Due Saturday (2/26) by noon
After reading the essay, “And So I Choose,” by Allison Crews place her discussion of “rights” in conversation with the article you read for class this week, “Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life?” First (2 paragraphs), in your own words, please describe why each of these terms are in fact problematic or limiting to our larger discussion of reproductive rights. Why were each limiting in Crew’s reflection? What does a “reproductive justice” paradigm offer instead? Second (1-2 paragraphs) reflect on the recent arguments surrounding legislation addressed to congress (see links below). What do you think is at stake in politicizing women’s bodies and reproduction? What would a reproductive justice argument look like in response to this legislation.
Although Roe v. Wad was passed in 1973 which allowed women the right to a safe and legal abortion, the issue of abortion still suffers its criticisms. After reading the essay, "And So I Choose," by Allison Crews, and "Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life, I came to a clearer understanding about both sides, rather remaining independent. The ideas of pro-choice as well as pro-life are both to some degree problematica and limit reproductive rights. The reproductive justice paradigms is the way of looking at a woman's body as a whole and not as a womb in which both reproductive rights and health can be considered. Why not have a right to a choice that many women fought for not so long ago? As equal members of society women have a right of choice to make their own important choices.
ReplyDeleteThose that fit into the pro-life category believe that a fetus is a life and that abortion should be criminalized. With this being said, those who are pro-life seem to hold opinions based merely on morality. This marginalizes not only women, but women of color, poor woment, andc woment with disabilities, because of their lack of education of these issues and access to health care. Why these women have resorted to the decision of abortion, due to finances, educational purposes, addiction, or whatever is not questioned, but that they should be punished instead. Criminal justice fails to address these social problems and has yet to settle the reproductive issue. Those that are pro-choice believe that a fetus is not a life and believe in the protection of a woman's ablility to control her own body; therefore, being supportive of any reproductive choice a woman makes for herself. The limitations are that there are more choices for women about reproduction with resources than without. Just like those who were pro-life, pro-choice advocates also side with positions that oppress women of marginalized communities. Poor women have no right to choose as well as those deemed incapable of having children due to age. In Crew's reflection she faced the opinions of everyone else and was not granted her own right to choice. She suffered harrassment and intimidation from those who felt the need to force there opinions on her and even by those claiming to be supportive of any reproductive choice a woman might make. Because of her age she was not capable of making her own decision. Both diminish rights to give women control of their bodies due to moral claims making them more similar than different.
In politicizing women's bodies and reproduction I think a woman's right as and equal citizen is at stake. Not only do I think the rights of women are at stake but, I think a woman's health and status in society are at stake also. Before Roe v. Wade women were not given choices in their reproduction and either had to turn to adoption, lower their chances of ever being able to start careers, or achieve a proper education. Women should have the right to proper health services and without that, may put women at greater risks for health issues not only for those who do not want children but, for those who want them as well. Reduction of contraceptives creates more health risks in women due to the possible spread of STDs that they might not be able to recieve care for. It also creates health risks for women who may not be able to have children to to health risks that may end in mortality. This will also cause an increasing amount of unwanted pregnancies and an increasing demand of abortions. If people are not given the opportunity of safe and legal abortions they might seek illegal forms of the procedure that could be very fatal. Again this would not settle the reproductive issue but just solves the social problem instead.
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In Allison Crews “And So I Chose” and “Beyond Pro-choice Versus Pro-life” both share good ideas on what they think of abortion. Although they had good arguments they left out the bigger picture. The things we talked about in class like the government’s involvement with a mother’s decision on abortion and reproductive justice for example. Reproductive justice is about the woman’s well being, not about all the Pro-life and Pro-choice arguments.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these terms are problematic to our larger discussion of reproductive rights. Pro-Choice is problematic because people who believe in Pro-Life think they don’t care about aborting a baby and are not taking responsibility for their own actions. Pro-Life is problematic because Pro-Choice people see them as people who let the government control your decisions and control your body. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as “the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health”. In my opinion, abortion should not be encouraged as a method of family planning.
