Well, as pointed out in the OP, unwanted children face additional risks when growing up, and so does the mother.
But when the brain isn't functioning you've pretty much proved it's not conscious. 99.999999999999999999999999999999% you know it's not conscious when there's no brain activity, and I doubt anyone thinks it just magically turns on and the fetus is fully conscious.
Besides, how is forcing a woman to undergo pregnancy and birth, the effects that has on her job, financial situation, education etc. the safest course of action? Hell look at the educations statistics I pointed out:
Only one third of mothers who had children before the age of 18 graduated high school, and only 1% graduated college.
Unwanted children do face terrible risks. When the parents don't want the child to begin with and are forced to keep it and take care of it, the risks run from neglect to death.
"Shaken baby" syndrome doesn't happen by itself.
What I don't understand is that I never see anyone protesting at women's clinics who take the would-be Mom, feed, clothe, house her, provide healthcare for her and the baby, then adopt the baby. Instead, they yell, scream, call them names and often physically block the entrances.
That doesn't do a damn thing except show that some people are more enamored with an idea rather than doing anything about the situation. It's a lot easier to make others feel guilty and carry the burden, isn't it?
Purrs,
Pookie
Because, if a woman wants it gone, why restrict her freedom to do so? Certainly the reason isn't a pragmatic benefit to society, nor is it a benefit to her. The only benefit is to the fetus, which usually is, in the vast majority of cases, not even conscious in any sense.
Besides, life isn't sacred. The thoughts, emotions and feelings that life is capable of is the sacred part.
You cannot prove any of what you have asserted here Zo, so why not take the safest course of action and not murder the child?
Boogs, be reasonable here. You should know for a fact that it isn't murder. Murder is the illegal taking of an individuals life. Abortion is legal. Hence, abortion is not murder. You should know this. You're a smart person.
Because, my friend Boogy, at times bringing an unwanted child into the world results in more pain than you want to think about. Hon, read my post before. Some of these children go through unspeakable abuse, only to die.
It's awful to see this. I did see it. I still have nightmares.
Purrs,
Pookie
Ah but Pook, if we use that logic, you could justify the killing of any child out there in order to spare them the possible pain of a rough life. That logic doesn't hold up under scrutiny.
No, not any child. I'm talking about abortion, hon. Six-year-olds don't get aborted. But they do die from abuse and neglect, some because they were unwanted.
I have actually heard moms, when they are arrested for the injury or death (at their hands) of their child, say: "I didn't want him/her. I wanted to get an abortion but (pick a relative or boyfriend) wouldn't let me."
Two lives ruined, if not one lost.
That is part of the reason I am pro-choice.
Purrs,
Pookie
I could never be pro choice (pro death is what this position actually is). I look into the eyes of my children (one who was born extremely premature and we thought we might lose him for a while) and I cannot imagine a person not wanting their child. When I come home from the office each evening I get met at the front door with smiles and hugs and "guess what we did today daddy." Life is sacred and should be protected.
I could never be pro choice (pro death is what this position actually is). I look into the eyes of my children (one who was born extremely premature and we thought we might lose him for a while) and I cannot imagine a person not wanting their child. When I come home from the office each evening I get met at the front door with smiles and hugs and "guess what we did today daddy." Life is sacred and should be protected.
Comparing pro choice to pro death is simply not right. No one who supports abortion is pro death, I know I am not. I know it would be easy to look at your own children and wonder why some people simply don't want them, but the reality is that some people just don't want to have children, for a multitude of reasons.
I'd like to add that many people who claim to be pro life and to 'value all life' are often in support of the death penalty, which seems fairly hypocritical to me. Perhaps a different choice of words would be more appropriate.
Now that I have responded to your post, I should give my views on the issue: I am pro choice, possibly to the point of being pro abortion, although I guess it depends on each individual situation.
I will admit that I support abortion at all stages of pregnancy, although I do not necessarily agree personally with some abortions, I support them all. I do not believe anyone has the right to tell another person what they can and cannot do with their own bodies.
Now, I don't wish to see a rise in the number of abortions, in fact, I'd like to see a decrease, and I think this can be achieved by offering women more counselling, understanding and support. Abortion is never an easy decision, and it can sometimes affect the woman emotionally and mentally, especially if she had doubts before the abortion.