Any anti-abortion liberals? (moral, birth control, abstinence, contraceptives, choice)

[Mathematician]

I don't like the term "pro-life" used in reference to the abortion debate. To me it paints people of dissenting opinions as "anti-life", which we all know is not the case. After all, aren't we the ones sick of the wars and revenge killings?

Instead I prefer to call myself an anti-abortion liberal. I believe ALL killings outside of defence of the self or another are wrong (in regard to humans, and to a lesser extent animals -- but that's for another topic).

However, like the flash terms used in reference to where people throw their support behind, I do not associate myself with conservative 'pro-life' organizations. I do not call for the execution of abortion doctors, I do not want to intimidate mothers whom have had abortions done, I do not want to revert back to the failed policy of abstinence only, and I do not want mothers faced with likely death to be forced through their pregnancy.

What I do want is more support for struggling women. I believe in investing money in the research of ectogenesis so that we could replace most unwanted pregnancy abortions with artificial womb transfers. I also believe in making post and pre maternal psychological help cheaper, if not free (Socialist! Socialist!) for all pregnant mothers and their SOs.

Of course, being anti-abortion, I also want to see the practice of abortion destroyed. That might not settle well with most of my liberal brothers and sisters, but I just feel that it's an unacceptable practice, unless when the mother's life is in danger.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

I do not call for the execution of abortion doctors, I do not want to intimidate mothers whom have had abortions done, I do not want to revert back to the failed policy of abstinence only, and I do not want mothers faced with likely death to be forced through their pregnancy.

What I do want is more support for struggling women. I believe in investing money in the research of ectogenesis so that we could replace most unwanted pregnancy abortions with artificial womb transfers. I also believe in making post and pre maternal physiological help cheaper, if not free (Socialist! Socialist!) for all pregnant mothers and their SO.

Of course, being anti-abortion, I also want to see the practice of abortion destroyed. That might not settle well with most of my liberal brothers and sisters, but I just feel that it's an unacceptable practice, unless when the mother's life is in danger.

It sits ok with me. I am pro-choice. But I'm not pro-abortion. And it drives me batty when my liberal sisters and brothers refer to the foetus as nothing more than a clump of cells. That may be how they view it, but it's not an objective truth, it's a subjective viewpoint. The woman who wants a child mourns the loss of that same clump of cells.

If we really could transfer unwanted foetuses into artificial wombs I would be all for that, tho I suspect that's a long ways away. And I totally support more services for struggling women who might choose abortion because they can't afford the child. And increase sex ed so that kids know what they're getting themselves into. And make contraceptives easily available. I'd also revamp our adoption system to make it easier to adopt.

What I would love is that instead of the two sides fighting over the morality of abortion, we work together to make it so that the cases of unwanted pregnancies is minimized and pregnant women know that they have resources and support structures should they want to bring the pregnancy to term. If we could do all that, then the pro-lifers could start talking to me about the immorality of abortions and I might agree. Until then, I just don't think we can judge when so many women (and girls!) are between a rock and a hard place.

[Feathers in Hair]

I see myself as being anti-abortion, but not to the extent that I'd want it outlawed. (Except in the case where it's obvious that the fetus/baby can feel pain.) If we could change the circumstances which cause people to believe that abortion is their only option, I think (or at least hope) that it would dramatically decrease the amount of
abortions.

On the other hand, I think there are some people that will only ever see it as destroying an inconvienent mass of cells. (A woman I knew who was, in many ways, conservative, used to get abortions because she felt that birth control was too 'bothersome'.)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Feathers in Hair

I see myself as being anti-abortion, but not to the extent that I'd want it outlawed. (Except in the case where it's obvious that the fetus/baby can feel pain.)

Yes, I forgot to mention that. In my view, abortions should only be legal up to 6 months. After that, only if the mother's life is in danger.

Originally Posted by Feathers in Hair

(A woman I knew who was, in many ways, conservative, used to get abortions because she felt that birth control was too 'bothersome'.)

She should be sterilized. And I'm serious.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by lilithu

She should be sterilized. And I'm serious.

The very scary thing was that she went on to marry and have children. The last I heard of her, she was working as a nurse and partying on her off-hours while the kids were being raised by the nanny, primarily. I think that that's probably healthier for the children than having her raise them.

There are not many people I think ill of for extended periods of time. But when I think of this woman's history, especially in light of the struggles of so many other people to have children, it makes me feel quite angry.

[des]

I would categorize myself as anti-abortion and pro-choice. I think it is a very sad decision, but sometimes it is the only one. The only thing that will actually bring down abortions is services and care for famililes and children. I think it is telling that there were fewer abortions during the Clinton administration than the anti-abortion Bush administration, attributable to lack of funding and services.

I think the term pro-life is very deceptive in a group that is often very pro-war, pro-death penalty, and only supports the life of the fetus-- and not the child, etc.

--des

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

I don't like the term "pro-life" used in reference to the abortion debate. To me it paints people of dissenting opinions as "anti-life", which we all know is not the case. After all, aren't we the ones sick of the wars and revenge killings?

Originally Posted by des

I think the term pro-life is very deceptive in a group that is often very pro-war, pro-death penalty, and only supports the life of the fetus-- and not the child, etc.

Well to be fair to the pro-lifers... they don't mean pro-life in all respects, just this issue. Just as pro-choice doesn't mean pro-choice in all respects. (Tho liberals are generally pro-choice in most things.)

The term-pro life is brilliant framing. It automatically makes it sound like anyone against them is anti-life. It makes it clear what they feel is at stake. Every time you say pro-life, you are forced to remember that there's a life of a foetus involved, and that's what they want. Plus if they had stuck with the label "anti-abortion" it would sound more like they are against women being able to choose (which they are). In terms of framing, you never want to be the anti anything. You want to be the pro. It sounds more positive.

Doesn't pro-peace sound a lot more positive than anti-war?

[Djamila]

I agree with your views, GeneCosta.

I am anti-abortion, personally, I just don't believe the government should be involved in legislating the legality or illegality of such a thing. It's too dangerous - you could end up with women being charged with murder because of a miscarriage or something... or you could have women being forced to abort because of social stigmas attached to some abnormality in the unborn child.

I think government regulations should stay away from babies until they're born.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

Instead I prefer to call myself an anti-abortion liberal. I believe ALL killings outside of defence of the self or another are wrong (in regard to humans, and to a lesser extent animals -- but that's for another topic).

There's no pro-abortion anybody, liberal or conservative. Many people are in favor of keeping the option legal and on the table, but that doesn't mean there's a gang of women who go out and get pregnant so they can have abortions for fun.

[doppelgänger]

I'm an anti-abortion liberal. I think there should definitely be fewer unwanted pregnancies and fewer abortions. I oppose making abortion illegal though or morally condemning others for it, because that doesn't reduce abortions and increases the risks of death and serious injury to women. The two major factors that reduce abortions are sex education/contraception and reducing poverty.