[Boudica]

Good point, but If you're not able to take care of It, you shouldn't have given birth to It to begin with.

This Is not directed at you, but more so a general statement. A lot of mothers are well and truly aware of their responsibility to their child (with consensual Intercourse), yet once the child Is born, they're full of "excuses" as to why they can't fulfill the role of motherhood.

Just to clarify, are you referring to instances where the mother has just been lazy and not used protection or is unjustified because they were capable of preventing it? As opposed to instances of rape, medical interference of birth control, the 0.01% chance of birth control failing and external factors to ones own control with exception to abstinence?


I think with a discussion like this there are far too many factors to consider for concise discussion. This is unsurprising since we are literally talking about life, and millions of women's lives (and their partners). There is and endless amount of situations and scenarios mother's may go through in their lives.

While I may be pro-choice (knowing the people I know and the decisions they've made) I also feel that in every possible circumstance I would want the fetus to live and grow to become a human being.

My heart goes out to the women who have had abortions and now live to regret it until the day they die, and my support goes to the women who made the equally difficult decision to keep their child or allow them another form of life. I also pray that, as a woman, I never have to make that decision. I think there are some very innate feelings a women can have over a baby that I don't think all men will ever be able to comprehend (not to say that in any negative way, but there's naturally differences in instincts between men and women). With this in mind, it's hard to imagine what it would be like to be in the position where you have to make that decision.

[Dismas]

I don't think the government should have a say in a woman's decision.

[mothered]

Just to clarify, are you referring to instances where the mother has just been lazy and not used protection or is unjustified because they were capable of preventing it?

I'm referring to mothers (protection or not) with a mutual Involvement In sex:

A lot of mothers are well and truly aware of their responsibility to their child (with consensual Intercourse)

Given It's consensual and the fact that no protection or pill control Is guaranteed 100% (hence the probability of the mother becoming pregnant), then she should accept responsibility for her decision In sexual Intercourse and that of her child.

I know there's a lot of factors Involved (financially Insecure, not mature enough to look after the child etc), but that's my opinion on the matter.

[Panther_]

I don't think the government should have a say in a woman's decision.

And who says it's even the woman's decision to make? It's not her life, it is the child's.

It baffles me the way people talk about abortion as if it is nothing.

[Nil]

And who says it's even the woman's decision to make? It's not her life, it is the child's.

It baffles me the way people talk about abortion as if it is nothing.

Well given the child is unable to make a decision, I believe the mother is our next best bet. That, and also that the child's conception was only possible through her actions and fertility should hold some value.

[Boudica]

I'm referring to mothers (protection or not) with a mutual Involvement In sex:


Given It's consensual and the fact that no protection or pill control Is guaranteed 100% (hence the probability of the mother becoming pregnant), then she should accept responsibility for her decision In sexual Intercourse and that of her child.

I know there's a lot of factors Involved (financially Insecure, not mature enough to look after the child etc), but that's my opinion on the matter.

Fair point, I'd even dare say I pretty much agree.

I wonder though, would this conversation be very different if we were talking about people in third world countries who probably don't even understand how they become pregnant with barely teenage mothers married to 40+ year old men? I feel like many things I think about on this topic are with relevance to the country I live in and the kinds of medical options we have.

[mothered]

I wonder though, would this conversation be very different if we were talking about people in third world countries who probably don't even understand how they become pregnant with barely teenage mothers married to 40+ year old men? I feel like many things I think about on this topic are with relevance to the country I live in and the kinds of medical options we have.

In this case, I definitely agree.

You've pretty much nailed It with pregnancy In third-world countries (and their lack of knowledge) and the availability of medical options.
Well said.

[Panther_]

Well given the child is unable to make a decision, I believe the mother is our next best bet. That, and also that the child's conception was only possible through her actions and fertility should hold some value.

No. The mother does hold power over the child, but not on the scale of life and death (out side of select circumstances). This is in the same sense of the mother cannot abuse, or violate human rights of the child just because she is the mother.

[Boudica]

In this case, I definitely agree.

You've pretty much nailed It with pregnancy In third-world countries (and their lack of knowledge) and the availability of medical options.
Well said.

Thank you. It's important to look at the bigger picture sometimes... We seem to enjoy troubling ourselves with moral responsibility and it's hard to gain perspective when there are so many facets.

[m0dem]

No. The mother does hold power over the child, but not on the scale of life and death (out side of select circumstances). This is in the same sense of the mother cannot abuse, or violate human rights of the child just because she is the mother.

Yes. But many people will argue it is not a true human until some certain (undefined) point.