Pro-Lifers, if abortion were to be made illegal...?

Question

What would you be willing to do to help with the rise of unwanted children being born? I don't mean this to be offensive, I seriously want to know what you think should be done, and what you would personally do. Contribute more money to social programs? And if so, what kind? Volunteer at group homes? Become a foster parent?

Wiggins: I'm not assuming that everyone who gives up a child does so for financial reasons. There are many reasons people might choose to give a child up for adoption. The fact remains that those children still need to be cared for.

Answer 1

First, I am pro-life, but don't consider making abortion illegal to be practical or desirable. I believe abortions would continue, but would become less safe, would be very profitable to those providing them and would drive the problem underground.

I think the entire notion of unwanted children is sad, especially since there are many families who want children and can't have them for various reasons.

I would favor making adoption much easier than it is now. I personally know one family that has resorted to open adoption and adopted another child from Russia. They have the means to undertake the legal burdens of doing this, but many loving potential adoptive parents don't have those means--but could support a child.

I would personally assist in whatever way I could. I am of an age where adoption is likely not practical, but would consider it (I became a father the last time at age 45) and I am not wealthy.

I would consider volunteering at group homes or becoming a foster parent.

Incidentally, my family has hosted 7 foreign exchange students in the past five years.

Answer 2

On one hand I am a pro-lifer:

I feel that abortion should not be used as a form of birth control. Who are any of us to say if the "child" should have a chance to live.

On the other:

Everyone makes mistakes and who am I to say what one should do? Again abortion should not be birth control.

And what kind of life does a child who is neglected, abused or starving really have.

If there was a way to be on both sides of this issue I think alot of people would stand on the line!

Instead of these "PRO LIFE" groups spending money on demonstrations and wasting time on harassing people walking into the clinic and instead donated the money and time into finding homes or caring for unwanted children maybe more people would consider having the baby and giving it a chance at a life.

How humane is terminating the pregnancy as apposed to making a child suffer with a terrible life?

Answer 3

I'm pro-choice, but if I had wanted a child I would have adopted a child, not a baby. I grew up in an abusive home, so I didn't want to take the chance that I could be a parent like the ones I had, but I also don't see how people can be so selfish, especially those that are anti-choice and anti-contraception, that they can deny a home to children who so need their love and protection.

I'm also disgusted and frankly amazed that right wing anti-choicers actually think that restricting birth control will decrease sexual activity! Pharmacists can legally refuse to dispense contraceptives and Plan B (a super contraceptive, not an "abortion pill") They fail to see that restricting birth control will only lead to unwanted pregnancies and then force a choice between abortion or having an unwanted child. Personally, having been abused, I don't want another child to be an unwanted child.

I don't see how restricting or banning abortion creates good parents. Even when children are wanted, they can be abused, so how does forcing people to be parents make them a good parent? When trying to punish parents for being sexually active, why is it that the ones being punished are usually the children? Is this compassionate conservatism?

Answer 4

Firstly, it is very easy to get the morning after pill. I think women should be more educated on how to take precautions. Personally, I will always be here for my children to come to. I will offer them educational materials.

I also think that there are thousands of childless couples who would love to adopt these children, especially infants. I'd like to see scholarships available to families who want to adopt. I would love to adopt, but the cost is just too much.

Answer 5

I think the answer is what are they doing now to assist those in the adoption system. Those mothers who are pregnant, don't want their children and may lack the financial, social, familial and/or physical support to help her through her pregnancy.

I highly doubt any of them are currently donating or pushing for various social services that work with children to receive more funding, adopting, fostering children, helping pregnant women, volunteering, etc. now, what difference will abortion becoming illegal make?

Answer 6

All the money in the world being donated to social programs won't stop some women from seeking and obtaining abortions, whether they are illegal or not. So, call me a "radical" if you want to, but I think what I would want to do (if I had the means) is help set up or run a safe underground abortion clinic where these women can come to have a safe abortion in a sterile, technologically advanced environment, performed by doctors who are willing to risk their careers in order to help women who would otherwise find another (more risky way) to have an abortion done. I would also have resources and education (counseling services) made available on adoption, birth control, and about the abortion procedure itself, so that women who seek this service can be helped to make an informed decision, in an atmosphere that is non-judgmental and supportive, before they undergo the procedure.

It seems like the right thing to do. Women used to die when abortions were illegal due to unsafe, risky procedures performed by people who were not even doctors. I'd hate to think that in this day and age, women could ever be faced with that again. So if it does happen, I would not be opposed to breaking the law to help save women's lives.

Sorry, I know your question was for "pro-lifers" and I'm definitely "pro-choice." The above reasons are why I'm "pro-choice." In all honesty, I think that even if I was "pro-life" I'd still feel the same way.

Answer 7

Not being a pro-lifer, I cannot address this directly, but I do know of one very pro-life couple who adopted two children, one of whom was delivered in a mental institution, the other of whom was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. (I knew about the former's circumstances because he was a friend, not because the parents put their good deeds on display.)

Alas, I strongly suspect that this is very much the exception for pro-life people, but I will not call this couple hypocrites, as I would many others.

TROLL SHARK

Are you ok? That remark was both perceptive and on-point and not insulting either!

Answer 8

I would take any child that someone decided to bless me with instead of killing. I have always offered this to any woman I have heard of considering abortion. Sadly, none have taken me up on this. Children are a blessing. If the parents don't want that blessing, I'd be happy to have him/her!!

Answer 9

You're assuming that just because something is illegal that people won't do it anymore. Come on. I bet most of us can name at least 5 pot heads off of the tops of our heads. Making abortion illegal will not prevent abortions from happening. All it will do is create a significant rise in back alley abortions performed by unqualified individuals which could result in serious illness or the death of a woman and ultimately the fetus the fundamentalist Christians tried to save.

Answer 10

First I would ask the government for a 1000 acre park as a memorial for all the murdered children.

Then we should gradualy decline abortion with a short to medium term plan, as in only abortion for first trimester babies. Then over time abolish abortion, only allowing for special circumstances.

Then as others have said, there will be people wanting these babies. I for one would take on 10.