The legislation made a vote to end federal funding from Planned Parenthood in the article “Planned Parenthood Funding Blocked in House Vote”. The best statement I read from a different blog was something along the lines of “Why should the government provide money for the people who want abortions if Pro-Choice followers think the government shouldn’t control what we do with our bodies?” This is exactly my thought on the topic. If you don’t think they should have the decision on whether or not a woman should have an abortion, don’t expect them to pay for you to have one. However, because of the end of federal funding to try and weaken the provider for abortion, other things such as contraceptives, HIV tests, cancer screenings and reproductive health services are at stake.
There are several reasons why the terms “Pro-Choice” and “Pro-life” are problematic. They both insinuate things that are not true. For people who claim to be one or the other, it doesn’t always mean that they feel the same as everyone else in the “group.” People who claim to be Pro-Life are assumed to be people who do not believe in choices. They are believed to be people who are okay with the government controlling their every move. Neither of the things could be true. It could simply mean that they do not approve of abortions because of their religious beliefs, not that they want the government to control everything.
ReplyDeleteThere are also several problems with the term “Pro-Choice.” When someone announces that they recoginize themselves as “Pro-Choice” they are automatically labeled as someone who thinks that abortions should always be okay, that they themselves would have an abortion, and that they would advise their friends to have an abortion. None of these things could be true. For example, before learning about the negative things about the terms pro-life and pro-choice, I identified as pro-choice. Not because I would ever have an abortion, but because I do not think that anyone can tell someone else what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. These terms are limiting because it can distract people from the purpose of identifying themselves on one side’s stance.
Currently, more people are pushing for the term “Reproductive Rights” to be used. Basically, this doesn’t establish a person as pro-choice or pro-life, but rather “uses the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill” as defined in the Center for Reproductive Rights Supplemental Testimony. Basically, this means that instead of saying that they are okay or are not okay with abortion, it establishes that people should be guaranteed their rights no matter what the circumstances. It says that a person should be allowed to do what they want with their own body. This is helpful to the cause because instead of saying whether or not someone supports abortion, they support reproductive rights, which could even include the right to purchase birth control.
Pro-life describes the moral, political and ethical opposition to eliminate abortion and support for its legal prohibition or restriction. Those involved in the pro-life movement generally maintain that the human fetus (and in most cases the human embryo) is a person and therefore has a right to life. On the issue of abortion, pro-lifers are opposed by pro-choicers who generally advocate for women's reproductive rights. The pro-life movement may also include people who oppose euthanasia and embryonic stem-cell research. In addition, the pro-life movement is associated with the family values movement, whose principles include opposition to pornography and opposition to same-sex marriage.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could describe what choice is better than Allison Crews in her article "And So I Choose." The last paragraph explains what being pro-choice means to her, and I couldn't agree more. I think choice is the most fundamental right for feminists. Without choice our only option is to submit to the white supremacist capitalist patriarchal system that tells us what we should do with our bodies, our choices, our lives. I think there are other rights that feminists need to work for, but nothing is more important than our right to choose. First and foremost, if women cannot choose what to do in their private lives, then how are women supposed to fight for other rights in the public sphere? I do not think there should be any limits to our ability to choose. Like Crew listed for almost a full page, there are really no limits to the decisions we can make. No matter the limits that are set by the governments or the church, women always have the ability to take matters into their own hands. Each woman individually should always be in control of setting limits or no limits for herself.
What bothered me the most while reading the article about the government passing the new Parenthood bill was the fact the government is basically trying to control the private sexual relationships that people have. I find it disturbing how some think forced sterilization and contraceptive use will in turn eradicate crime rates. Instead of spending all this money on "controlling the population," I feel that this money could be better spent getting to the real root of the problem, and that problem is not the existence of that race. Perhaps if the government could provide better sexual education programs, better education in general, a better welfare policy and a livable minimum wage, these would help reduce crime, while at the same time empowering not only women and people of color, but the whole population.
@Samantha Adams: I agree with you, I coined myself as Pro-choice as well, although I am somewhat stuck in the middle! I just feel as though everyone should be able to make their own life decisions without governmental judgments or excess control.
ReplyDelete@Tariah Hunt, I agree with you as well! A lot is at stake for a woman's healthcare with this particular bill being passed. Therefore, even more women will be at risk for a lot of health problems related to sex and pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteIn Allison Crew's article's, she explain differences and problems brewing between the differences between pro-life and pro-choice. When given the choice, people in fact did not even know the difference between the two according to their answers. As a whole, the two phrases start problems because it is rare that one is completely one sided, which they would have to be to pick one or the other. In the larger picture, it is hard for the government to make laws involving this because of the vast difference between the two. By making the law leaning towards Pro-choice, they are making it seem like they are for abortion. If they made it Pro-Life, they would seem completely against abortion.
