Thoughts on no-win situations and abortion politics...

[moominmuppet]

One of the things that's especially annoying about being involved in abortion access rights, which is obviously a huge topic for me, is that in terms of justifications/nullifications of my viewpoints, it's an absolute no-win situation to state whether I've personally had an abortion or not

Comments

[forestfire]

I don't think abortion is evil, but I fall more on the line of abortion is causing a death than you or most pro-choice people do. My reasons for being pro-choice are similar to what you described although not exactly. I have also found that I've had luck convincing people who are moderately pro-life (would never stand outside a clinic, but have negative feelings towards abortion being legal) to rethink their positions because we do start from the same point. To that end, I think working on an argument from that starting point is valuable even though you disagree with it

[moominmuppet]

To that end, I think working on an argument from that starting point is valuable even though you disagree with it.

*nod* Exactly. It makes no sense for me to argue my perspective with people when they aren't going to agree with my underlying premises. It's just a waste of breath.

I have framed that entire argument in the language of conservatism. I talk about the fear of government rather than bodily integrity

*nod* That's a good point about framing.

Ultimately, it is the moderates who matter in the vote. The crazies alone don't change laws... it is the moderates they sway.

Exactly.

[mseuphrates]

even if it ends in a totally emotionally neutral adoption at the end (and life isn't that simple anyway, in terms of how adoption works in people's lives).

Wise backpeddle there, as there's no such thing as an emotionally neutral adoption, even the ones that go right (and honestly MOST of them do, they just don't make interesting news stories).

If you ever are either interested, or have someone who needs to hear the perspective of someone who's been there...consider my hand raised.

[moominmuppet]

there's no such thing as an emotionally neutral adoption, even the ones that go right

*nod* It's one of the things that makes me angry about how the antis present it; it's utterly disingenous of them. I know people who feel many different ways about having given a child up for adoption, but none that just do so and walk away like nothing happened, emotionally.

If you ever are either interested, or have someone who needs to hear the perspective of someone who's been there...consider my hand raised.

Much appreciated.

[sylvanfae]

How about straddling both ends (and then some?)

I started out life being a religious, anti-abortion conservative. Then I went through two pregnancies, births, and nursing, and raising children. I saw right away that these things can be hard, miserable, life-changing, expensive ordeals, and that no one should ever be forced into it. So I became pro-choice. Thought it all through and came to the pro-choice conclusion. So I was pro-choice (and a mother!) without having had an abortion. Then I had need of the service. I had an abortion, and lo and behold, my opinion didn't change. It was reinforced.

So I've stood on both sides of that situational rhetoric weapon, as well as where they stand. The more I lived and experienced and thought and researched, the stronger I felt about retaining choice for women. So I have my own opinions about who is misguided and in denial.

Combining my experiences with my passion for liberty, the government intrusion angle and the bodily sovereignty angle are equally important to me.

[cassidyrose]

I became even more convinced of the need for safe, legal abortions after being pregnant and having a child. No one should *ever* be forced into being a mother, not to mention there are any number of situations where abortion truly is the best option.

[moominmuppet]

The more I lived and experienced and thought and researched, the stronger I felt about retaining choice for women. So I have my own opinions about who is misguided and in denial.

Oh, you and me both!

And although I haven't had the same experiences you have, I've found the strength of my conviction about this has only increased with the years, too.

[cassidyrose]

Thank you for writing this

[moominmuppet]

If all we ever hear about is women who "would never choose to have an abortion" and those who would make that choice or have made that choice are left in the shadows abortion becomes this mythical medical procedure that no one *really* needs, therefore it becomes all too easy to lose access to it.

Yes, exactly this!