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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminists shouldn't try to stifle debate about abortion

91 replies

Bennifer · 26/05/2011 09:41

I don't know whether this has already been posted, but there's a Deborah Orr article in the guardian that some of you might find interesting

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/26/feminists-shouldnt-stifle-abortion-debate?CMP=twt_gu

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 11:00

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ElephantsAndMiasmas · 26/05/2011 11:00

"In fact, it's quite understandable that people should be horrified by the idea of foetuses being terminated" - is it? Some animals can miscarry on purpose, we can't, does that make rabbits etc "horrifying"?

slug · 26/05/2011 10:56

To be totally honest, apart from the fact that I take issue with the term "pro-life" when really what is meant is "anti-choice", I have a real problem with men in the argument. Since they do not get pregnant and can therefore have no idea of the very visceral feelings that accompany a pregnancy wanted or not. Nort can they understand the conflicting pressures that society puts on women, much less pregnant ones.

Whenever a man starts pontificating on feckless pregnant women and how life is sacred, I just want to tell them to but out. So sue me.

ChristinedePizan · 26/05/2011 10:45

and a free ...

ChristinedePizan · 26/05/2011 10:45

Good work on this thread SAF. Sorry, got to post and run but wanted to add that every teenage mum I know has been shoved into a hostel for teenage mums, not given a gorgeous council home a free Sky subscription.

swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 10:36

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 10:28

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 10:20

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 10:14

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 10:11

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 10:03

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swallowedAfly · 26/05/2011 09:59

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RunnerHasbeen · 26/05/2011 09:58

I don't think it is a case of different ideologies competing as she suggests, but about the government doing something that completely contradicts the evidence base - the outcome of which is one that feminists may feel is important (women having control of their reproduction and reduction in unplanned pregnancy). It seems a mad things to do just as things were starting to improve. I would be more worried about their condom messages, for example and do think in general that people on panels should prove they can understand and listen to real evidence in their field, not cherry pick in a dangerous way.

"You cannot call yourself 'pro-choice' and then bar people who disagree with you from expressing their view" - it is the form the expression takes that people object to, trying to control the government and harassing women at clinics. The pro-choice group do not try to enforce an opinion on others, so can't see a contradiction in her sentence beyond semantics. I also think people who expect the "pro-life" group to be as respectful to other groups are misguided - to them this will not be a chance to discuss things rationally but proof that they were right all along. We have seen this take off in America, so it seems sensible to be at least wary of the movement here.

HerBeX · 26/05/2011 09:53

I didn't get past "I'm struggling to understand quite why it is so terrible that the anti-abortion charity, Life, has been invited to join a government- advisory sexual health forum"

If she's really struggling to understand why an organisation that stands for denying women sovereignty over their own bodies, sitting on a government advisory forum, is a BAD THING, then she's a bit thick frankly.

But I will try and read the rest of the articel when I get time. She's usually quite good.

TheProvincialLady · 26/05/2011 09:49

I read that this morning and I agree with her to some extent. I am someone who finds abortion abhorrent but would defend anyone's right to have one. I see her argument about suppressing debate, but on the other hand I don't think we would want to see the BNP and other extremist political groups on every government committee just to maintain 'balance.' The anti abortion debate has already been lost - abortion is legal, and so it should be.

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 26/05/2011 09:43

I have to say that I do struggle as someone who doesn't believe in the right to choose an abortion, and someone who believes in feminism. I don't see why the two factions have to be mutually exclusive, but there are many who think that is the case.

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