ReplyDeleteWith these two very different sides, it is easy to see how problems will arise. The biggest issue is what each one thinks of each other. A person who is "Pro-life" may look down someone who is "Pro-choice", because they would automatically assume that they are all for abortion. When, that person most likely is more for the choice to have a choice. It goes both ways when a pro-choice person thinks that a pro-life person is completely one-sided in the situation as well. The assumptions made by both parties stir up enough conflict that doesn't even involve the bigger picture. The government has made it possible for women to have a right to their own body. This stirs up conflict in society, because many people think that it is not right to kill the unborn fetus. If a woman doesn't have the right to her own body, what does she have the right of? We sit here fighting for women's rights when here is a case right in front of us. I personally would never have an abortion, but I do think, as a woman, I should have the right to choose.
Reproductive Rights is the only thing that is the happy median between both sides. It is not saying pro-choice or pro-life, but that in all cases a person should have their own rights as a human being. With the government cutting funding for health services towards women, what is next? If a woman can have an abortion, should she not have the right to everything else including natural exams and birth control? Many other things are at stake besides getting birth control. For women who can't afford to pay for needed STD testing and exams, what are they trying to prevent/help?
I hate that in our society you are expected to be on this side or that. In this case, either being Pro-Life or Pro-Choice. Growing up, Allison Crews was taught to be pro-Choice but then later changed her position and became interested in helping women cope with whatever side of the spectrum they decided to place themselves. This issue is so controversial in America because there are so many different sources saying what is “right” and what is “wrong.” For example, Roe v. Wade disregard that a fetus is established as a life, but the bible says differently. Science is becoming more advanced everyday, while those sources are becoming more and more outdated. The two side of the spectrum are both problematic because in terms of reproductive justice we should be looking at the situation in the woman's perspective instead of them being fetus centered.
ReplyDeleteIn the recent arguments within the legislature have raised many debates. One is that people are complaining that our tax payer dollars are going to Plan Parenthood. Plan Parenthood's purpose is not just for giving abortions, they give out contraceptive, give tests, and council women in need. This organization is one that is highly needed in our world today. I think that the people who complain about their tax money going to Plan Parenthood are uneducated in the government. Majority of citizens paying taxes have NO clue where their money goes. The only place they do know where it's going is here and Americans like to complain and raise issues bashing the government. Its what we do.
After reading the article "And So I Choose" by Allison Crews, "Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life", and class discussion I have a better understanding why those terms are unqualified to define abortion. In the article by Allison Crews she starts of telling us how it was to be pregnant before the passing of Roe v. Wade with no birth control, condoms available for unmarried women. That a women technically had 2 choice but really only one because of the risk and money it cost for an abortion. In the second article i mentioned it discuss for what reasons why pro-life and pro-choice did not really work because they saw the women only as a womb. In class during Diana's presentation it defined what Reproductive Justice was and the 3 frames to it. Reproductive Justice: is a way to look at the women's body as a whole not just as a womb. These articles informed me on a lot but left out how the government is involved with a women's choice which I think is something very important to discuss and learn.
ReplyDeleteBoth pro-life and pro-choice are problematic because the way they view abortion is clean cut no exceptions. Pro-life is problematic because they view the fetus as a life and abortion should be criminalized due to the fact that the women is killing a life. Another reason it is problematic is because people who are Pro-Choice see them as people who let the government make all their decisions over their body and not themselves. Pro-Choice is also problematic for two big reasons as well though. Pro-Choice people see the "the fetus is a life- but sometimes that life must be ended"- Jeanette Bushnell. Pro-Life viewers see Pro-Choice problematic because they are choosing abortion to avoid their responsibility and do not care about killing the fetus.
In today's society not many people fit strictly into either Pro-Life or Pro-Choice because of the role Reproductive Justice plays in life. Reproductive Justice is probably the only median between the two because it cares about the rights of a women over her body and takes in the exceptions that could interfere with being strictly one way. Though this is important it is being tested by the government lowering funds for birth control, STD test, and other natural examines. Women should have the right to have excess to things that can help prevent pregnancies and diseases that could not only effect their life but bodies. The government should try to help/prevent these kind of things from happening but they are actually making it worse by cutting funding. What are they going to do next but an age limit of having access to these things?
