around her to carry the fetus to term and then give it up for adoption?

And what about a woman's right over her body? How would you feel if religiously influenced politicians decided to put a ban on masturbating? It sounds ridiculous doesn't it? How is that any different? Sperm is filled with life-not persons-but life. How would you feel if you were legally disallowed to masturbate?

And let's go farther-what if this ban on abortions became a reality. We'd just go back a few decades to when it was. To when women stuck hangers into their wombs to get unwanted fetuses out of them. When abortion was outlawed it was still done. It was simply humiliating, psychologically traumatizing, and often fatal-or at very least, physically damaging. So you'd risk the lives of fully formed, functional, conscious and reasoning people, to "save" a lump of cells that is no more conscious than your pinky finger. Abortion isn't going anywhere-the question is if society is going to put shame, misery and pain on women seeking abortions, or if they'll be allowed to find a safe, nurturing environment where they are allowed to make their own decisions without a group of old men poking their way into women's uteruses.

[Stryker125]

I personally could never go through with one, and would opt for adoption instead, but who am I to decide whether or not a girl is allowed to have an abortion (unless I'm the father, then I deserve some say on the matter)? I think it'd probably be best for the states to decide on that issue.

[Lost in the Echo]

I agree with you completely. In cases of rape or incest of any shit like that, then I guess abortion would be "OK" . Overall though, I agree with everything you said.

[Kitty Purry]

No, I don't think it is ever okay for someone to try and control someone else's life. You don't know what they are going through. I also believe that we shouldn't be able to tell other people what to do with their bodies. However I don't think people should get abortions regularly.

[ArsenicCatNip]

I'm pro-choice, and for abortion, but I believe both parents should have a say on the matter, unless there are circumstances like the mother has no idea who the father is.

[Skyhawk]

I don't believe in restricting a woman's freedom to choose.

Pro-choice.

[redtukr]

it should be legal but only if they have within the first month of the preg otherwise no

[Mortal Coil]

No, no, no. Abortion it's a woman's right. It's HER body. Why should a 16-17 year old go on with her pregnancy when she is still in school? What makes you think a girl/woman shouldn't get an abortion, just because you think it's wrong? If abortion's made illegal, and a girl really wants one, she's going to go for the unsafe way. It's better to have abortion legal, where she could get one safely.

In cases of rape, a girl should definitely be allowed one. Also if her life is in danger.

It's not murder either. It's a fetus, not a fully grown human.
Thank you. This. If you don't like abortions, then don't have one. But please stop trying to control another human being's body autonomy. I'm just really sick of seeing males acting like they own women's bodies.

it should be legal but only if they have within the first month of the preg otherwise no

It's biologically impossible to abort a fetus younger than about 6 weeks.

[Iris]

It's biologically impossible to abort a fetus younger than about 6 weeks.

Well, there's medication for that. It's a lot less invasive, easier and safer, especially as the cells aren't a fetus yet.

[Sugaree]

So no one is really in favor of just repealing Roe vs. Wade in this? Think about it: this problem wouldn't exist had the Supreme Court not gotten involved. If anything, Roe vs. Wade had made it HARDER for states to properly legislate abortion. To get a weed to stop growing, you cut it off by its roots; you don't trim it down.

[PinkFloyd]

I belive that if your ready to have sex then you're ready for a baby. On that note; yes I do think it should be Illegal in all states.

But think of it this way: a 12 year old girl gets pregnant and child birth would most likely kill her then abortions are acceptable.

If I got my girlfriend pregnant and since she is physically ready to give birth then I wouldn't want the fetus to die simply because we don't want it. I realize that this is a touchy subject... but what about putting the baby up for adoption? That's always an option for teens. (Again, I didn't mean to offend anyone with that)

[Sugaree]

I belive that if your ready to have sex then you're ready for a baby.

