How to answer a child's abortion question?

Question

I was just wondering why many anti-abortion activists want to outlaw abortion except in the case of the mother's health or if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest.


I understand the whole health of the mother thing, but why would it be OK to abort (what anti-abortion activists call) babies who were the product of rape or incest? isn't that still "murder"?? Is the life of a child worth less if they were created by rape or incest? How can I tell my children that abortion is wrong because all life is precious but the lives of children created through rape and incest are not worth saving? How do I justify that to my children? It seems like not only a double standard, but hateful.

I am not passing any judgment either pro or anti abortion, I just want to know what the anti-abortion people tell their children when this question arises.



Thanks so much for all thoughtful answers.


I put this up in another category as well to get the most opinions.

The reason I ask this is because I have taught my children (teen-age boys) that abortion is wrong, but one of them asked ME this question and I was at a loss for an answer.

Thanks again!


***Oh, I hope no one thinks this is supposed to be a debate about pro and anti choice.


And I didn't say I wanted to outlaw abortion, did i....just that I am personally against it.


Please stay on point.

I said that I don't want to outlaw abortion. I think it is wrong personally, but it isn't my place to tell anyone else what to do.


AS I SAID....since I don't like it, I can teach my kids that I don't. When they are grown, they can come to their own conclusions and they are smart enough to seek various opinions outside of their Mom and Dad. Thank goodness...because I certainly know, I am certainly not perfect and I am intelligent enough to admit I am not I can be wrong.

*****I didn't ask ANYONES opinion on abortion and I just wanted to know how to answer this question. I just didn't want a debate. *rolls eyes* **********

I am not planning on trying to change anyones opinion....can't people just say how they would answer this question if THEIR child asked instead of giving me all the reasons abortion is either right or wrong????

If you can't answer without a "speech" please don't.

****The reason I put this in R & S is because abortion, in general, is an issue that is decided by ones faith. (For the most part...not always)

Answer 1

I think you should tell them what you think (if it's okay for certain people to have or not) and let them come to their own decisions. If they think they would prefer no one to have or everyone to have, that's their opinion.

Answer 2

WHY oh WHY is this question in R&S? Isn't there a bioethics forum somewhere?
A child of rape or incest is just as much a child as any other. It is NOT OK to kill any viable child. It is sad that pro life leaders have to make allowances to appease the popular opinion. It is a hard sell to "make" or convince someone to carry a baby full term when the circumstances involve rape or incest. The emotional toll of the event alone is unpredictable much less how it make effect everything else. Therefore, it is advised to carry and give up for adoption, but this cannot be forced. The necessity of the mothers life is a no brainer. You cannot force someone to choose anothers life over their own.
You are not pro life in ay sense. You are an abortionist through and through, how transparent can you be?

Answer 3

Well the argument is that in those cases the women has the choice because it affects her in a harmful way.

You and your son are right- it isn't consistent. There are a lot of factors- the quality of the women's life, the value of the fetus (as an adopted child for a sterile couple possibly) and they are all contriversial.

It's just that in these two situations people would not be able to ignore that it would be cruel to the mother to continue the pregnancy, whereas with a more common abortion the thing to instead consider is if the quality of the womens life is worth more than the fetus's life to society and the women than the fetus' life to itself and society. In this case, the fetus if it is younger than 5 months cannot value it's own life because it has no thoughts.

So since the fetus cannot care many people agree that before the fetus has thought and thus values it's life (before thought it can value it's own life more than a plant values it's life) the mother's quality of life is what is more universally important since she is the only person in the situation affected.

Only once you understand all these factors can you see that it is just a Utilitarian breakingpoint.

Answer 4

Tell your son that some people believe that exceptions should be made in the cases of rape and incest, because, in those cases, the 'mothers' are already victims. Pregnancy, as you well know, is a nearly year-long ordeal that takes a toll on your body (And for a while, your mind!) even when it's a loving and joyous event. (And giving birth is no picnic, either!) I can't imagine how awful it might be to deal with reliving that pain every day, growing inside you. Some women are capable of handing that, and going on with their lives. But some are not, and it would only add more cruelty to force them.

