In light of this, should the abortion laws be changed or left as they are?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20070612/thl-uk-britain-abortion-b2e59e8.html

dave S: you have a point, but we have to accept that for some people the 2 are inseperable. Church or no church involvement, this remains a serious & controversial issue for both chruch goers & non-believers/athiests...

Goblina: I have heard that too about Russia, I think their problem is the lack of access to contraception in the first place.

I agree with those who said abortion should not be treated like a contraceptive in the first place, to go through this procedure so many times must surely cause a considerable amount of trauma, and not just emotionally????

Claire B & those who have had an abortion: I'm not slating you, in fact I sympathise as I imagine it must be a horrible predicament to be in.

Answer 1

I agree with most of what Roxy answered, I do not agree that abortion should be used as a form of contraception and the view that the Catholic church has on it should be looked at,I'm Catholic and nearly 20 yrs ago at 27 wks it was discovered my baby(much wanted) had no brain and I was sent to another hospital with better equipment and it also turned out there was spina bifida, I was offered an abortion and was torn with what to do, if it was just the spina bifida it would have been OK as my baby would have been loved and the age of my other 2 children would have came on very well only my baby would have no brain and wouldn't even know she existed, still torn with what to do I went to see the priest, big mistake I still think of what was said to me. At the time all this was going on the Alton bill was on the news every day about getting the time of abortion reduced from 28 wks. I went to see my consultant and had a good talk he understood as he was Catholic also, well God must have looked down on me and helped me because the decision was taked out of my hands my baby died inside me. I delivered my baby a little girl who would have been called Lisa and would have been 19 on 28th Jan. There are certain times when this can happen in fact in that year less that 20 abortions were carried out over 24 wks, I still don't agree with using abortion as a form of contraception and would not ever wish anyone to have a choice that I had been faced with, what happened with me is rare only it does happen and the one who has to make a desision I wouldn't condemn anyone in a case like that with their choice.

Answer 2

I do think the cut of should be lowered to closer to 12 weeks. This is pleanty time to make a decision.

I also think if a woman is taking every step possible to prevent pregnancy through contraception and it fails they should not be criticised for seeking an abortion in the early stages. No contraception, even when used properly, is 100% effective.

There is no doubt about it, it is an agonising decision to make and woman need to feel able to discuss their options. Many woman might feel pushed into an abortion by their partners.

No change in the law will take away the guilt making the wrong decision will leave behind. Many woman seek abortions fully aware of their options and the implications, others just see it as another form of contraception and that would wear you down mentally after a while wouldn't it?

The only law surrounding abortion that needs amending is the cut of time.

And the Catholic church need to get a grasp on reality and stop poking their noses into peoples lifes.

Answer 3

There are females who simply CANNOT be refused an abortion. Particularly the ones who are raped or forced to have sex. Would you make them have the baby then??
I have worked in a hospital for 22 years and I have met many young girls who for whatever reason became pregnant in the wrong circumstances and were offered an abortion.
Some have been as young as 12, forced to have sex by their fathers or brothers and it has had a DEVASTATING effect on their lives that they will NEVER forget.
Abortion isn't about lying on your back, getting pregnant and then ending it, just like that. It involves heart-breaking desicions and much emotional trauma and heart searching before the patient gets anywhere near the operating table.
It's not all plain sailing afterwards either. There is the guilt and the shame to live with for a lifetime afterwards.
No the abortion laws should NOT be changed.

Answer 4

What if someone just come and rip off your head and skin? Do you think is wrong or right? Abortion is wrong because you're killing an innocent life. Asked your mom, why she isn't abort you. She should has abort you but she probably want you to come and see how beautiful this world is. If you don't want to hear that like "you are killing an innocent life" then don't bother posting this question up. Most people on here want their baby unlike you.

Answer 5

I'm with jojo78 in relation to the 12 weeks, apart from in EXTREME circumstances. Like you say the abortion laws are 40 years old 20 weeks you have a fully formed baby. I have friends that had a baby at 22 weeks and she survived and is a normal and healthy little six year old. The laws need to be brought up to date. Before I get slammed for being pro abortion, I'm pro choice. Surely its better that a child is not brought in tho this world if it is not going to be loved and cared for. I'm sure women that most women that have abortions dont do it lightly. I have never had an abortion nor do I think i could but that is MY choice.

Answer 6

first off I think that any religion should keep it's nose out of laws, they should declare their stance on the issue and leave it at that!
There are many reasons both for and against, but at the end of the day it can only be a personal choice, I'm sure there have been situations when someone wholey against abortion had one as a "last choice".

I think that support should be offered, both before and after with councilling or something, making the choice itself is difficult and sometimes could use a 3rd party who does not have any "investment" in the child, and obviously afterwards there can be emotional repercussions.

In order to remain realistic I think the Law regarding abortion has to change as societies structure changes.

Answer 7

Killing children can never be acceptable in a humane society, except where the life of the mother is at risk. Feminists preach, that it is the women's choice. What choice does the child have? Moreover, nature does not provide a choice, only immoral people within the medical profession make it possible. Feminists also accept it, because it helps women be independent of men and helps them indulge in sex on the same terms as men. I am not prepared to pull punches on this subject, because the stakes for the unborn and the moral health of the nation are too high.

Answer 8

i dont think that some people should use abortion as their form of contraception.
but surely was better to have 186,419 abortions in 2005 than 186,419 unwanted babies?
people should be make aware of the side-effects about abortion
i dont think that it should be made illegal because it is wrong for some people that dont believe in abortion to be able to dictate to everybody that they cant have an abortion.
maybe the law should be changed but if somebody didnt want to have a baby they should go through medical counselling to check.
also does the government have enough money to be able to hire all these extra counsellors etc?
xxx

Answer 9

Lowered. without doubt. I have actually seen an abortion - it aint pretty. Perhaps if people knew that at 7 weeks the baby (i don't hide behind words like embryo or foetus) has a fully formed nervous system that responds to pain, maybe there would be less killing of babies.
It is an emotive subject, but so are babies. And their mothers. Perhaps looking at contraception, the availibility of alcohol (c'mon, drunken one night stands happen - result: pregnancy), education, morality (old-fashioned, that one, but a major contributary factor), and the support given to those mothers who decide to 'get on with it'. The family has been dumbed down, and children are regarded as a fashion accessory, to be brought into the world perfectly formed with a rocket scientist's IQ, and only when the mother decrees. Instead of loving them as the lovely surprise addition to our lives that many of them should be.

Answer 10

If they changed it women might start getting the knitting needles out again. Women do need to understand that being in a sexual relationship puts you at a high risk of creating a baby, and they need to to take responsibility. Having said that I made a mistake and regret the decision, and thank goodness society allowed me to deal with it humanley. Contraception of you don't want to get caught.
p.s I read recently abour a russian girl that was perfectly ok with her 35 abortions, just contraception to her. I was shocked, but for their culture it is so normal