But that makes no sense at all. You may be mentally and physically ready to have sex, but that does not automatically equate to being mentally and physically ready to have a child. This is what you pro-lifers don't get: being ready (physically and mentally) to have sex =/= being ready (physically and mentally) to have a child.

[Professional Russian]

We were just talking about this at work...of course it was about money as well but abortion should only be allowe for the following reasons:
1. Incest
2.Rape

if your just fucking around with somebody and get pregnat put it p for adoption not kill it.

[The Chameleon]

I think yes. I absolutely despise seeing some stupid 16-17 year old girl gets knocked up, and suddenly decides she isn't ready for a baby, and goes for the abortion. If you are willing to have sex, you are ready for a baby. Now in cases of rape, I can see why abortion would be.....aceptable. But why not raise that young child, and see what miracle that came out of a horrible action. Life starts after conception, and abortion is murder.

That's my opinion on that. What's your's?
Ok so that's just pathetic, why should you decide weather or not a woman has to give birth or not. In general I don't like abortion but is it my choice, no. In cases of rape or insest it's the woman's choice to decide. If a child is born a child of rape he or she could be hated by the parent because they remind him of the rapist. So to some it up it's not anyone's choice but the woman's.

[Sephtyan]

Someone has asked me before what the value of a life is. I told them this, from the fleshy grey innards of my mind:
A life should be measured in several aspects. First off, to those who state that life has potential; while I agree that life does have potential, as much as Martin Luther King Jr. had potential as a fetus, One must admit that Adolf had potential as a fetus as well. On this note, I consider the "Potential for life" argument rather moot.

The two major ways that I would measure a life are in love and in experience.

A person's life can be measured by how much and how many people love him/her, as well as how much they love anyone/thing. Were that life to be terminated, this would cause unjust emotional hurt to others. If the mother (the only one really capable of loving the life at the fetal stage) doesn't wish to have the child, and the fetus does not yet have any sort of capacity to feel love towards anything yet, then I feel that that value is pretty much moot.

A life can also be measured in experiences. As quoted in the moderately popular Fable II, "A person is worth all of their memories, and all other's memories of him." (-Mother Theresa) If the mother doesn't have nay fond memories of the fetus, especially rape victims, and the fetus doesn't have any capability to form experiences or memories, then that value is pretty much moot.

I know that I'm being a bit harsh, but the universe, viewed on a grand scale, makes me realize that one lost child makes a very small difference. On top of that, when the value of that life is still negligent, or perhaps even negative due to the pain and stress associated with conception and worries about the future, then the balance will either remain neutral or be tipped into the positive.

As a last final parting... whatever, I'd like to say this: A mother's love for her child is in itself a miracle of life. A mother's love for her child is the strongest emotional force that mankind has been blessed with (no pun intended, sorry men). A woman has the natural right to choose whether or not to keep an unborn fetus, all the way up until the point where it would be dangerous to remove. After that point, it's her choice whether to keep the born child.

Pro-choice.

[Sir Suomi]

Wow...... Well, ok let me clarify things: What I meant by " If you are ready to have sex, you should be ready to have a baby" is that if you are going to engage in sexual activity, you should be willing to face the possibillity of an unexpected pregnancy. I'm not saying that we should necesarilly take women's rights away, but think about it? What has the innocent fetus, that IS a human being, just not born yet, done to deseve not even a chance at life? Also, I did say that in cases like rape, it could be an option. I forgot to mention 12 or 13 year old pregancys. But why would they even be having sex at that age, unless it's a case of rape?

Now, I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I respect women's decision that it's their bodies, but I just think that it's unfair for the fetus. Now can you disagree with that?

[Sugaree]

Now, I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I respect women's decision that it's their bodies, but I just think that it's unfair for the fetus. Now can you disagree with that?

Sure, it's unfair to take the possibility of a human life. But, really, what matters more to you? A human life that has already been established or the POSSIBILITY of a human life that may or may not make it?

[Gigablue]

Wow...... Well, ok let me clarify things: What I meant by " If you are ready to have sex, you should be ready to have a baby" is that if you are going to engage in sexual activity, you should be willing to face the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy.

