“This is what we used. Never again.” These were the words spoken by Whoopi Goldberg on April 25, 2004, during the March for Women's Lives in Washington DC. Whoopi was holding up a coat hanger. Hangers like this one had been used frequently by women before the court decision Roe V. Wade had been made and allowed women to have safe and legal abortions.1
Abortions will always be here; that is what time has told us. If women are willing to use coat hangers or go to someone who might not even be a doctor to get rid of a fetus, then abortions will happen whether or not they are permitted by law. Further, having said that, they should be permitted because a woman should have control over her body. During the time of before the Roe V. Wade decision thousands upon thousands of women were dying because they couldn't get a safe procedure and would have to resort to drastic measures, which left many butchered to death by those performing the illegal abortion or at least those who said they would. 2
It is still true now because in other countries that don't have legalized abortions have women dieing at the same rate they did here. The thing is, some people don't care and would rather have a fetus live as opposed to a person. People say it was their fault for having sex, and if they didn't want a baby they should have thought of the consequence. But what about those who did want the baby, but cannot have it for medical reasons? Some people find out they have cancer or some other disease that will be fatal to them unless they receive treatment. The thing is you are not permitted to have the treatment if you are pregnant. In that case both the mother and the fetus would die, but if an abortion is available you can save one. Some people also get raped and didn't ask for the baby, nor do they want to be carrying the child of the monster who raped them. They shouldn't have to! Then there are the people who had sex willingly, but are not in a place in their life when they could afford to have a baby, nor can they stop working for months to have the child, even if they do have the option of putting it up for adoption. 3
Many people's argument for not giving women the choice is that it goes against the Bible, the thing is there is a separation of church and state for a reason, so people can form their own ideas, ones that might interfere with that of the Bible's. Many people say that we can outlaw abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or medical. The thing is, what is to stop them from later getting rid of those exceptions later? 4
In an ideal world no one would need an abortion. No one would be raped. No one would have birth control that didn't work. We would have adequate information about birth control in our schools. No one would have to choose between their life and that of their possible child's. Unfortunately, we don't live in such a world, therefore abortions are necessary, and even if you don't agree personally with them you should consider that others should be able to choose if they need it or not. After all, if you can't even trust women with a choice, how can you trust us with a child?5
Author notes
This is an issue that I feel very strongly about and something that I believe more people should be informed about because when I discuss political issues with some of my friends some have asked what abortion was and what the stances were. Even though I'm 13 I know more about this issue than some adults I have met, i wish people could see more sides of the argument than just their own, especially since alot of people who live in my area are rather affluent and can't imagine someone not being able to support a baby off of their income.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Wonderful, you bring up many valid points and make your opinion known without resorting to name calling or blustering. I couldn't agree more. Even if it is a case of a woman not taking the proper precautions, there are a lot of women that just should not have kids. Do people really want some crack-head to give birth to a poor little crack baby who's going to have problems all his life (however long that may be)? Anyway, great write
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'Birth control is readily available so why are so many not using it even if they are not sexly active?'Alot of that is from ignorance, but some people make mistakes sometimes, and while I don't support them having an abortion for that reason, I am not going to condemn them either
Oh and I said SOME not all adults, and I have met some very ignorant adults, the kind who think that people are actually pro abortion
'I also believe that abortion should be safe but if a woman who for no reason other than it is by demand she should pay for it out of her monies and not tax me for it.' This is true, but how would they go about dividing up the abortion clinics, I doubt they are going to go through the trouble of setting up private ones for those who are doing it for simply the reason that they are not ready to be a parent yet, and then having the public ones only for those in rape or medical situations, how would they even check that?
'I agree that it should be a woman's choice and I am one that prefers to choose life.' Most people agree, including me, it isn't like anyone is "pro- abortion", as the opposition would say, it is just that they feel that the decision should reside with the mother and not the state.
I basically agree with you, I am not a fan of abortions, but I still strongly support the right of a woman to choose, even if it is not something I would do, thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my poem.
