abortion and contradictions

[niyad]

Abortions and Contradictions
by Christopher Brauchli

bq.If men could get pregnant abortion would be a sacrament.
— Gloria Steinem, The Verbal Karate of Florynce R. Kennedy, Esq.

Here’s how it works. People who do not oppose abortion are in favor of steps that can be taken to avoid unwanted pregnancies so that there will be fewer abortions. People who oppose abortions oppose the steps that can be taken to reduce unwanted pregnancies. Some people who oppose abortions think doctors perform abortions on women who aren’t pregnant. It is confusing but it is hoped that this column will help readers understand how it all works.photo: Peace Education Center

Contraception enables a woman who wants to have sex (as the vernacular has it), but not a baby, to do so. The Catholic Church and similar luddites think a woman should do nothing to avoid becoming pregnant except rely on her bodily cycles to decide when to enjoy sex. The Catholic Church makes its wishes known through men who can enjoy sex whenever they want, even with children, without fear of any consequences.

A study was recently concluded that demonstrates that if contraception is widely available there will be fewer unwanted pregnancies. The study was conducted from 2007 to 2011 and its results were published in Obstetrics and Gynecology. The participants were between the ages of 14 and 45. The researchers discovered that when cost was not a factor (since the various methods of contraception were provided to the study participants free of charge) the participants chose those methods that were most likely to be successful such as implants and IUDs. The study found there was a teen birth rate of 6.3 per thousand among participants in the study compared with a teen birth rate of 34.3 per thousand nationwide. Annual abortion rates ranged from 4.4 to 7.5 per thousand women in the study compared with 19.6 per thousand nationwide. Megan Kavanaugh, one of the researchers said: “These findings really show promise for what could happen on a national level” with a combination of free birth control and promotion of the most effective methods.”

On the date the regulations mandating insurance companies to cover, among other things, DEA-approved contraception, became effective, Jeff Fortenberry (R.NE) joined colleagues in a ceremony to mark what he called: “The day Religious Freedom Died. ” He could also have named it “The day the number of unwanted pregnancies (and resulting abortions) was reduced.” Explaining the reason for the demonstration he said (without using quite these words) that for the government to take away the right of men to decide what women may do with their bodies, including the right to not become pregnant but nonetheless enjoy the same right to enjoy sex that men have, “violates a deeply held traditional principle of the rights of conscience and liberty in our country.” He was probably thinking of the Puritans. Jeff was joining the Catholic Church and its allies who have filed lawsuits to ask the courts to invalidate those regulations that require them to offer such coverage to their employees. Opponents of reducing unwanted pregnancies have lots of tools in their arsenals. In addition to attacking the Health Care Act in court, legislators, cities, and states have found another line of attack. Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the most recent example.

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http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/10/13

[niyad]

1. . . .

[niyad]

2. . . .

[gollygee]

3. It seems so obvious

If contraception were free and easily available, more women would use it. If more women use contraception, fewer women have unintended pregnancies. If there are fewer unintended pregnancies, there are fewer abortions. Therefore, free and easily available contraception = fewer abortions.

But the "pro-life" movement has nothing to do with life, and abortion is only secondary. The primary goal is to control women's bodies. Allowing women easy access to contraception means allowing women control over their bodies. It is more important to them to keep women from controlling their own bodies than it is to reduce the number of abortions performed.

[niyad]

4. I have never understood why this is so hard for so many to understand.

as I have maintained for many decades, EVERY anti-choice argument demonstrates, at its heart, a profound hatred for women. every single argument says that some one or some thing--be it the fertilized egg, the sperm donor, the church, or the state, is more important than the woman.