Abortion: A question of choice

[Jonathan David]

I am creating this poll in response to the current question about abortion and the death penalty. I believe that the results of that poll suffer slightly from an unclear question.

Particularly, it has been discussed that there is a difference between being "pro-choice" and being "pro-abortion". Currently, the results of that poll show an overwhelming majority of people oppose the death penalty (75%) while their is a fairly even split on the question of abortion (with a majority being anti-abortion and a minority being pro-abortion). I simply want to see what happens to those numbers when we focus on "choice" rather than "abortion".

For the sake of this poll,

PRO-CHOICE means that you support safe legal access to abortion and the right to choice, regardless of the conditions under which the pregnancy occured.

ANTI-CHOICE means that you believe that abortion should be illegal and that pregnancy should result in the carrying of a child until birth, regardless of the conditions under which the pregnancy occured.

I appreciate that many would use the term "pro-life" rather than "anti-choice" however I am trying to focus on our beliefs about public policy, not our personal feelings about life and abortion... we can discuss the power of naming and labels if people choose to use this thread for that purpose.

Peace.

JD

P.S. Names are going to remain private for this excercise but you can talk about your decision in the thread if you want to make it public.

 

[theeyesoftammyfaye]

PRO-CHOICE here.

 

[jayem]

I'm pro choice up to the point of natural viability, then I believe the states can legislate reasonable restrictions on abortion.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

I refuse to participate in this poll because of the poor wording. Reproductive choice is entirely equated with abortion and anyone with reservations about abortion gets labeled as anti-choice.

 

[Mac6yver]

I refuse to participate in this poll because of the poor wording. Reproductive choice is entirely equated with abortion and anyone with reservations about abortion gets labeled as anti-choice.

I agree with you that the wording is not fair. However, I have seen MANY polls on this board created by pro-life people where they substituted "Pro-Choice" with "Anti-Life" or "Pro-Abortion".

 

[Oblivious]

PRO-CHOICE means that you support safe legal access to abortion and the right to choice, regardless of the conditions under which the pregnancy occured.

Well, I don't really fall under that "category" or the anti-choice category. I think if a woman is raped, it's not her fault therefore she should have the right to terminate the pregnancy. Other than that circumstance, I'm "anti-choice".

 

[Jonathan David]

I refuse to participate in this poll because of the poor wording. Reproductive choice is entirely equated with abortion and anyone with reservations about abortion gets labeled as anti-choice.

I believe that the term attempts to explain that abortion is one of several choices that an individual can make. Do you have any suggestions as to how it might be better worded? I'm really not trying to put a bad poll out. I'm just curious about the distincion between people's feeligs about abortion and their feelings about choice.

Peace.

JD

 

[Jonathan David]

PRO-CHOICE means that you support safe legal access to abortion and the right to choice, regardless of the conditions under which the pregnancy occured.

Well, I don't really fall under that "category" or the anti-choice category. I think if a woman is raped, it's not her fault therefore she should have the right to terminate the pregnancy. Other than that circumstance, I'm "anti-choice".

That's why I added the "None of the Above" category. I appreciate that some people are not "black and white" in their feelings about choice but I don't know how to capture that range in a poll.

Peace.

JD

 

[Jonathan David]

Okay, I want to respond more to the concerns about the use of "anti-choice". When I was creating the poll, I thought about "anti-abortion" but I know people who are both "pro-choice" and "anti-abortion" so I figured that wouldn't work. "Pro-life" makes the assumption that "pro-choice" is "anti-life". I just didn't know how to address this... hence the note after the explanation of the options. I am not using "anti-choice" as a perjorative but as a description of one's feelings about whether or not people should have the choice to have an abortion under law. Finally, I would point out that there is a "none of the above" category which can always be used if the existing categories are unsatisfactory.

Peace.

JD

 

[Oblivious]

That's why I added the "None of the Above" category.

And apparently I can't read!

 

[praying]

I appreciate that many would use the term "pro-life" rather than "anti-choice" however I am trying to focus on our beliefs about public policy, not our personal feelings about life and abortion... we can discuss the power of naming and labels if people choose to use this thread for that purpose.

Excellent distinction JD!

I am against abortion and I only developed that belief after having children, knowing what is like to have life grow in my body. I am torn though whether I am willing to impose my feelings on others via public policy. I am definitely against late term abortions in that area I am willing to impose, where the cutoff should be I don't know since I do not have that sort of medical knowledge.

Edited to add I am the one undecided at this point.

 

[Jonathan David]

Excellent distinction JD!

I am against abortion and I only developed that belief after having children, knowing what is like to have life grow in my body. I am torn though whether I am willing to impose my feelings on others via public policy. I am definitely against late term abortions in that area I am willing to impose, where the cutoff should be I don't know since I do not have that sort of medical knowledge.

