Is it appropriate for a university to give out pro-life leaflets

[StealthPolarBear]

I genuinely don't know. Was a bit disappointed

Bertrand I brought one back. Will have a look to see how factual it is

Not a freshers fair, just near the information point in the sort of reception area. Didn't look too hard at other leaflets but I imagine they were the usual debt/counselling type of things

In that case I agree it shouldn't have been there - but again think it's much more likely that an individual put them there than that a university employee did so in an officially sanctioned way. If this is your university, and so somewhere you're likely to go back to in the next few days, I'd complain - I bet they'll take them away.

Does the leaflet include details of the organisation who made it? Is it a student group, or an outside one?

It's society for the protection of the unborn chilf

"It's society for the protection of the unborn chilf"

Ah. They have form for leaving their ghastly propaganda around the place. Can you go back tomorrow, collect them up and bin them?

Of course it's okay.

Does the university have a pro life “club”? I vaguely remember something along those lines being mentioned when I started university a few years ago. I never investigated it though.

No idea donny. What a horrible idea!

I’d have taken the leaflets over to the student wellbeing team and asked them if they knew they were there, I think.

OTOH, I know of some university lecturers who teach overtly pro-life material. I have serious issues with the stance they take (which is: abortion is always wrong, not here are the different sides of the debate and you should make your own mind up), particularly as it’s almost certain that some of the students who have to take the compulsory module will be affected by abortion and shouldn’t be subjected to moralistic and judgemental teaching.

Clearly opinion is divided though and I was worried I'd be making a fuss inappropriaty. Plus I don't know where student wellbeing is!

I don't think there is necessarily any problem with having pro life leaflets. Depends exactly what they say, but it's no different to eg. The vegetarians putting out some leaflets. Students are adults who know (or should do) that other people hold different views. There is nothing inherently wrong with holding a pro life view.

Of course its different! When framed as an advice leaflet for a young woman with an unplanned pregnancy.
It's not suggesting you go vegan.

“Depends exactly what they say, but it's no different to eg. The vegetarians putting out some leaflets.”

Yes it is. Especially SPUC leaflets just being left to look like information leaflets. Absolutely outrageous.

Here

I suppose it would depend if I thought the Uni was engaging in anti-abortion practices or persuasion. They are entitled to I suppose but I would be taking my custom (and it is custom these days) elsewhere if they were.

However leaflets on a table... Not sure. Students ought to be thinking critically after all.

However as a duty of care I'd expect the university to provide a balanced view
Didn't look too hard at other leaflets but I imagine they were the usual debt/counselling type of things

So you didn't look to hard at the other leaflets to see if they provided a balanced view or not?

Thanks mook that's helpful. I have no problem with expecting students to think critically but I'd be worried about this being picked up by someone who's unexpectedly pregnant and stressed. At that point they might not be thinking critically or they might not be a good enough student!

No mum I didn't. This one caught my eye and I'm asking the question

I'd be worried about this being picked up by someone who's unexpectedly pregnant

Yes they should only be provided with pro-abortion literature

I have no other reason to believe the university is promoting the anti abortion agenda. Though I have little to do with the university on the whole.

Pro choice.
I've already made that point once.
Si much for critical thinking!

No mum I didn't. This one caught my eye and I'm asking the question

How will asking here inform you if the university has a balanced view or not?

I agree it's different - but, actually, I also don't think it's appropriate to have the vegetarian society leaflets out in the situation you're describing either. They should either be official university literature (or from carefully vetted outside organisations, eg. it would be fine to have a leaflet from the Samaritans) or it should be a dedicated and labelled 'student society' table.

If it's near the reception area, you could complain to them. Alternatively, as Bertrand said, just grab them and bin them!

I think an information leaflet sitting on a standor table is fine it was probably sat along side other information services just because it was pro life I don't think it should be banned or censored.

As a leaflet available to women who have unexpected or unwanted pregnancies I'd hope each individual leaflet was balanced and evidence based. You can't rely on it being seen in context, it's designed to be picked up and taken away.. Not explain ing very clearly but does that make sense

Only if they also had pro choice leaflets too.