I disagree with this. It basically turns the baby into a punishment for sex. I think that having sex before you're ready is a bad decision, but forcing someone to have a baby and raise it or put it up for adoption is a disproportionate punishment.

I'm not saying that we should necessarily take women's rights away, but think about it? What has the innocent fetus, that IS a human being, just not born yet, done to deserve not even a chance at life?

A fetus has human DNA, but it isn't a human being. It don't think, feel pain or emotion, and wouldn't be able to live without the mother. The mother, on the other hand, thinks, feels and is fully self sufficient. The fetus lives off her body.

You can't assign the same rights to the mother and the fetus. You have to either say that the rights of the mother outweigh the rights of the fetus, or vice versa. The mother has undeniable rights, while those of the fetus are questionable.

Also, I did say that in cases like rape, it could be an option. I forgot to mention 12 or 13 year old pregnancies. But why would they even be having sex at that age, unless it's a case of rape?

Are children born by rape or of young mothers somehow less valuable than other babies? If your case against abortion rests on the rights of the fetus, it doesn't make sense to allow it in these cases.

[Sir Suomi]

I am stating that the in the case of an extremely young mother, it would be... aceptable, due to the fact that it may kill the mother, and the baby might not even have a high chance of survival. And with rape, well, I hate to say it, but it is acceptable for an abortion, knowing the fact that the mother was forced into pregnancy, with no choice on it, and when I mean choice, I mean that she was willing to have sex, and like I said earlier, take the chance of pregnancy.

With the unborn fetus, I see how scientificly, you can explain that. But ethnically, I think it's still a human being. Life starts after conception. Would you have prefered your mother to have an abortion, thus not allowing you to live your life? It's her choice, but for the majority of women who DO end up getting abortions, there are mental aspects that occur afterwards like guilt, and shame. I just think abortion isn't right, unless under certain circumstances.

[Sugaree]

Would you have prefered your mother to have an abortion, thus not allowing you to live your life?

My mother DID consider abortion after being told there was a major possibility I would be born with Downs Syndrome and she didn't want to put her child through a life like that. She had also suffered several miscarriages before me, and I know for a fact that she was willing to do what she could to have a child. I would not prefer my mother to have an abortion, I would prefer her to choose according to her wishes and not anyone else's. But hey, I'm here, I consider myself lucky.

Even with what you've mentioned, life does not really begin at conception. There are millions of conceptions made in a year, and only a small percentage of those actually evolve beyond that. Many conceptions happen and then just fall apart, for lack of a better phrase. If anything, conception is the possibility of a life form, not a full living being. Until it is born, the fetus is just like a parasite because it depends on the woman's body via the umbilical cord. Sure, calling it a parasite seems cold-hearted, but it's true.

[Sir Suomi]

My mother DID consider abortion after being told there was a major possibility I would be born with Downs Syndrome and she didn't want to put her child through a life like that. She had also suffered several miscarriages before me, and I know for a fact that she was willing to do what she could to have a child. I would not prefer my mother to have an abortion, I would prefer her to choose according to her wishes and not anyone else's. But hey, I'm here, I consider myself lucky.

Even with what you've mentioned, life does not really begin at conception. There are millions of conceptions made in a year, and only a small percentage of those actually evolve beyond that. Many conceptions happen and then just fall apart, for lack of a better phrase. If anything, conception is the possibility of a life form, not a full living being. Until it is born, the fetus is just like a parasite because it depends on the woman's body via the umbilical cord. Sure, calling it a parasite seems cold-hearted, but it's true.

Hmm. Well, I can respect your point of view. I guess the whole abortion topic is just sorta personal, with how you were raised, religion, and just how you are ethnically. As I was raised in Nebraska and Christian, my opinion is probably just based on how people act here. But I do like to see other people's opinions, at least when they talk about them like you. Also, since reading all the comments, I've realized that abortion will never be illegal in ALL states, just the more conservative ones.