After reading both of these articles, my perspective on pro-life and pro-choice has been altered, and I fully understand why these two terms should not be used to define abortion. I was amazed at the first article, the one written by Allison Crew. It shocked me to see how when she was growing up, she was taught to be pro-choice. She then later changed her decision to be on both sides of the spectrum so that she could lend a helping hand to others, helping them to truly understand abortion. In the second article, women were seen as nothing more than a womb. Therefore pro-choice and pro-life was not even really an option for them. However times have drastically changed because now the government is heavily involved in women's choices.
ReplyDeleteAs we discussed in class on Wednesday, pro-life and pro-choice can both be seen as offensive when it comes to discussing abortion. With these terms, everything is simply black and white, there is not in-between. Which can make the decision even more complicated for the mothers. People often times disagree with pro-life becuae they look at the fetus as a life and it is a crime to murder someone. Pro-Choice is seen as a problem of those who are pro-lfe because people use abortion to avoid have to take care of their responsibility and do not care about taking an innocent life.
Thank God for Reproductive Justice, it plays a major role in between pro-life and pro-choice. Diana introduced this to our class on wednesday. Reproductive Justice is so popular because it actually cares about the women more so than just their body. The government is currently tryiing to lower the funding that is provided for birth control, STD and HIV testing and annual papsmears. By the government reducing the funds that women would have access to as far receiving contraceptives to prevent pregnancies and prevention of contracting diseases, but instead these events could start occurring more frequently because of funding not being dispersed accurately and fairly.
@TaylorMcNeil I really love what you had to say! You keep everything tactful, and didnt directly point the finger at anyone. We also had a lot of the same points!
ReplyDelete@VictoriaArnold I see that you & I are in the same boat as far as our stand on abortion. I dont consider myself pro-life nor pro-choice. I just want the mother to make the proper decision for her lifestyle and be able to live comfortably with her decision.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the passages "And So I Choose" by Allison Crews and "Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life" it's now evident to me that the problem with the two terms pro-life and pro-choice is that people in our society are expected to pick one or the other side. If someone says they are pro-life then they are automatically viewed as a person who can't make their own decisions and would rather let the government make them for them. This is a false accusation because some people feel strongly about their religous beliefs and the way they were raised. For example in the reading Crews tells us how she was raised to be pro-life because of her mothers beliefs. She tells us about the time when she was twelve and she was protesting outside of the local planned parenthood with her mom and fellow activists. She saw a girl walking into the clinic and the activists were shouting at her, Crews said that she'll never forget the look of fear in that girls face. After this experience and the similar one that she went through herself, Crews said that she had a new perspect on these issues. The truth of the matter is that whether a person is pro-life or pro-choice nobody honestly knows what they would do in that situation until they are actually in it themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe term pro-choice is problematic and limiting because these people are viewed as baby killers and that is not how our society should look at it. There are so many different ways to look at it. For example teenage motherhood is no way for a girl to live her life, it's not fair to her or the baby. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with teenage pregnancy because girls make it work every day with the help and support of their family, but there's still so much life left for them to live that it's not really fair to limit themselves at such a young age. Also there's the instance of rape. If a woman is raped that can emotionally damage them and it could lead to them taking it out on the baby or even neglecting it. These situations are different for every persons experience and the way that they choose to handle it. A person should not be judged by others for their own decisons, and they especially shouldn't be judged by those who have never endured a situation as tough as their own. Also a reproductive justice paradigm offers a sort of happy medium between the two terms without the negative outlook the others give. Reproductive justice gives woman a chance to make the choice to get an abortion is they want, but a the same time avoid abortion if their beliefs tell them otherwise.
The term "Repoductive Rights" is becoming more common than pro-life versus pro-choice because it doesn't ask people to pick one side or the other. This term basically gives women the reproductive freedom to make their own choices and the government is required to respect their human rights. Before Roe vs. Wade women weren't given any choices and we have advanced a great deal since then. Women should have open access to health services and clinics like planned parenthood because if not then they are potentially at risk. Reducing contraceptives is a bad idea because this could lead to more sexually transmitted diseases in not only women, but men as well. Also it could lead to more and more unwanted pregnancies, which puts our society at risk. Whether a person is pro-life or pro-choice they should be given reproductive rights by the government to make their own decisions.