~Laila~
Edited on May 05, 1:22 p.m. because 'I forgot something'. -
Powerful
Okay no comment on typographical errors I am not into that unless it is grossly abundant. Now you say you are thirteen and know more than most adults. Hmm well I do not think so because of one thing the thing about cancer and treatment of pregnant women who have cancer. I am a cancer survivor and know more about cancer than I care too and know there are effective treatments and measure left to the mother to make. Birth control is readily available so why are so many not using it even if they are not sexly active? I agree that it should be a woman's choice and I am one that prefers to choose life. However there are those cases that abortion is required because if by some medical abnormality it should become apparent that the fetus would not be viable an therapuetic abortion should take place. This happens and some times it is the only thing that will save a women's fertility. Yet each person should be informed of all the options before making a decision and not pressured by any group as to what choice that is. Be it NoPlannedParenthood or the religious sect. I also believe that abortion should be safe but if a woman who for no reason other than it is by demand she should pay for it out of her monies and not tax me for it. Too many people use it as a means of birth control and I have been around a long time enough to know that man has always been in control of women since the beginning of time. But the essay is amazingly written well but does show your youth. Look up available treatments for women with cancer who successfully carry the baby to term and still have treatment. Cancer treatments is better these days and frankly it is something that every young women should know about themselves. I do not believe that abortion will ever be over turned but ask yourself this. Norma McCovey the woman upon whom abortion was based on now says that she feels it was wrong. At least in the respect that on demand abortions are done. I am not saying those for medical reasons or others. No one should be forced to do something against their will but then when has that stopped a predator from raping someone because you can never truly legislate morality. However I take strong exception too as a Christian to those that condemn a woman for an abortion or go and throw blood on them at the clinics. I think that we can say there are those that chose life but think on it can dead tissue produce life? Can we legitimately say that it is not human when only the human sperm and the human egg form the human child? That is basic science and are we to be like Nazi Germany and destroy something that we feel is inferior to us or because we are inconvienanced? I do believe that you will be a responsible person because of how you have written this article. -
i think i got them. thanx
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Grammar:
"here, that" semi colon rather than comma (first sentence, second paragraph)
"fetus, than that means abortions" Take out "that means" And "than" should be "then"(second sentence, second paragraph)
"However, having said that," Use "Further" instead. (third sentence, second paragraph)
"During the time of Roe V. Wade, before the decision was made," Use "During the time before the Roe v. Wade decision" (fourth sentence, second paragraph)
"dieing because they couldn't procure a safe procedure and would have to resort" "Dieing" should be "dying." "Procure" should be "get." And instead of "would.." have "procedure, having to resort.." (fourth sentence, second paragraph)
"abortion, or" No comma (fourth sentence, second paragraph)
Ok, no more time for the present, but there's what I caught in the first two paragraphs,
Two Feet Under -
Just thought I'd drop a note telling you that I agree with your essay, 100%. Good luck in the contest.
Peace
doug
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thanx, i am really bad at finding my own typoes and grammatical errors.
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thank you for your comment, and i am glad you have gotten so much out of my essay.
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Recently we had a class discussion about abortions and I was so undecided! I really liked how you brought the many views out in the open for people to look at. The first part creeped me out because I never thought that happened but I agree, abortion will always be here whether its illegal or legal so have it legal and allow the mother to stay safe. Yet again, the mother oculd just as easily put it up for adoption...which leads to the lack of orphanges and such. I could go on for days about this issue...If you ever wanna talk about it IM me! I really like talking about serious issues such as abortion. Great job on the essay!
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Darling, that is what partial birth abortions are. They are, by nature, inhumane. Look at the name: partial birth. The baby is partly born before being "aborted." These are the kinds of abortions done most often, I think, in the third trimester and sometimes the second. The abortion may be because of risk to the mother, but, although I care greatly for the mother, I will not stand for abortions that are done inhumanely, at the pain of the child. The child can, at that point, feel pain. How are we to know it doesn't feel the pain of death? It is, after all, partway born. If it, somehow, came out before the doctor could finish the abortion, it'd simply be a premature birth. Premature babies are praised for surviving, yet at the same time, other babies are dying through partial birth abortions. What makes one a miracle and the other simply a medical procedure? Yes, I agree with your last sentence; and that is why the Republicans, some of them at least, wanted to ban partial birth abortions. Because it is murder because the baby is being born to be aborted. Now, some may have been doing it as a step to go further, but the simple nature of partial birth abortions make it so they should be banned.
