Abortion has always been one of the most debated topics regardless of how open-minded or moral people consider themselves to be. It’s placing two things we value at opposite ends – a woman’s right to her own body and preserving human life.
I have always and will always support preserving human life. A fetus is a life and abortion is not a solution to an unwanted pregnancy. That being said, I did have a problem with the anti-abortion displays on campus last week.
Whether it’s the right choice or not, having an abortion is still a decision that will ultimately affect the woman and her family and friends.
While those who are educated on the issue know that there are support groups and options for an unwanted pregnancy it is important to acknowledge the fact that not everyone has access to those things. We can’t trust that women will always turn to adoption. To me, an abortion is less cruel than leaving a baby in a dumpster.
Instead of dealing with unwanted pregnancies, we should be dealing with contraception more. Though it is not guaranteed, contraception will at least help decrease the numbers of unwanted pregnancies.
It’s also important to note that some women are raped and is it really fair to force rape victims to give birth to a child that will forever be a memory of that traumatic experience?
Some women who do give birth regret giving their baby up for adoption.
I can imagine the psychological conflict between looking at a reminder of a scarring moment in your life and the moral dilemma of giving up your child. It’s not an easy place to be.
The display on campus really infringed on a woman’s right to her body. I do agree that the woman’s family and partner should have a say in the decision to have an abortion. It takes two to make a child and the family will be affected by the decision on emotional, psychological and physical levels.
To have someone who doesn’t know the circumstances of the situation decide whether a woman should have a baby against her or her family’s will is frustrating. It comes down to freedom of choice and while people who have sex should deal with the consequences I would never force my opinion on someone else. That is exactly why I disliked the displays on campus.
The images were gross and the small warning signs were futile. I recognize that their intention wasn’t to be offensive and that it was done to get people’s attention but forcing people to see images like that is not effective. When someone has to shock me to make me feel a certain way about something the argument loses all credibility.
It may seem like I’m a prude but I have seen those images in classes. I am not against seeing them but usually teachers warn us well ahead of class, not the day of. Some may say, “Well you don’t have to look at them if you don’t want to.” But I beg to differ.
The area right across from the MLSC and HSCI building is part of the shortest route many students take to get to class. I shouldn’t have to take a longer way to avoid these images. A fair warning would have been sending an email or putting a more detailed warning sign near the entrance to campus, not two steps from the actual display.
The only thing I suggest to the group that put up this display is that they become more aware that some students are sensitive and simply do not want to be forced to look at these images.
Nayeli Carillo is a senior journalism major and a contributing writer for the Daily 49er.
i definitely agree with you. i mean it is hard to look at. i am woman who is christian. i am pro life personally but politically pro choice because i think that more people would put themselves in danger if abortion was illegalized by still getting abortions but they would be more dangerous. i mean there is the argument that doctors would still perform the procedure but i dont know any doctor that would be willing to go to school for 10 years and risk their license by performing one operation. i definitely think it is a contraceptive issue. i think more people should be using them. however for some people it goes against their religion or their personal beliefs. for these people i think that they should just be abstinent. after all when you have sex you are ultimately agreeing to the risk of becoming pregnant.
personally i think that people who are so adamantly against abortion should look at the woman’s story and life situation. i mean who are we to tell someone what to do with their life and their body? yes i am pro life for myself and i would try to talk people out of getting an abortion but i wouldnt force them to make that decision. ultimately the woman has her right to make that choice. not only are those pictures hard to look at but im sure they are also very emotional for some people. i think that the pro life people should spread awareness another way. after all, spreading awareness doesnt have to involve gorey pictures.