Bottom line is a lot of people believe we should not encourage the use of abortion and I fall into that group.
Once upon a time there was a label, pro abortion. It has long since been changed to pro choice because hardly anyone is pro abortion. Maybe some eugenicists or genocidal sociopaths. OTOH, there is vast support for contraception. Abortion is a failsafe option for most. Unfortunately, we have women who are irresponsible with contraception and others who oppose contraception, but for the most part, abortion is not in play unless contraception fails.
She then went on to inform me that she previously had had six abortions.
I have heard of women who use abortion as their primary means of birth control. Did you ask her why? The one case I recall from the news was a long time ago. In an interview she revealed herself as, at best, a certifiable twit with a bad attitude. I find the notion of using abortion in lieu of contraception ghastly and stupid. Abortions are unpleasant and expensive even if not immoral. Did you ask her why she would do that? I recall vaguely there were issues about the availability of sterilization. That would sound like an appropriate option for her. I am not up to date on this but I think there are still legal and ethical and religious issues that may preclude it.
Is there no point beyond which we say, "Enough is enough?"
We have to recognize that there will always be anomalies. We've talked about this before in a different context--you don't design systems around anomalies. I don't know what to do about the situation you describe other than making voluntary sterilization more available and to educate and encourage contraception, however, there are religious objections to this as public policy.
WRT late term abortions, again, there may be some anomalies and abuses, but the value of having them available, however distasteful, is that they may be better than the alternative. So many horrible and terminal complications cannot be known by 20 weeks. And infanticide is criminal. Thus, the choice is either a late-term abortion or birthing a baby who will know nothing but suffering until it dies naturally. However ugly the abortion, it's merciful and mercy should always be an option, IMO. I personally think there should be a special place in hell for a woman who knowingly allows a baby to be born only to suffer when she could have done something humane prior to birth. |