Abortion is a huge deal in our society today, and you are either Pro-Life or Pro-choice. This issue is like politics you are either a Democrat or Republican. Futhermore, after reading "And So I Choose", by Allison Crews, it shocked me. Her definiton of pro-Choice was something that I was never taught. She believes that being Pro-Choice you have the right to do anything YOU feel is right for you. For example she says "having the right to nourish and nuture our children at our breasts". She allowed me to see a different side of being Pro-choice. I also saw what made her be Pro-Choice, resulting in her mother drilling things in her head about being Por-Life. I can understand were that would be overwhelming and a bit annoying. I am very Proud of her decision to keep her son and even have a natural birth.
ReplyDeleteBoth Pro-Life and Pro-Choice are problematic because of different reasons. People belonging to Pro-Life are labled automatically that they believe in not aborting a baby. Some also say that it is not morally correct to abort a baby. While the Pro-Choice group are related to activist that think having any type of abortion is ok. And how they do not want the government controling womens bodies, that they have the right to make their own decision. Both believe that each one is wrong in several ways.
In todays society, people are now trying to push the "Reproductive Rights", which allows women to make the right decisions based on what they are feeling. They are trying to turn away from the people either being Pro-Life or Pro-Choice. We talked about this matter in class, about how legislation made a vote to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood. It dosent make sense to me that the Pro-Choice people want to have a fund were it will pay for someone to get an abortion, but they dont want the govenrment to control their bodies. However, in doing this will make a lot of other things that women need for health purposes impossible. There are many things at stake for politicizing womens bodies and reproduction. Many want the right to do what they feel is best or fit for them to do if they do have an unplanned pregnancy. But if people are wanting to have abortions they need to realize that the government will not pay for it. Some examples of the government lowing this fund will result in birth controls, STD test, and even mamagrams for women. I'm not very knowledgeable about the whole issue, but all i know is that something will have to be done for women to keep these things because we need them!
In the story “Beyond Pro-Choice Versus Pro-Life” I remembered reading “The pro-life position maintains that the fetus is a life; hence abortion should be criminalized.” This bothered me because after reading “And So I Choose” I realized that it should not be a considered a crime to decide what is best for you and what will be the best decision for your baby also. What is right for one person my not be right for another someone else. In “And So I Choose” she talks about how women (including herself and her mother) would protest outside the abortion clinic. This definitely limited women's reproductive justice because it made women feel obligated to choose pro-life or pro-choice. In 1973 women could legally have an abortion. Even after legalizing abortion people still looked at it as a bad thing that women should not do. A women has the right to decide for herself what the best choice is and should not have to feel like she is doing something wrong just for choosing what is best for her. Allison Crews says it perfect herself when she talks about how pro-choice means more than just what people think it means. It is having the right to choose so many things.
ReplyDeleteIn the Planned Parenthood Funding article it brings up so many good points arguing that women should be able to have the ability to receive and abortion if certain situations such a woman unintentionally getting pregnant while she had severe health conditions, or if a woman was raped they should be able to terminate the pregnancy at their own discretion. I personally think that voting to cut federal funding for important things like contraceptives, HIV tests, and cancer screenings is an awful idea. These services are so important for women because this is a part of women’s reproductive health. If these things are not federally funded, then lower income families will not have the option to go to in to the doctor for yearly screenings and tests because they will not be able to afford it. This is not fair to women who are in this position. If these women are unable to be regularly go to the doctor, it can cause so many long term problems. Cervical caner is a perfect example. This is a cancer that is very dangerous and can be life threatening if it is not found early. This goes for STDs also because a women could have and STD and not even know. After reading both of the stories and reading both of the articles I feel so strongly about women’s reproductive health. I connected to this personally because being a girl you realize how important going to the doctor is for certain things such as screenings, contraceptives, etc. Its a shame that the republican government wants to cut these federal fundings because I know so many women will be affected by these cuts.