[Gigablue]

I am stating that the in the case of an extremely young mother, it would be... acceptable, due to the fact that it may kill the mother, and the baby might not even have a high chance of survival. And with rape, well, I hate to say it, but it is acceptable for an abortion, knowing the fact that the mother was forced into pregnancy, with no choice on it, and when I mean choice, I mean that she was willing to have sex, and like I said earlier, take the chance of pregnancy.

There are cases when the mother's life can be endangered even when she isn't young. Do you think abortion is acceptable in those cases?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that you think that be having sex, a woman forfeits some of her rights. I think that someone rights are constant and can't be revoked.

With the unborn fetus, I see how scientifically, you can explain that. But ethically, I think it's still a human being. Life starts after conception. Would you have preferred your mother to have an abortion, thus not allowing you to live your life? It's her choice, but for the majority of women who DO end up getting abortions, there are mental aspects that occur afterwards like guilt, and shame. I just think abortion isn't right, unless under certain circumstances.

Define human being. I think that it requires that someone can think and feel. Fetuses can't do that until after or shortly before birth, therefore I don't think they are human designs until then, most abortions occur long before significant fetal brain development, so I don't think they are killing human beings.

If my mother had aborted me, I would exist, and therefore I couldn't care about it. The nonexistent don't care about their non-existence.

Hmm. Well, I can respect your point of view. I guess the whole abortion topic is just sorta personal, with how you were raised, religion, and just how you are ethnically. As I was raised in Nebraska and Christian, my opinion is probably just based on how people act here. But I do like to see other people's opinions, at least when they talk about them like you. Also, since reading all the comments, I've realized that abortion will never be illegal in ALL states, just the more conservative ones.

I agree that this is the source for people's opinion on abortion, but I don't think it is a reason to believe something. Simply because a belief is common in an area doesn't make it true. I think that beliefs should always be questioned and nothing should be believed unless it can be justified. That's just my opinion, and I don't really see how the pro-life position can be justified.

[Jess]

IWould you have prefered your mother to have an abortion, thus not allowing you to live your life?

I wouldn't care, because I wouldn't exist.

[FreeFall]

If my mom had pulled abortion on me, how could I even care? I wouldn't exist.
If my mom told me she wanted to abort me, that's still no skin off of my back. Something made her change her mind, but I'd rather she see me as her child and not a burden that was forced onto her because abortion was not an option.

I cannot stand when people pull the "adoption card" in these debates. Abortion is termination of potential life. Adoption is giving up a life that will forever be connected to you. Adoption is not for everyone. Some women handle termination of their pregnancy, much better than watching their baby be taken away for a new family. You do not simply toss your baby to a nurse and wipe your hands and say, okey dokey the kid's out! Woohoo!
Both have extreme emotional and mental strains if the women aren't prepared and 100% for their choice, it doesn't matter if the fetus lives or die, it's and equal flip of the coin.

Funny on the ethical side. It's wrong for a woman to terminate a fetus she doesn't want, but it's perfectly acceptable to force her to give birth/go through a c-section to a life she never wanted?

[Sir Suomi]

Well then. It looks like I'm pretty much outnumbered on this subject. I'm gonna be smart and just back down... But it was nice having this little discussion. Maybe in the future we could discuss this again. But I'm getting tired of trying to defend my opinion.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

I don't think abortion is right, but I don't have a vagina so I don't have much of a say. If I got a girl pregnant though I wouldn't suggest she get an abortion, but if she decided to get one I would support her in that decision.

A common reason people think that abortion should be illegal is their religion. If it is against your religion to get an abortion, don't get one, it's that simple. No one is going to force you to get an abortion, so why are you trying to force YOUR beliefs on others by not allowing them to get an abortion?

