Online posting of women's abortion information in Oklahoma

[dalthauser]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/18/oklahoma.abortion/index.html

I read this, and - provided the individual's identity is not revealed - I think it is an excellent idea.  What am I missing here?  Wouldn't knowing the reasons people have abortions be helpful in finding ways to offer preventative options?  Isn't this a good thing?

I've always been torn on the abortion issue. 

I think women should be given the option, but they should also be given counseling on their OTHER options as well.  Abortion should be the last option in my opinion.

I don't believe an unborn child has legal rights, but I do believe that it's a potential person and should be given consideration.

To pay for abortions with taxpayers dollars or not...............

On one hand - this isn't a disease one contracts. You have total control over whether or not you get pregnant.  Pregnancy (usually) doesn't end in death, and should you not want the child you can give it up for adoption once it's born.  Why should a taxpayer have to pay for someone's lack of personal responsibility (save rape, incest, life of child at stake, etc. etc. etc.)

On the other hand - one could say paying for abortions is probably cheaper - having a welfare mom and child(ren) in the system is far more expensive. 

Glad to get it off my chest.  I'm still torn - it's such a difficult thing for a rational person (in my opinion).

I welcome and would look forward to getting comments to discuss; I only ask that it remain civil.

Comments

[k2rider78.livejournal.com]

Women who consider abortions are given counseling to all options. Abortion is not a procedure taken lightly by the woman or the medical professionals involved.

Besides socioeconomic reasons for abortion. Other reasons include rape, incest, health endangerment to the mother. I'm sure there are many other reasons I haven't even mentioned.

Because of the harassment of 'pro-life' organizations from stopping women from getting birth control and rape kits to bombing abortion clinics I think this is a bad idea unless the individual women would like to post online anonymously and tell their reasons, medical records should be kept private. Posted information online is not always secure.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I work with a girl (she's in her early 20's) who recently got an abortion. I overheard her talking about it with two of her friends while we were standing outside for a fire drill. She said it was painless and quick (how she was saying it was similar to "glad it didn't spoil my ENTIRE day!..."). Her friends main interest is how much it cost (to which she replied...."I dunno - my parents paid for it"). It kind of creeped me out to tell you the truth. I hope her attitude is not the majority.

I agree that there are lots of reasons to opt for an abortion. You wouldn't think socioeconomic since the mother could give the baby up for adoption - but what about pre-natal care and drug/alcohol abuse which are factors. Something to consider too (adopting a baby addicted to crack cocaine or has other conditions due to poor care during pregnancy).

[k2rider78.livejournal.com]

Another side of the abortion issue is (and you were able to overhear it) young women who will always be taken care of by their families. Her parents would probably be able to 'bail' he out no matter what the abortion laws are at the time. Where a young woman in an incest situation has limited resources are we in a position to judge any woman?

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

Oh, i think it's harrasment. There are lots of conditions we would like to prevent that we don't make you answer 10 pages of questions, trying to understand why you got in that situation, before you are allowed the procedure. It's intimidation, my gosh, how many times must a woman repeat, that she doesn't want the child?

Compare it to Jim Crow laws, where they couldn't out right say African-Americans could not vote; so they added these hurdles that were impossible to jump.

Plain and simple (to me!) there has always been abortion, it's weather we provide a safe place for it to happen.

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

I didn't look at it that way, but now that you say it - I suppose it could be considered harassment.

I think it's the doctor who is filling out the questionaire, but still - it could be considered harassment for the doc too I guess.

[kabuldur.livejournal.com]

I always think that it is killing a life - not something I'd be willing to do in a hurry. But, there are many reasons for abortion, I think we have to support the mother here. I think it should be free and blame-free. Even though the govt may be paying for it, the money still goes back to the community in the way of employment etc. I don't think carrying the baby to term and then adopting it is necessarily an easy thing to do. For one, there is a social stigma to an unmarried woman being pregnant; also it's not easy to give a baby up for adoption. Also, it should be legal. Sometimes, it's the best option. I chose life for my babies, but don't judge those who don't.