Should children be exposed to graphic images of abortion?

Question

A "Right to Life" organization in our community, in my opinion, has gone too far. This evening as people were getting off work and going to dinner, they lined themselves up along the sides of the road in our "restaurant" district and in front of grocery stores, holding human-sized pictures of bloody, dismembered infants. People coming in and out of each establishment (with their children) were forced to look at these horribly grotesque images. We're in a small town, and this road was THE main road through town... and you can't get from one end of town to the other without driving it. People couldn't avoid it.

As a parent, I feel this is taking "freedom of expression" too far. How would you even explain these graphic images to your child?

What do you think? Is this taking it too far? And as a parent, what would you do?

Answer 1

That would bother me, tremedously. I dont want my children to see any graphic images and they didn't give you the choice as to if your child viewed the image or not. At least on TV, you can change the chanell. I would write your complaint to the local paper or TV station. Everyone has the right to display their beliefs and to protest, but not at the cost of someones child.

Answer 2

I don't think a child should ever see those kinds of images. I, at 35 years old, can't look at them. They make me sick to my stomach as would any picture of a person who was dismembered like that. People showing these pictures on public streets is going WAY TOO FAR. You want to express your opinion, fine. You want to come up and offer to give me information about the wrong doing of abortion, fine. You want to hold up a sign that says "Right to Life", fine. All these are harmless ways to get your point across and I can simply walk away with out an issue. But graphic pictures? I don't care what point you're trying to make, THAT'S DISGUSTING! I don't need my kids or myself to be seeing dismembered body parts for any reason what so ever.
First off, my 3 kids are young (9-3) and don't know about abortion, so to them, they would be seeing a bunch of people holding up signs of dismembered body parts. That I know would make my younger two sons scared and keep them up with nightmares at night. My oldest would probably ask a bunch of questions and honestly, I don't if I would tell him what they were really pictures of. He’s 9. That's not a topic I want to discuss with my 9 year old. I also don't think that scaring my kid with graphic pictures is the way to teach him about decision making and responsibility.
The Right to Life organization most likely wouldn't get in trouble for doing this...our country does have some issues to work out with "freedom of expression" as you can see. I would though have a talk with whoever was in charge with the organization. I'm sure they would have some issues if someone stuck a picture of a guy shot a bunch of times and bleeding in their kid's face. I have a big mouth when it comes to my kids and am not afraid to voice my opinion.

Answer 3

No. the photographs are the certainty. Freedom of speech includes the certainty, does it not? that is not extra picture than what's incredibly *executed* in an abortion sanatorium. * what's plenty extra inhumane than actually showing what happens in an abortion sanatorium is the somewhat technique by utilising which stay human beings are literally ripped from life in a horrifically brutal way. somebody who thinks abortion imagery is "picture" would desire to think of somewhat of what abortion incredibly is and merely how inhumane it incredibly is. the photographs are reality. And if it bothers your eyes, you are able to look away, are you able to not? A fetus can not do something to safeguard itself against its own violent and painful dying (homicide is a extra suitable be conscious). Abortion is violent and is plenty extra picture than something you will ever see on a poster. A fetus is a living being that truly feels soreness. And in case you're up for a debate over no rely if the fetus actually feels soreness or not, scientific learn have shown that even in non-abortion incidents, alongside with the place a needle has been inserted into the fetus for the time of a scientific technique, the toddler jumps in accordance with the soreness. additionally, on the grounds that usual anesthesia isn't used in abortion approaches, the fetus by utilising maximum scientific learn and money owed, feels soreness for the time of the technique as limbs would be pulled off and scissors are used to puncture the backside of its cranium.

Answer 4

First of all, there's no such thing as 'freedom of expression'. We have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, etc., etc., and the right to gather in groups, but the right to express ourselves as we please is not in the US constitution--if it was, we couldn't get upset at the neighbor next door mowing his lawn naked.

I think it was definitely taking it too far; what was the purpose of their protest if not to make people lose their appetites? Why arrange themselves in the restaurant district? As a parent, this horrifies me; my son is not old enough (he's 4) to understand. On top of that, those people did not have the right to step on my parental right to monitor what my child sees--heck, if we can program our tv to only play Playhouse Disney, I think we should have a say in what well-meaning fanatics decide to impose on our childrens' retinas out in public.

I would write a very strongly worded letter to the opinion section of my local newspaper, first of all, detailing what happened and the effect it had on my children. Secondly, I would contact the local churches (many 'right to life' organizations are affiliated with churches) to find a more equitable solution than displaying gory and inappropriate images at times when children will definitely be present. Barring that, I would call the police about a public disturbance.

Answer 5

No way, adults yes but children???? I personally think abortion wrong. But if they did what you say that also is wrong. I may think what I will but I wouldn't participate in something like that. I also have a child and would be ticked off if anyone did what they did in front of her. I agree they acted very wrong. I wonder if when they do that sort of stuff they condone it by thinking what goes on in abortion clinics that is not seen. Like I said I'm against abortion. So from that point of view they may believe that what they did is nothing in comparison to killing innocent unborn children. Looking at it from that stand it doesn't seem shocking to show pictures. As far as explaning it my child will be an adult soon. At her age I wouldn't need to. She also is against, and has been taught that an unborn baby. Is as much a person as us who are already here.

Answer 6

I would never willingly expose my children to such pictures, but seeing as my children will see things every once in awhile that maybe I deem inappropriate, it can and should be used as a "teachable moment." As in, teaching them about your beliefs and why you believe them, not only about abortion but about freedom of expression and why you feel that these certain people are going about it in the wrong way. It is an opportunity to teach your child about your values and why you consider them important, and opens up discussion about what they find acceptable behavior in themselves and in others and why they feel that way. The discussion can be steered away from the images they saw and onto more productive issues.

Answer 7

Ewwww HELL NO.....What the heck is wrong with those people. How horrifing to someone who couldn't possibly comprehend that. Dang, call the cops, even though those people may think they have a right to protest, they are taking away others rights. Your right as a parent to protect your children from graffic violence, which even the TV's nowadays let you do, with parental controls, and a strict rating system. The right's of the business owners in the area, who's right to earn a living was taken away, because people ran in terror from that hideous sight. The right's of everone who lost their lunch, so to speak, to be able to walk down the street without being assulted. MOST OF ALL THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE, EVEN GOD GAVE US FREE WILL.

Answer 8

No, children should not be exposed to these images, and anyone who stands in a public place and displays them should be arrested for disturbing the peace at least. A minor under 17 can't get into an R rated movie without an adult for a reason. They shouldn't have to see these graphic images shoved in their face.

Answer 9

I wouldn't agree with putting those pictures up for young children to see. I think they should be more careful. I have seen them line up at high schools and that is ok in my opinion. I think kids these days see alot more and are exposed to alot more graphic stuff on TV, internet and movies (sex, drugs, violence, death, etc) than years ago. I agree not all parents are negligent at keeping a close eye on what their children are watching, but If by chance my kids were to see this, I would definitely tell them exactly what it is. An aborted child, murder and that it is wrong.

Answer 10

I think they have gone way to far, it's one thing to have freedom to expression but to abuse this and doing so at the risk of seriously affecting our children is both wrong and in my opinion criminal. I would tell them that what they are doing is traumatizing young children and file a complaint with the City or County officials and raise a stink about this. They are going way above and beyond the call of duty to express or force their views on others including young impressionable children and that becomes borderline criminal because it's traumatizing young children. I encourage you to call County, City and State officials.