The class discussion we had about reproductive rights helped me understand the problems that women are facing today. I fully understand the issues with pro life and pro choice, but by reading the articles "And So I Choose" by Allison Crews and "Beyond Pro Choice vs Pro Life" I have a clearer understanding for both sides. If you stand for pro choice, there is no way you believe in pro life. Pro choice gives women the right, choices, and options to choose whether or not they want to birth a child. An abortion is a serious issue that 'pro-lifers' believe against. Being pro life, you are giving the government the right to control your body, which no way, shape or form is that right. The choice of an abortion, or birthing a child should be limited to the women and the women only.
ReplyDeleteA person's standpoints on reproduction rights are either pro life or pro choice. Theses beliefs are 'black and white', there is absolutely no grey area in these choices which means you can't stand for both. If one is pro choice, you could automatically considered a person who believes in abortion, which isn't always the complete truth. One who sides with pro choice could believe in that reproductive right due to our 'body rights'. I feel that it is wrong that the government wants to control our bodies and what we do with them. Our body is solely ours and the choice of what we object or accept to/in it should rely on the beholder. I would never let anyone else but myself control my body and I believe that most women could agree with me.
By cutting funding for STD, HIV, cancer screenings and birth control, the government has caused a huge uproar. Women need these to help prevent the spread of diseases, pregnancies and health issues. Reproductive rights show that everyone has their own rights as human beings and should be allowed to do whatever they feel is needed to their bodies. Whether for or against abortions or even pro life, we should be allowed to in contact with funded things that effect our health. Birth control is used by women of all ages and not just to prevent pregnancies. Birth control is used for other issues involving a women's body and honestly should be funded by the government because of it's uses. There should never be an age limit for anything involving sexual health because it can only help America more.
@Samantha Adams
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, especially after reading these passages, that I myself am not sure I could ever endure an abortion but if a friend came to me and asked me for advice on whether they should get one I would never tell them they should'nt or judge them if they do. Before reading these passages I felt very strongly about pro-life, but after reading Allison Crews's essay I feel that you can't honestly choose one or the other until you have personally been through the situation and had to make that choice.
“And So I Choose”, by Allison Crews and “Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life” both provide us with great ideas and terms regarding their take on abortion and what exactly are the terms “pro-choice” and “pro-life”. However as stated from some others before, there were things that were neglected in these articles. Such as our class discussion and the bigger picture of the government’s involvement with a mother’s AND the father’s decision on abortion. Reproductive justice is not only about the arguments of Pro-life and Pro-choice but about the women’s rights as being a pregnant women and a future mother.
ReplyDeleteHow can you be one or the other? When one says that they are pro-life, how is it possible to cross the gray line of “it is only okay if in sex or incense? Who is able to tell the “buts” and the exceptions? However, when one says that they are pro-choice, who is to judge the exceptions under these circumstances? There is no telling who can cross the gray lines but will there always be that gray area? This is how these terms are limiting the larger problems of reproductive rights. These terms develop the problems and limit the rights to our reproductive system because there will never be an agreement, there will always be a gray area, and the government will either always control it or not have enough control.
I think that the reproductive justice and the strive for that doesn’t define a person as pro-choice or pro-life but they are just using the governments help to protect themselves and rights of women. These articles and what is going on through the government concern the topics of planned parenthood, and the use of contraceptions, and as to where they are going to get the money from. However, reproductive justice justice does not define anyone as a pro-life or pro-choice person, it defines them as someone that wants justice on there body and what they are able to do with it regardless if they would do it or not.
In our society everyone is on one complete side of abortion or the other. Since it's like this criticisms are arise and will keep coming up if we need compromise a little with each side. In Allison Crews article she tells how she was brought up pro-life and became pro-choice as she got older. I think this shows that people should be completely informed before deciding on one side or the other. In the article "Beyond pro-choice vs. pro-life" it shows how many people make their decision just based on the womb and not look at the woman as a whole. I think many people need to consider this also.
ReplyDeletePeople that are pro-life simply believe that abortion is against their moral rights. They believe that a fetus is living. One the other hand people that are pro-choice believe a fetus is not yet living until birth. In Crews article she is victimized because she was not able to make her own decision because of her age. Both sides are limiting to woman so really they are more similar than different than many people think.
The legislation made a vote to end federal funding from Planned Parenthood in the article “Planned Parenthood Funding Blocked in House Vote”. I think this could be a bad thing. The government is not only cutting funding from abortions but other things like HIV testing, contraceptives, and cancer screenings. The good thing about Reproductive Justice is that it's the middle ground of pro-life and pro-choice because it cares about the woman's body.