And there are those who believe any abortion, for any reason, is wrong.

It's reasonable to throw in your own beliefs, but your son will ultimately make up his mind for himself. This is a good chance to explain that everyone's circumstances vary so greatly, it's best not to judge. We cannot dictate what's best for others, only decide what's best for ourselves.

Answer 5

abortion due to rape or incest i think would have to do with the mother possiable never loving the child. there are some people that would see the child as a mistake and not want it. unwanted children may be abused or misstreated in differant ways.

this is not to say all people will act that way. many women will still care for the child and others will put it up for adoption.

i will add that i am prochoice to an extent. when the mothers life is threatend it should be done and thats assume the child has less of a chance to live. there are some on my side who think a simple migrain is enough for an abotion and thats just stupid. i would also like all thoes under 18 to have their parents aware of the abortion.

Answer 6

Its politics, not ethics or religion, that leads people to this kind of statement. Generally, they do this to give the impression of compromise. Its easier for them to concede publicly when the mother may not have had a choice in becoming pregnant (if she was raped) -- otherwise they will argue she shouldn't have been having sex, that her choice was then. In the case of incest, they are also little more willing because of the taboo against incest, the concern that the baby may be "defective," and other concerns people may have.

I'm sure most anti-choice politicians and leaders still think its wrong (that its murder), but its easier for them to concede in these circumstance -- or at least its harder to make some of their argument about responsibility and easier for fence-sitters to sympathize with the mothers.

Answer 7

Your son is right to ask.
We as humans, however, can only do our best with what we have. The closest I can say is that this is the price of knowledge. If you think about the animal kingdom, the animals don't go around deliberately aborting their offspring, however, spontaneous abortions do occur in animals at times. (Usually due to ergot--a fungus that grows on rye grain), or a male lion will kill the newborn cubs of another lion in order to force the lioness into heat. (I don't know if that's REALLY the reason, but that's what they say.) That is only in rare instances. Humans are unique in that we make a great morality out of this since we have the ability to do this to ourselves. Nor is this issue a new one. The Romans used to practice leaving unwanted newborns in the town garbage dump. The woman, however, had no say in whether she could keep her baby or not. In France, in the 1800's prostitutes got rid of unwanted babies by tossing them into the nearby river. (Remember there was no birth-control available)

So what are we here for?

When we fall...to catch one another. IMO

Answer 8

The problem here is that we have a conflict of terminology. The blanket statement that "all life is precious" is probably too wide of a statement to consider. For example, how many ants, bees, insects, spiders, etc. have you ever killed, knowingly or not. This also includes plants, fungi, bacteria (antibiotics are anti-life), and even basic eukaryotes.

But I digress.
Abortion may or may not be a good thing, but you clearly don't want to discuss that. If you state that all life should be precious, you must back it up with actions and other beliefs. However, in the case of the anti-abortion supporter, it is okay to be somewhat lenient. Change must happen gradually and good things will come to those who wait. One small step for anti-abortionists is one giant leap for mankind. It must be explained to your teenager that the goal is set, but the change must be gradual for all to accept it.

Answer 9

Abortion is always wrong.

I just don't think that life or death of anyone should be in the hands of mankind.

I guess this is kind of a physicians cross to bear, their profession created this thing (not abortion, but LEGAL abortion), yet isn't itfunny that the Hippocratic oath is "first, do no harm."?

(Though I try not to judge people, I do believe it's a wrong choice, either way it's just a sad issue.)

Answer 10

Perhaps the anti-abortion activists that you speak of don't think clearly. If abortion is wrong, it is wrong. In the case of the Mothers health, the answer would depend on what constituted a threat to her health.

Answer 11

You raise an awesome point. Personally, I do not think that rape or incest is a reason for abortion. And before everyone gets on my case, I know from experience. I was raped and had a child I gave up for adoption at 19. We have since met, and she is simply beautiful and such a blessing.

I believe that God sifts all things through his loving hands. God will make good, glory, come from even the worst of things, in His time. My life is proof of that in many ways.

Life of the mother, I can go with. For the most part. But otherwise, all life is precious.

God bless.