Some people consider abortion murder. Murder is knowingly taking the life of a living thing, specifically a human. Is a fetus living though? It is not independent of itself. It is not capable of doing the things developed humans are capable of doing. You could argue that it will eventually be capable of these things, but that is as irrelevant as the fact that monkeys might one day be as intelligent as humans. You could also argue that this unborn fetus might one day be a great mind that makes a great discovery. There are equal odds that this fetus could one day develop something terrible and destructive.

Someone who is set on getting an abortion is going to get the job done, one way or the other. Would you rather allow the women to get an abortion in a clean clinic with professional physicians, or in a dark alley in the back of a van? Sure, a lot of people won't go this far, but what about the ones that do? Are they below us that they should be forced to receive horrible medical treatment like this?

Some people like to compromise and say "rape or incest, go ahead and get an abortion." Mexico is an example of why this does not work. I have no idea if this is still the way their system works, but it used to be that a women could only get an abortion if she could PROVE she was raped. First of all, how horrible is that? To have to relive the experience over and over again as you plead to get an abortion. This almost seems like it would make women not want to come forward about getting raped. Should we deny a woman a rape kit if she can't prove she was raped? Not to mention how difficult it could be to find the rapist in an under-developed country like Mexico.

http://theweek.com/article/index/221431/the-10-year-old-mexican-who-gave-birth

[Mortal Coil]

Well, there's medication for that. It's a lot less invasive, easier and safer, especially as the cells aren't a fetus yet.

Yes, that's true, but we're talking about abortion here :)

[Mob Boss]

I agree it's a woman's right. And I agree it should be available in all 50 states, and no one should tell a woman what to do with her body blah blah blahh. Yeah, I understand that and completely agree with that. What I don't agree with is women being careless and irresponsible as to not go through the proper process for using protection. It shouldn't be used as an emergency contraceptive every time you have sex and just didn't feel like taking your birth control or making your partner wear a condom. I understand people make mistakes, or are in a rough spot, or are on their own and really can't give the proper care to a child, but it irritates me when people act like abortion is equivalent to the morning after pill every time they make a whoopsie.

[FreeFall]

I agree it's a woman's right. And I agree it should be available in all 50 states, and no one should tell a woman what to do with her body blah blah blahh. Yeah, I understand that and completely agree with that. What I don't agree with is women being careless and irresponsible as to not go through the proper process for using protection. It shouldn't be used as an emergency contraceptive every time you have sex and just didn't feel like taking your birth control or making your partner wear a condom. I understand people make mistakes, or are in a rough spot, or are on their own and really can't give the proper care to a child, but it irritates me when people act like abortion is equivalent to the morning after pill every time they make a whoopsie.
I agree with that. I'm pretty certain Plan B is much cheaper and quicker than going through insurance cards, planning, per-abortion counseling, setting an appointment and paying for what's not covered.
But don't let a few stupid, immature and irresponsible women be the reason to take away what safety net few women have.

[Mob Boss]

I agree with that. I'm pretty certain Plan B is much cheaper and quicker than going through insurance cards, planning, per-abortion counseling, setting an appointment and paying for what's not covered.
But don't let a few stupid, immature and irresponsible women be the reason to take away what safety net few women have.

I agree, that's why I said it should be legal. I just hate knowing that some would abuse that law.

[Iris]

Yes, that's true, but we're talking about abortion here :)

It's still considered abortion. It's even called the abortion pill; it causes a miscarriage. check it out. (http://www.womenhealthzone.com/womens-reproductive-health/does-abortion-pill-successfully-terminate-pregnancy-know-the-facts-of-abortion-pill/)

[Eliza Snark]

People are going to undergo abortion whether it's legal or not. I think the most 'pro-life' thing one can do is to support giving people safe options on how to get through difficult periods in life and push for comprehensive sex education early on to avoid unwanted pregnancies in the first place. You can believe whatever you like about the morality of abortion and the personhood of the unborn fetus, but at the end of the day, criminalizing abortion only creates a black market for it, and then it's not just the life of the infant that can be endangered, but the mother as well.