Shouldn't we focus on prevention, rather than abortion?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070830073347AACymSz&r=w#AKIrCUDJUVezHTBXcuJP

The above question regarding abortion elicited some answers pointing to prevention of unplanned pregnancy (i.e. education and access to birth control for all) as a solution. It is certainly the case that many problems exist that lead to pregnancy which would need to be eliminated before we could eliminate abortion (rape, abuse, lack of education, etc.) What do you think about focusing on education, access to birth control, and fighting sexual abuse rather than focusing on abortion itself to eliminate the "abortion problem"?

I happened to get a couple thumbs down and wondered why that suggestion was viewed negatively

??.

Answer 1

Some people hate control of their sex drives, and don't care who they hurt as long as their sex-drives are appeased.

Your question should have included religious motives, too. Statistics show that those who follow the Lord are blessed with a happier marriage and trust their mate when their values were upheld. Meanwhile, fornicators mistrust their mate.

Shalom and peace in Jesus, BenYeshua.

P.S.: If Mary avoided the stigmatism of her questionable pregnancy, how could we be saved? Remember, at 6 months gestation, John leaped in Elizabeths womb at the newly impregnated Mary's presence.

Answer 2

I agree with you 100%. If people were educated on means of birth control, and they were readily available, we'd have a lot less unwed mothers needing abortion. The sad truth is that many insurance programs will not cover birth control, yet they will pay for the woman's pregnancy and the child's health care thereafter. Another sad point is that birth control & condoms are readily available for teenagers at the local health department, but not so for adults. I know that my mother had me well informed as to the risks of sexual behaviors. What came from that? I am 25 years old and have never been pregnant. Yet a lot of my friends the same age as me, if they didn't have children before high school, had them shortly after. It is sad, to see people you care about so much in such a sad state. Some of my friends have had multiple abortions AND up to 4 children. If only someone would have taken the time to explain the consequences of their actions years ago, they would not be suffering the lifestyles they live today. People should take a stand, demand that health insurance we are paying for, cover all things regarding to health care, including birth control!

Answer 3

Unfortunately I don't think that prevention will remove the problems of rape, abuse, or complications. For these and perhaps a few others abortion should still be a mentally and physically safe option.

Better education both for parent, kids and any one having sex will help, as would easier access (not sure how much easier it could be...) to various forms of birth control as well as removing the social stigmas on obtaining and using it. We need to get over the thought that "If you have a rubber, you're going to have sex". The other thought that needs to go is "It's my body, I can do what I want". Both of these may be true but both contribute to worsening the problem in the first place i.e. they, espcially the second, are reactive not proactive.

Perhaps well supported unwanted pregnancy adoption programs would help.

In any case abortion should remain legal and safe, but society must change to where it is not the default option.

Answer 4

I definitely agree that we should focus on prevention. Does that mean I believe birth control should be available to all? Well, it seems a bandaid solution at best to me.

There are always going to be teen pregnancies. But, I feel if parents are proactive, know where their children are, know who their friends are, and talk to their kids, then that is a much better method of birth control than condoms.

And I certainly don't believe we should be giving girls as young as 10 or 12 birth control pills. Talk about an open invitation!

And while parents being involved in their kids' lives isn't fool-proof, what is? Just because kids have access to condoms doesn't mean they are going to use them. Education from their parents, and then from schools should be the foremost choice when teaching our children about the consequences that come with having unprotected sex.

And I think preventing sexual abuse goes without saying, I mean, it's just simply barbaric and unexcuseable.

Answer 5

Certainly eduction and access to birth control are very important tools to fight any need for abortion. I think that "fighting sexual abuse" may be a little more difficult, though. Abortions are very difficult for all involved and can cause a lot of crying, (unless a woman is pretty hard-hearted), but sometimes in some circumstances they really are for the best.

PS. You would probably get thumbs down (though wouldn't that be for the answer?) because some believe in no abortion for any reason whatsoever.

Answer 6

I get thumbs down too for my answers sometimes, you just cannot make everyone happy i guess.

as long as it was your honest answer than that is all that matters, for we are all entitled to our opinions and others do not have to like them only accept your right to believe it.

education has been tried, i was not in the other forum but there is nothing wrong with it. when i was a boy then started it. It changed nothing. Many say that teaching them to young and having condoms and such available to teens is just propagding or condoning it's use which in many Religions is where the issue really lies.

ME I am Wiccan so I do not have the same view. Education is never a bad thing. I think it is a good idea but it has been tried, i think a more radical educational approach needs to be thought of.

Of course prevention is always better than abortion. just as preventing a fight is better than winning one.

so you probably had many deeply Religious people answer who feel so strong that they forget you have a right to your opinion too!!

Answer 7

Yes, very sad. The conservatives don't want you to teach kids about having sex and the repricussions of it. But here on the buckle of the Bible belt we have 6th graders getting pregnant. We have girls and boys (I am sure) that are having sex before they know what it is. I have a friend that this actually happened to her.
Planned parenthood funding has been cut due to support of abortion. Unfortunately they campaign for education, not abortion. Unfortunately people as individuals have advocated abortion, not Planned parenthood. People should support education and knowledge about our population from a sexual standpoint.
It's shamefull to see our youth being ignored when they are learning about sex from their friends and not the parents.
No thumbs down here, I am definately teaching my eight year old the precautions of disease, risks, and responsibility that comes with the fact that we are all sexual beings.
I would like to know exactly why education should not be implemented? Is ignorance really bliss? Do you care more about the embarrassment that comes with the discussion, the cost? The risk of ignorance is abortion, plain and simple. Truth being that if you don't campaign for sex education, you are promoting abortion and ignorance.

Answer 8

Abuse will never be prevented in all cases. Birth control is NOT 100%...... I am having a third baby concieved while on the pill. While I am having my baby, it may not be another woman's choice. In many cases, it is not lack of education, but lack of better judgement. And birth control is free and available to all at health departments and free clinics across America.

Answer 9

I agree with you! I am 100% pro-choice. An unwanted pregnancy is preventable! Women should be informed and have access to birth control so that less will have to make the difficult CHOICE to have an abortion.

Answer 10

Without good parenting, education, and access to birth control, you get with teenage parents . . or abortion.

I don't understand why some people oppose sex education. Teenagers are going to have sex no matter what. It's a fact of life. People need birth control to prevent abortions.