I haven't the time to write now to check, but if I see any later, I shall tell you.
Two Feet Under -
Ok I have gone over this like five times to get out typos and grammatical errors, if you see one please point it out. (editing is by far not my strong suit, neither are mechanics)
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You have a valid point, I also think that they are inhumane, although i have never heard of them being born and being stabbed in the neck with scissors. What I was referring to was when a baby is aborted in the second or third trimester. Those, I believe, are made most often for medical reasons, because you would have to be pretty screwed up to be 6 months pregant and decide to suddenly abot the child. The ones you are referring to have, in my opinion nothing to do with choice, because once a baby is born it is murder, regardless of breath intake.
Edited on Mar 06, 5:23 p.m. because ''. -
There are typos, and I hope you find and change them all, for I'd hate to see them bring down your essay. Changing something to make it better does not inherently mean destroying it. Death or destruction is not an intrinsic part of change.
As to partial birth abortions, I believe they should be banned because of what happens during them. The baby is literally partially born before it dies, before the doctor "aborts" it by stabbing it in the back of the neck with scissors. There actually is a chance the baby breathes before it dies, which means, by legal definition, that the abortion is murder -if the baby takes a breath before dying.
Change isn't inherently bad -repetition I know. Also, when pro-choice people will not bend, then they will either stand (what they want) or break -here being the ban of all abortion- which they don't want. It is not erosion to ban partial birth abortions. It is humane.
Two Feet Under. -
Those were more typos than not, if you noticed I mentioned the Bible twice and it was capitalized once ( I'm way to used to autocorrect), but thank you for making me aware of the discrepancies in my essay. As far as your beliefs you are entitled to them, and the way they do it in Germany sounds great, but I think that once you make some change it can lead to the complete erosion of the right to choose. That is the same reason the Democratic Party stood behind what was deemed by Republican opposition as "Partial Birth" abortions.
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The ideas and placement of them in this essay are good. However, there are some grammar errors. It isn't much, but, as someone somewhat obsessed with grammar, it can pull an essay down. I understand that you are young and probably do not know as much about grammar, but sometimes it is simple capitalization (such as of "I" and "Bible" -remember, the Bible is a book, so it is capitalized, even if you do not like what the text within it actually says).
As to the ideas, I happen to disagree with you, on most instances. For the most part, I am pro-life with some exceptions, one being rape. Mainly, I believe the laws surrounding abortion are too loose, so that there could be no risk at all yet an abortion allowed. The system in Germany is, I believe, much better, with consultants to neutral doctors and, if religious, to religious leaders of whichever religion you belong or a psychologist to make sure that the abortion is the right choice. After an arbitrary number of visits, if the mother wishes the abortion, she may get one.
At any rate, for someone your age, this is a good essy.
Two Feet Under. -
thank you
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looks like this is going to win gold, this is a VERY well thought out essay, and your point was presented with dignity and grace, despite the sensitive nature of the topic. great job, you've got me convinced
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I really like the last line of that. It really drives the point of the rest of the essay home. I think another thing that could be added to the argument near the end is education for kids about birth control from parents. I have a daughter who is in the full swing of puberty at a young age. (She is turning 10 this month). So, we sat down and we talked about everything... from how her body is changing to STDs. I showed her videos... pictures... the whole nine-yards. That kid is probably more informed than most of the people who teach sex-ed at her school. As a parent, I think it's my responsibility to teach her these things, and the school's responsibility to back me up. I'm greatful that there are classes in school, for the kids whose parents won't talk to them about these things. But if parents were more open from the beginning, I think kids would be better educated. Thanks for posting this.
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