After reading Crews articles i fell that she failed to mention some of the more important things people look at when talking about a mother's decision to do what she does. Although i am not Pro-Choice i feel that the government should get involved in certain ways. To me Reproductive Justice should be more about a woman's well being and that it should be put into consideration more often.
ReplyDeleteI feel that being either pro-life or pro-choice are both problematic in the bigger picture of reproductive rights. The problem with people who are pro-life is that others who are pro choice feel that they want and dont care about the government controlling a woman and her body. And the problem with those who are pro-choice is that the people that are pro life feel that women getting abortions don't taking responsibility for their actions and dont care about killing a baby. In my opinion abortion shouldnt be apart of family planning and The World Health Organization feels that reproductive rights is recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.
@ Everyone- I just don't think that it is fair for anyone to try to control or have a say so about anyone's personal choice. I am not a huge abortion fan but who's to say that something couldn't happen to me in the near future that would possibly make me consider having an abortion. That goes the same for anyone else. Noone knows anybody's situation.
ReplyDelete@ Victoria- It does seem like the government is trying to control private sexual relationships. That should be something kept private and strictly between partners.
@ Alex Mays- I do agree that reproductive rights is the only median to both sides. No matter the side someone seems to find a problem. Instead of giving the government the power to choose, why not give that power to the individuals considering abortion?
"And So I Choose”, by Allison Crews and “Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life” are both great sources to gain better understanding on abortion and also the definition of "pro-choice" and "pro-life" on these readings it describes the all aspects of the opposition to eliminate abortion and support. pro-life maintains that the human fetus or embryo is a person therefore they should have a right. also, it includes people that oppose embryonic stem-cell, which is developed for cloning. In addition, pro-life relies more in the family values. pro-choice is someone who argues for women's reproductive rights.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is up to the person to decide on its reproduction rights on either pro-life or por-choice. There should not be any judgement towards people regarding their choices. Even if you are pro-choice why would you be automatically labeled as someone that supports abortions, which is not true. pro-choice would be better defined as saying one is in control of its reproductive right. It is not ethical for some one else to control your body, and tell you what to do with it. If this is the case then were do you draw the line?
@ Lauren R- I agree with you statement about the funding and how they really need to figure something out for women and their health issues.
ReplyDelete@Tariah Hunt- I see your point, but I have to say that I do not agree with it. You are very right about how people do not know others situations whether it be money or addiction ect. But many people see a baby as almost a negative thing if you are not married. My sister had a baby at 19 and she wasnt married, but that was the best thing that ever happen to her. i think some people just think the worst of situations, but I do see your point. This is only my opinion though :)
@Katie Rissanen-I agree that Reproductive Justice is about a woman's well being not just the argument of pro-life vs. pro-choice.
ReplyDelete@Alex Cadee- I agree that Reproductive rights are the happy median. I think that pro-life and pro-choice are such extremes that reproductive rights is good for being the middle ground.
@Malori Yarchak i agree that people should be completely informed before they make any decision.
ReplyDelete@Mallorie Grissom i also have a friend that had a baby at 19 and definitely made the best of what happened, so I think it depends on the situation
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ReplyDelete@TaylorMcNeil I really agree with what you said, you really made very good points
ReplyDelete@VictoriaArnold I see that me and you are very much so alike as far as our stands on abortions, I do not consider myself pro-life or pro-choice.
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ReplyDeleteIn the essay "And So I Choose" she talks about all the choices that a woman has when she becomes pregnant. Although she gave people a lot of things to think about when deciding what you are going to do when you are pregnant, there are some things that are problematic. Some people say that you are either on one side of abortion or another (pro-life and pro-choice), but I disagree. Even though I don't agree with abortions in most cases, I do believe that there are certain curcumstances.
ReplyDelete"The Reporductive Rights" has been made so that people aren't fully on one side or the other. It gives women the option to do what they feel is right for themselves and their bodies, and the government is legally obligated to protect, respect and fulfill these rights. I personally feel like that is a much better right then just telling someone that its wrong or right to have an abortion.
@Samantha Candee I agree about the gray area you mentioned and how you can't be one way or the other. That is exactly how when people say they are pro-life or pro-choice. I have much more in depth thoughts about those two categories.
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