Edited to add I am the one undecided at this point.

Yeah, I have a friend who was pregnant. The doctors told her that there was a high probability that her child would be born with little to no brain activity (I actually can't remember all the details). Anyway, she considered having an abortion but decided against it. Her son is now 13 and she is so happy about the decision that she made... and she has become more sure that she would never have an abortion... but she still beleives in safe access for others.

I find that, of the people that I know, those who are personally anti-abortion and publicly pro-choice often have the most nuanced thinking on the subject... not that those who don't hold that exact view aren't nuanced. Rather, it takes a mature mind to come to that sort of opinion.

Peace.

JD

 

[flicka]

Pro choice. If you believe there is any reason whatsoever that an abortion is warrented (rape, mothers health, etc) then it is the only possible answer. Anything less would require someone other that the woman and her doctor to determine if an abortion can occur...and how exactly does that work?

You dont have to be in favor of abortions to be pro choice.

 

[praying]

Pro choice. If you believe there is any reason whatsoever that an abortion is warrented (rape, mothers health, etc) then it is the only possible answer. Anything less would require someone other that the woman and her doctor to determine if an abortion can occur...and how exactly does that work?

You dont have to be in favor of abortions to be pro choice.

Well given those reasons I am pro-choice.

 

[panterapat]

LIFE - LIFE - LIFE

 

[jayem]

Here's a suggestion on a different wording that put the focus on the state's legislative power. It's more complicated, but it allows more choices:

"As a matter of good public policy, when should a state have the authority to proscribe or outlaw abortion?

1) Anytime during pregnancy, no exceptions
2) Anytime except in cases of a serious maternal health threat
3) Anytime except in cases of a serious maternal health threat or fetal deformity
4) Anytime except in cases of rape or incest
5) Anytime excepting rape, incest, and serious maternal or fetal health threats
6) Anytime after the first trimester
7) Only after the second trimester
8) Only after the third trimester
9) Only after natural viability
10) Never
11) Other, or some combination of the above

There are probably lots of other possibilities.

 

[Tracie]

Nobody else has posted saying they voted "anti-choice", so I just thought I'd let you know I did. Since I don't think abortion is right in any circumstance, that's how I had to vote. I guess I just believe no one has the "choice" to murder another human being, whether that person is an adult, child, or a baby.

I honestly don't understand the concept of being "anti-abortion" AND "pro-choice". I think if you truly are "anti-abortion" there is no way you can be "pro-choice". I can't sit here and say I'm "anti-rape", but everyone has the choice to rape if they want. Or I am "anti-stealing", but you should be allowed if it is your view that stealing is ok. If something is wrong, it's wrong and I don't see how a person can think something is wrong (especially as wrong as taking a life), but think it is ok for someone else to do it if they think it is ok.

I don't know if I just got my point across or not. ???

Tracie

 

[Jonathan David]

Here's a suggestion on a different wording that put the focus on the state's legislative power. It's more complicated, but it allows more choices:

"As a matter of good public policy, when should a state have the authority to proscribe or outlaw abortion?

1) Anytime during pregnancy, no exceptions
2) Anytime except in cases of a serious maternal health threat
3) Anytime except in cases of a serious maternal health threat or fetal deformity
4) Anytime except in cases of rape or incest
5) Anytime excepting rape, incest, and serious maternal or fetal health threats
6) Anytime after the first trimester
7) Only after the second trimester
8) Only after the third trimester
9) Only after natural viability
10) Never
11) Other, or some combination of the above

There are probably lots of other possibilities.

That looks great. I think that we would have to cut one of them because the system only allows 10 but I think that we should put this one up too. I might suggest getting rid of the "after the third trimester" ... but this sort of model would certainly allow for a more nuanced examination of our beliefs. I also think that I would like to remove the part about the state being able to prescribe abortion... at that point, we get into state-sponsored eugenics... which is a whole other area.

Peace.

JD

 

[Blessed75]

I refuse to participate in this poll because of the poor wording. Reproductive choice is entirely equated with abortion and anyone with reservations about abortion gets labeled as anti-choice.

This of course is just your opinion.......

 

[feral]

I can't vote on this because I am entirely torn. I am generally anti-abortion except in cases of rape, pregnant minors or health risks to the mother. At the same time I encourage choice and know my opinion isn't shared by all. My opinions are not "regardless of the conditions under which pregnancy occured" because I feel much more supportive of a rape victim aborting the baby then I am about a person who was careless with birth control seeking yet another abortion. I believe also in informed choice, that is knowing all your options and having a real choice, not being forced into abortion due to poverty, desperation or uncertainty about the future as a single mom.