The Other Victims of Abortions

One of the biggest problems with dealing with the subject of abortion (besides the two sides lining up and hurling talking points at 20 paces) is that very few people are completely honest about the subject, often cherry picking things that support their argument.

I started thinking this post last week after a comment on another post, which has since been deleted by the author. As I can't seem to find it (it cleared from my trash folder), I'll have to paraphrase. In essence it referred to the women who had abortions as sick and evil (which may be why the author deleted it).

Now as I happen to know that the poster is a Christian (I could even name the denomination if I was determined enough), I was struck that this was NOT the attitude Jesus would bring to the situation. He would love the person no matter what, even while deploring the actions. I don't think I need to make a list of the sinners he hung with (I'm not the biblical scholar), although I could pull out a couple of names really quick.

And there's another reason to love the women who have abortions (besides choosing to swing it JC-style): I consider them victims to a degree as well.

While out garage sale-ing last Friday, I picked up a copy of The Cider House Rules by John Irving. And wouldn't you know, I'm thinking about this post on abortion and I find a novel which very much covers the subject of abortion.

In this case though, it's the early to mid 20th century, where abortions are still done in the back alleys and under the radar (and at an orphanage, in the book). What struck me was the desperation of the characters who both went to deliver orphans and those who sought out the doctor for abortions. In these days it wasn't acceptable or legal, but it was common enough. So for any woman to take the risks then, and for them to do it even now in many parts of society, takes a great need to not have a baby after they've already blown it on the contraception front.

I had to do some looking into the legality of abortions over time. I discovered that it wasn't until the 18th century that abortion became illegal in general. Prior to that, it was mostly opposed by the stalwarts of Christianity, for the same reasons the pro-life movement does today. And now we've come mostly full circle, to where it is legal, but distasteful, a subject when discussed falls into the bog-standard camps. But when considered for practical application, it becomes a much harder thing to consider.

That brings me to this week, and the FDA policy concerning the Plan B morning-after contraceptive for 17-year-olds.

After reading both Gayle's post on the issue, and Satyavati's as well, I'm ok with the idea, to a point.

In one sense, this is a form of birth control, specifically so the girl doesn't have to face the choice of abortion (I don't lose sleep over fertilized cell clumps). Any girl that has 1. already had sex, 2. without another form of contraception, and 3. has the sense and money to correct that mistake should be allowed to do so. I do draw the line when it falls under the age of consent (as in statutory rape). As the ages of 16, 18, and 21 are very arbitrary numbers we use to define stages of adulthood (driving, legal, and drinking), I prefer to err on the side of the 17-year-old who takes responsibility for her actions.

Again, it comes back to teaching reason, learning responsibility, and instilling a sense of right and wrong. And in the modern era, with so many ways to arrest reproduction if the prior lessons fail, abortion should be down to a rare last resort. Until it is, the number of victims (both living and dead) will grow.


Okay, that's it. Now, before you all tee off and start flinging the insanity, here's a marvelously gratuitous and excessively tasteless clip (from South Park) with an abortion bent to it. When you get done laughing or vomiting, then let me have it: