This week we've talked about the three choices that women/teens have when they become pregnant: Parenting, Abortion, and adoption. All of which are not easy decisions to make, but they are the only options that a pregnent teen has. In recent studies (...well...2006 recent) approximately 59% of pregnancies among 15–19-year-olds ended in birth (parenting), and 27% in abortion. That means that 27 out of 100 teen pregnancies usually end in an abortion....This brings me to my main point....
Abortion is a really sensitive subject in present day society. A lot of women/ teens are against abortion for religious/ moral reasons (or just in hopes of keeping the baby's father around), but some actually think that abortion is the best option for themselves. when it comes to teen pregnancy, choosing abortion could be a very difficult decision to make; not only because it terminates the pregnancy, but it also requires parental consent for minors. Telling your parents that you are pregnant can be a difficult task by itself, but telling your parents that you wish to terminate your pregnancy is even more mind boggling. According to an article, "Laws restricting teenagers access to abortion" ( http://www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom/laws-restricting-teenagers-access-abortion) the government requiring parental consent for an abortion prevents alot of teens from actually going through with it. Do you think that parental consent is neccessary for a pregnant teen to have an abortion? if so, why do you think that a teen needs parental consent for an abortion, but they do not need parental consent to give their child up for adoption? Do you think that the number of teenage abortions would increase if parental consent was not required? Tell me thoughts about the article...how do you feel about the topic as a whole?...
Simone McGary
I think that abortion will always be a sensitive topic until we (society) get over how taboo adolescent pregnancy is perceived to be. I can see that we've made progress since 1973 but overall the discourse surrounding abortion is not discussed throughout age groups.
ReplyDeleteI believe that 16 & Pregnant is bringing to light the fact that yes someone who is a teenager can birth a child, and bring him/her up. But it emphasizes how difficult it is. That being said, I will reference a conversation I had in class today, when MTV portrays the teens who choose adoption, they follow these people around to see how they deal with parting with their child and how hard it is, who they seek out for advice and what happens with the adoption. This seems like an even harsher reality because they are shown actively seeking others to help with their problems. In contrast, for the teens who chose to raise their child, they are often demeaned for asking others for help when they cannot raise the child on their own. So when it came to the abortion special, a similar rhetoric was followed.
Abortion and adoption are the two less talked about options when it comes to the teen pregnancy "epidemic" but what if abortion was offered to any woman seeking an alternative to carrying a child? Would this create an increase in abortions? Maybe, but I believe the women who have their sights set on termination will find a way which is an even scarier thought. In my opinion, everyone should have access to abortion because a child deserves consideration and love and if those two factors cannot be factored into the equation, the kid might not live the best life he or she could.
-Claire L.
I think this is an interesting debate. It's really hard to make a decision on this topic. I think parents who are pro-life wouldn't consent to their child having an abortion, unless the family has an image complex. If their more concerned with upholding a particular image to their friends and community, I think they may become pro-choice for a day and resume their pro-life beliefs wants the abortion has occurred. Hypocritical, yes, but I really think people do this which is pretty mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I think parents who are pro-choice may be more open to the ideal of their child having an abortion, but then again, maybe not. I think some pro-choice families would be against abortion when it comes to their only family. I think some pro -choice people are all for abortions as long as they aren’t personally involved or affected. It’s a strange situation.
After considering the decision, I don’t think parents should have consent but I do think they need to be made aware of what their child is about to do. I believe this more out of precaution. I’m sure there are some physical complications that come from abortions, especially if the procedure is administered by someone who isn’t qualified. This brings me to another point, if teens can’t get the consent of their parents, they may go and have the procedure done by people unqualified. This happened in the film, For Colored Girls. A young lady in the film knew her mother would not consent to an abortion or even be open to the ideal of her having a child so she took matters into her own hands. The woman who performed the abortion wasn’t qualified in any way, shape, or form. The girl ended up hospitalized after the event because of complications. This shouldn’t have to happen. On top of physical complications, I’m sure there are emotional consequences behind this decision. The parent should be made aware of this so they can at least be supportive and comforting to their child, male or female, during this time.
Also, no I don’t think abortions would skyrocket without parental consent. Abortions are expensive. Most teenagers, at least the teenagers I have met, are not financially stable and do not generate much income. It’s difficult to finance an abortion if you don’t have the financially
Ashley B.
In my opinion the really important part of that article to keep in mind is the part where it points out that most teens, if they are choosing not to tell their parents about their choice to get an abortion, have a very good reason. I think the most important thing this law does is take away the right of these women to choose what is healthy for themselves. In choosing not to tell their parents, these women are making a decision that should be just as respected as an adult woman choosing to have an abortion. If it is a healthy situation for these women to share this situation with their parents, then chances are that is exactly what will happen.
ReplyDeleteThis whole section about choice has been very interesting. I think that if we expect teens to be able to parent, which is what we are expecting if we are limiting their options to choose not to parent, we should expect them to be able to make rational decisions for themselves. I think so often women are not encouraged or allowed to make decisions that benefit themselves and I think this is just another way we are limiting women's choices for themselves. In my opinion a woman should be able to make a rational decision that is made for her benefit only and that be ok, even encouraged. I mean we aren't encouraging anyone else to make decisions for others and think of themselves last. Being selfinterested or selfish should be ok for a woman making this kind of decision. She is the one having to live with the consequences.
-Emilia
Fake out post.
ReplyDelete