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To think that just because I'm pro-life doesn't mean I hate feminism?

812 replies

TinkerSailerSoldierSpy · 18/05/2013 12:38

Friend and I were having a discussion, I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and it was a bit of an inconvenient surprise, considering I've started a new job just 2 months ago.I mentioned that it wasn't going to look good, me taking maternity leave after not even being there for a year, and she suggested perhaps considering there was no dad on the scene and my new job, I should terminate. I felt a bit uncomfortable but told her that I could never do that as I'm pro life and view it as killing a child. She then proceeded to stare at me like I had an extra head and ask me why in a shocked voice. I explained my reasons and views and we got into an arguement about it, the usual stuff, what about in cases of rape and if the woman's not financially able to support the child, to which I countered but is it right for a woman to get an abortion just because she wants to continue a party lifestyle? And she stormed out the house shouting that I was misogynistic and women have the right to their own bodies. Let me be clear, I certainly would never stop anyone from making their decision about an abortion, I just can't seem to get over the idea of it, it repulses me. But I wouldn't judge a woman who got one. I understand the other viewpoint but I can't agree with it myself, and in all other respects I would say i was very liberal about womans rights. When I mentioned it to other friend she said it was my views but they were quite outdated and misogynistic. Are they? I need advice, should I apologize to friend A?

OP posts:
ComposHat · 18/05/2013 13:20

Saying 'I could personally never have an abortion, but support the right of others to chose what to do with their own bodies' is absolutely fine and in my view compatible with feminism.

I can't help but think that you were making moral judgements about people who had abortions - 'continue their party lifestyles' smacks of a moral judgement and reeks of misogyny.

Also, don't hide behind 'pro-life' you are anti-abortion.

barebranches · 18/05/2013 13:21

yes i am anti abortion. deal with it.

KobayashiMaru · 18/05/2013 13:22

You might not hate feminism but you aren't a feminist. And you are judgemental and rude.

Sparhawk · 18/05/2013 13:22

Agreed Compos.

VisualiseAHorse · 18/05/2013 13:22

Actually, yes, it is ok for a women to abort because she wants to continue her 'party lifestyle'. What's wrong with that?

garlicgrump · 18/05/2013 13:22

You cannot be a feminist if you presume to dictate what another woman may do with stuff that's happening to her body.

A feminist would never force an abortion on you. You're not entitled to force pregnancy, birth and parenting on any other woman.

Your remarks about 'party lifestyle' and 'can't be arsed to be a mother' are distinctly anti-women.

Personally, I feel your choosing to take maternity leave only 2 months into a new job is anti-feminist. But I'm not Xenia (at all!) and do not wish to pursue that argument here. I'm just mentioning it because you seem to be a classic example of an anti-feminist woman taking the piss out of everything feminism has gained for her, as a woman.

StealthOfficialCrispTester · 18/05/2013 13:22

Don't need to deal with it. Hopefully our paths will never cross.

WorraLiberty · 18/05/2013 13:23

Better enjoy your sex life while it lasts barebranches

And with your way of thinking, it won't last long.

WoTmania · 18/05/2013 13:23

'however easy access to an abortion for a woman who just can't be arsed to be a mother bothered me.'

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 18/05/2013 13:23

Suppose, OP, you go to a scan at 21 weeks or so and they find your baby has a condition incompatible with life, and the doctors advise you to terminate, what then?

claraschu · 18/05/2013 13:24

I am very very pro-choice.

If you believe that abortion is the equivalent of murdering a child, how can you make any exceptions under any circumstances?

If a 12 year old is raped by her father and gets pregnant, a person who thinks abortion=murder would still believe that the 12 year old should have the baby rather than take the morning after pill, because a fertilised egg=a baby.

If you can make an exception for incestuous rape, then you don't actually believe that abortion=murder, so you should accept abortion under other circumstances too.

Sparhawk · 18/05/2013 13:26

claraschu unfortunately there are plenty of deaths worldwide of children as young as 12 who've been forced to remain pregnant against their will. Sad

BabyMakesTheBoobiesGoLeaky · 18/05/2013 13:26

bare branches Why don't you and antiabortionists like you just stay out of other women's uteruses.

MidniteScribbler · 18/05/2013 13:26

claraschu, I personally believe life begins at conception. I also believe that what others choose to believe is not my decision to make.

ComposHat · 18/05/2013 13:28

Yes, the OP seems to think that things like maternity rights and equal pay were benevolently handed down by employers out of the goodness of their heart.

These things were fought for by women and men, despite opposition from employers and elements of the establishment.

barebranches You also seem to be anti-thought and anti-feeling as well.

garlicgrump · 18/05/2013 13:28

I know I said I wouldn't pursue it, but ... "I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and it was a bit of an inconvenient surprise, considering I've started a new job just 2 months ago"

Not all that much of a surprise, then ... Hmm

BabyMakesTheBoobiesGoLeaky · 18/05/2013 13:29

Freddie if the OP were in Ireland she would just be expected to carry on with the pregnancy.

garlicgrump · 18/05/2013 13:30

YY, Compos, and feminists managed to achieve all that while living a party lifestyle and having sex for fun! Shocking Grin

FreddieMisaGREATshag · 18/05/2013 13:30

Baby I know. I'm in Northern Ireland. Which tbh isn't much better.

VisualiseAHorse · 18/05/2013 13:31

OP, does the thought of a woman who was raped being forced to give birth to a child she never wanted repulse you?

barebranches · 18/05/2013 13:32

nope. just feel strongly about people that do things with out considering their actions.

i didnt mean people to not have sex. i meant that some women have sex then are shocked when they get preg... eh thats what sex is for....!!

no one even mentioned my adoption comment... may be it rings true for some of you.

Wishiwasanheiress · 18/05/2013 13:32

It's an argument. Therefore it at minimum consists of two sides. Personally I'm pro-abortion. I also see many of the arguments made for the life side. I consider women of both sides to be feminists.

The only reason I'm pro and will never be moved on that is simple; I want medical advances to be applicable to this subject. I never want back street to be the only option. By removing ability to choose to have an abortion means it will be removed from all medical improvements and considerations. I couldn't in conscience allow that. I can therefore not support the life argument.

Ashoething · 18/05/2013 13:32

Abortion is not something that can be discussed rationally on mn. As soon as you mention you may not be 100% comfortable with it you are accused of being a hater of women.And yes I do know women who have had repeat terminations because they are lax/don't use contraception.

Before anyone starts frothing at me-I have had an abortion. Your friend was inconsiderate mentioning abortion to you at such a late stage of pregnancy-its not a bunch of cells at 18 weeks. But you were also out of order with your comments. Perhaps apologies are due on both sides?

BabyMakesTheBoobiesGoLeaky · 18/05/2013 13:33

Look at Ireland for the anti-abortion utopia.Hmm

Look at Savita. Look at the millions of women who have travelled.

CloudsAndTrees · 18/05/2013 13:33

YANBU.

Being pro life does not equal misogyny, but you aren't allowed to be pro life on MN. That's the rule.

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