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Original poster

Can anyone recall any storyline in film / TV where a woman decides to have an abortion......

85 replies

Greythorne · 19/09/2012 21:53

without:

A) changing her mind at the clinic doors as "she just can't do that"

B) receiving some (medically unlikely but dramatically "satisfactory") kind of divine retribution like infertility as a consequence?

I can't. And yet thousands of women make the decision to have an abortion every year and it is absolutely the right decision and they do not regret it.

OP posts:
Devora · 19/09/2012 22:05

Despite the fact that 1 in 3 women have an abortion, there is still this curious thing that it is only acceptable if the woman (a) has no real choice but to do it, (b) finds it terribly distressing, (c) grieves for years afterwards. Research tells us that safe legal abortion is actually psychologically beneficial for most women - certainly compared to the alternative - and most women don't suffer terribly grief and guilt. (I'm not denying that some do - I really struggled afterwards.)

I used to work in abortion clinics and was very struck by how the women coming in would nearly all say the same kind of things: that they didn't believe in abortion, but they had no real choice because they were too young/still at college/not in a stable relationship/didn't have a proper house/were tired and busy with the other children, that in any case they were using a condom but it broke... I'm not judging those women, I understand completely why they say that stuff, but of course they weren't truly anti-abortion, most of them DID have a choice, it is highly unlikely that condoms break at anything like the rate they collectively claimed. But they knew, acutely, that our society doesn't allow women to have guilt-free abortions.

funnypeculiar · 19/09/2012 22:04

I think Silk is hugely atypical of women on TV though - I think your basic point absolutely stands... Actually, I think generally abortion is just ignored/avoided as an issue

lighthousekeeping · 19/09/2012 22:03

There was a film afew years back about four women from different generations having abortions. Cher was in it. I cant remember the name.

funnypeculiar · 19/09/2012 22:02

Only thing I can google on Martha (the fabulous, fabulous, Martine Peake) is that she finds out she's pregnant, and books an abortion. Happens early in series, she continues to be a very impressive, cool barrister and kick Richard P-J's arse.

nailak · 19/09/2012 22:01

lucy in eastenders

tabulahrasa · 19/09/2012 22:01

Christina in grey's anatomy - though her husband did sleep with someone else, that's not divine retribution though?

Original poster
Greythorne · 19/09/2012 22:00

Haven't seen Dirty Dancing. But have seen Silk and don't remember that. But I do remember it as a hugely unconventional film for women's roles. Must take another look.

OP posts:
LadyWidmerpool · 19/09/2012 21:59

Michelle in EastEnders? I don't remember it very well. Lofty was very cross but I wouldn't call that divine retribution!

RandallPinkFloyd · 19/09/2012 21:59

Dirty Dancing. Crappy back-street abortionist but all works out ok in the end. They make a point of her saying she can still have children.

Doesn't regret it, right decision all round.

funnypeculiar · 19/09/2012 21:56

Martha in Silk (I think...?)