| Honestly, I see your point. This is pretty much a difficult situation for a lot of people. I'm not a woman so I don't think that my voice really counts here - but I will give you, perhaps, some related advice that might help to clear the way in helping you to find your position on this topic.
Abortion has many faces. To many, it's a right to choose, a right to make a choice about one's body - and to others, it's a living being growing inside of you. Is it right to stop the cycle and abort it? It is wrong to end that life - no matter how minuscule or minute it is (after all, amoebas are still alive - aren't they)? There are lots of people that say that if you don't want to take the chance of having kids, you shouldn't be having sex - and to me, that makes a lot of sense. But there's more to it than practicality, really.
Much like Ophiel said, you don't have to choose to have an abortion if you are pro-choice. I know many people that are pro-life and hold that stance up until there's a chance of the mother dying or it causing serious injury - or if the fetus is going to mature with a deformity. There are lots of ifs and in fact, really, you don't even have to label yourself. The most important thing in your situation is to decide the answers to these questions (these questions aren't for others to answer or opinion on - this is for you to think about and look within yourself to find):
- What constitutes life and what is life's smallest form?
- What do you think your faith (if you don't have one, consider your personal philosophy) has to say about the situation - not what the church/temple/mosque/congregation/grove/et al. believes socially, but what you really think the underlying belief tells you or insinuates.
- Based on your previous answers, do you believe that abortion is ending a life?
- Would you ever have an abortion yourself if put into the situation? If so, under what circumstances?
- What limits would you put on abortion if you could (based on your previous considerations)? Three per life-time? Have one and then require a hysterectomy? Abort at will?
- What are the positive effects of aborting?
- Finally, what are the negative effects of aborting?
I realize that you may have considered all of this to some extent already, but really - think through these questions. Go read a couple of articles on how abortions are performed - one by pro-lifers, and one by pro-choicers. You may already know how they are performed but chances are, if you go read these articles, you're going to be swayed one way or another. If you think through these articles and read through these questions and come up with serious, concrete answers - you'll clearly have your bearings.
I will say that I am pro-choice with a few reservations - but then again, I really don't think it's up to me to make that choice broadly since I am male. I don't have to deal with fetuses, I don't have to deal with pregnancy, and I don't have to deal with any of the side effects. I am gay and I do not really want children of my own. I do enjoy being around children sometimes and I enjoy teaching and interacting with children. You, however, may be different - and I'm counting on that. If you're curious: if it came up for a vote, I would (as a voter), vote pro-choice.
This isn't something that someone can really TELL you how you feel or what you think. The answer is inside of you and you are the only one that has the answer. My whole reply might seem a bit "fantasical" or "corny", but this really is a very serious issue and it really does take soul-searching to find your true opinion. I can tell you, if you're interested, some portion of my personal philosophy as it relates to the situation - but really, your position is all up to you. And you alone.
Good luck on your quest.
Let us know how it goes. |