Question about abortion

[holyorders]

Here is a made-up scenario:

Lets say a young girl has sex and gets pregnant with her boyfriend. She wants to raise the baby. Her parents and her boyfriend want her to have an abortion. They pressure her and even psychologically abuse her so that she will abort her baby. Is it still a choice for her? Should women be psychologically evaluated to be sure that she is not coerced to have an abortion?

Please discuss.

 

[Spherical Time]

I have no idea whatsoever.

The situation is simply phrased but still massively complex.

 

[Caylin]

Here is a made-up scenario:

Lets say a young girl has sex and gets pregnant with her boyfriend. She wants to raise the baby. Her parents and her boyfriend want her to have an abortion. They pressure her and even psychologically abuse her so that she will abort her baby. Is it still a choice for her? Should women be psychologically evaluated to be sure that she is not coerced to have an abortion?

Please discuss.

Aren't they? I thought most places made you talk to a counselor before doing the procedure.

 

[michabo]

Mental (and physical) abuse happens, and the victims suffer many scars. You use abortion as an example, but you might offer any number of others. I think anyone having an abortion should speak to someone before and after to make sure that they are prepared for the decision they make. It's similar to making sure that people who test positive for STDs should speak to a counsellor - these are emotionally charged situations, and it's good to have someone help.

As for the abuse, the answer isn't to find all of the big decisions in a person's life and make sure they aren't being coerced, but to provide help for those that are being abused and want to get out. If they aren't willing to help themselves, no interview will detect it or change anything. And if this interviewer had the power to block people from having an abortion (or whatever), you can bet there will be lawsuits which will successfully shut down the process. It's an invitation to prejudice.

 

[holyorders]

Mental (and physical) abuse happens, and the victims suffer many scars. You use abortion as an example, but you might offer any number of others. I think anyone having an abortion should speak to someone before and after to make sure that they are prepared for the decision they make. It's similar to making sure that people who test positive for STDs should speak to a counsellor - these are emotionally charged situations, and it's good to have someone help.

As for the abuse, the answer isn't to find all of the big decisions in a person's life and make sure they aren't being coerced, but to provide help for those that are being abused and want to get out. If they aren't willing to help themselves, no interview will detect it or change anything. And if this interviewer had the power to block people from having an abortion (or whatever), you can bet there will be lawsuits which will successfully shut down the process. It's an invitation to prejudice.

If the mother doesn't want the abortion it's her choice isn't it? The pro-choice crowd always says it is the women's decision. If outside influences are abusing her to have an abortion does it not negate her actual choice to have the abortion? If the mother really wants the baby, and she is conceding to family/friends/boyfriends out of fear and psychological pressure to have the abortion, she should be allowed to be given a real choice oof her own to keep the baby........................................right?

 

[Verv]

I think that there is a lot of potential for this -- I have a very good friend that when she was pregnant outside of marriage for her second time everyone attempted to convince her to abort the child, which was the last thing on her mind. Fortunately her conviction and commitment to high ideals was enough that it did not persuade her, but a the same time...

Women become very susceptible to these pressures when making such a huge decision.

 

[michabo]

If the mother doesn't want the abortion it's her choice isn't it?

Right.

If the mother really wants the baby, and she is conceding to family/friends/boyfriends out of fear and psychological pressure to have the abortion, she should be allowed to be given a real choice oof her own to keep the baby........................................right?

Right.

By the same context, if she doesn't want an abortion deep down, but still signs up for it, says she wants one to a counsellor, pays for it and is prepared to go through with it, there's nothing that anyone should be able to do about it. We aren't thought police.

 

[Donnywazoo]

I agree michabo. I also agree that the options should be laid down without implying one is better than another - the facts should be present. But, this is the real world and everyone sticks their oar in. I can't see how it can be avoided, though protocols are in place to try to enforce it somewhat.

In any case, with all the education around, having unprotected sex with a boyfriend without being ready mentally to have a baby, shows a lack of reasoning anyway. I mean, hypothetically, what did she expect to happen when having unprotected sex?