I know what I am getting myself into but I believe with all of the anti abortion posts going around that I need to say why I am for pro choice. It is foolish to say that anyone would use abortion as a form of birth control. There is a lot of emotional pain connected with an abortion and no one would willingly inflict that on themselves. The reasons are:

l. To save the Mother's life.

2. When circumstances, either financial or due to a failing marriage dictate that abortion is the practical choice.

3. When the fetus is found to be so defective that it can have no quality of life.

Partial birth abortions and abortions after the first trimester should not take place if at all avoidable.

Way back in the early fifties, I had a therapeutic abortion because I was bleeding to death. At that time, three physicians were required to sign off on it and my Dr. wasted no time getting that done. Would it be better to let my daughter grow up motherless?

My daughter has a severely autistic child with a heart defect. That child has impacted the whole family in a negative way. It has sucked the life out of my poor daughter. Mothers love the one who needs you most, the best. She was advised to get an abortion and did not. The lives of her other children are forever changed. He is l7 years old and still in diapers and so strong that he is dangerous.

A collection of cells is not a baby. I am sure a lot of people will not agree with me. My life experiences have shaped my views and I am passionate about a woman's right to choose.

Surely carrying a child for nine months and then giving birth which is an extremely painful process gives women the deciding vote.

Comments:

Having carried to term a child of child sexual abuse, and having given that daughter away to someone else on her third day of life when I was sixteen, I feel the need to say that any woman who is pregnant and does not want to be pregnant FOR ANY REASON should have the right to choose what goes on inside her body. If she wants to abort, that's not a pleasant experience, but it beats hell out of being pregnant as a child, and anyone who has given birth can tell you it isn't something they would choose for their daughter. If men got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament! Thanks for defending the right to choose. Blessed Be.

Pro-choice all the way,great post.Laurie

Way to stick up for your beliefs. I'm with you and the other good commenters.

Jeri, when I read your article, I thought I would be on the minority side here. I'm glad to see I'm not. I have fairly strong views on this and I agree with you, James, and so many of the others who posted in your space. There are so many factors to consider... I do agree that it should NEVER be used as birth control, but there are circumstances. You did a good job in listing them.

comment by sunlight on July 1, 2008 12:41 PM ()

It would be the hardest decision in the world.

reply by sunlight on July 1, 2008 1:22 PM ()

There are lots of circumstances to consider when such a hard decision has to be made. I hope none of my friends have to make it.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 12:57 PM ()

Very good

comment by shesaidwhat on July 1, 2008 7:38 AM ()

Pro choice means having the right to choose.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 7:49 AM ()

I don't know if I agree with everything you say, but some of it yes. You are definitely entitled to your opinion. I just know that in my case I had to perfect opportunity to have an abortion and didn't -- and I got my younger son. I wouldn't have missed that for anything on earth

i agree with you and will say more later

comment by mmmhollywould on June 30, 2008 9:36 PM ()

Thanks.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 7:51 AM ()

Girl, I couldn't agree more... especially with the cells comment. TOTALLY!
I am surprised at how much we agree on. I never knew!

comment by kristilyn3 on June 30, 2008 6:40 PM ()

We agree on alot, especially humane treatment for all animals!

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 7:53 AM ()

I hope for your daughter's sake that her autistic son is not living at home anymore. Of course that's easy for me to say, but it sounds like too much for one person to handle. On the other hand, not all autistic children are like your grandson. As eky said, pro-choice is not pro-abortion. After all, every child born since abortion became legal in this country, is the result of a mother's choice. Thought provoking post, Jeri. Good job!

comment by catdancer on June 30, 2008 4:52 PM ()

Karen, my daughter still cares for him at home and she has become an old woman before her time. He is her best loved child and has become her whole reason for living. She is director of United Cerebral Palsy in Tulsa and has disabled children all day at work. The family has not had a vacation for l7 years.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 7:56 AM ()

Ditto, ditto James' comment. Every woman must have the right to make that call herself. My beliefs cannot dictate someone else's choices in life, and no one else's beliefs should limit mine. Now, extend that philosophy across the entire population. I am so sorry you went through what you did. What a painful decision to have to make.

comment by dragonflyby on June 30, 2008 4:48 PM ()

I am constantly amazed that there is a segment of the population that thinks there is nothing wrong with the war in Iraq and still wants to meddle in a person's life. America is all about the right to choose.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 7:59 AM ()

Excellent post!

comment by nittineedles on June 30, 2008 4:25 PM ()

Thanks a bunch.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 8:00 AM ()

comment by greatmartin on June 30, 2008 4:15 PM ()

It should be a thoughtful decision for both parties.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 8:02 AM ()

will stay out of this.Who needs it.Let them battle it out.
I have other things here.

comment by fredo on June 30, 2008 4:00 PM ()

Fredo, you are such a doll!

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 8:03 AM ()

comment by jjoohhnn on June 30, 2008 3:36 PM ()

Personal decisions are too often made by the Government. The furor over gay marriage is a case in point. We should all have power over our lives and decision making.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 8:05 AM ()

amen.

reply by kristilyn3 on June 30, 2008 6:42 PM ()

I like controversial posts. I think too many equate "pro-choice" with "pro-abortion" and they are not. What gets me, is why is the "pro-life" crowd and politicians also anti-education in regards to preventing pregnancy? I mean if you REALLY want less abortions, lets make stronger penalties for those who commit incest and rape, lets educate people on the ways to prevent pregnancy and STDs, and lets make adoption easier.

comment by ekyprogressive on June 30, 2008 3:27 PM ()

You are right about absolutely every point. There are many children languishing in foster homes that could bring someone joy. An unwanted child too often becomes an abused child.

reply by elderjane on July 1, 2008 8:08 AM ()