That many people believe they are pro choice but are not

[winterstail]

My understanding of pro choice is that you support a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy.

Many people claim to be pro choice but then express shock at the reason a woman chooses to terminate.

This isn't pro choice then, is it?

No it isn’t. In my case I am only accepting of unconditional medical termination up to 20 weeks ,unless there is a strong medical reason involving the survival of mother or child. To me the ‘choice’ is only total if there is no possibility at all of a viable birth.
I know most of you will disagree and I wouldn’t comment on anyone else’s decision but I would be very sad and disappointed if my own dd or now a dgd had a late abortion.

I have always been pro choice.

But since I had children, I know that it is probably not a choice I'd now be able to make. And I find the idea of terminating a pregnancy very upsetting. I wouldn't have said that before I became a mother.

However, the idea of a woman being forced or obliged to carry to term a baby that she doesn't want or can't viably have, is also upsetting. So despite the fact that it's something I could never do, I will always support a woman's right to choose what happens to her body.

'Pro choice' covers a wide range of view points though from wanting no limits on abortion to accepting abortion but only if certain criteria are met.
Some people accept the necessity of providing safe legal abortion but think it should only be used as absolute last resort in extreme circumstances.
For what it's worth I agree with you and think if it's morally ok to terminate a pregnancy then it doesn't actually matter what the reasons are.
Doesn't mean that people who disagree with me are necessarily pro-life though.

Im pro choice but feel that with today's technology 24 weeks is possibly a viable baby so think the limit should be lowered to say 20 weeks for a non medical reason, but would never judge anyone for making the decision to terminate, but when at 17 years old i found myself pregnant i made the choice to have my son, it never crossed my mind to terminate

Why does it have to be black and white? What’s wrong with having complicated feelings on the subject and being pro-choice but with limits?

I think when it's abstract and general then it's easier to be objective and pro-choice. However when it's about an individual it becomes a lot more subjective. Would you make the same decision in those circumstances?
It's not great but I'll admit to judging when I was younger, I had a friend who had three abortions in a year due to not using contraception. In theory I'm pro choice but in that situation I felt totally frustrated and annoyed and judgey.

So many people saying "I am pro choice but" which doesn't fit with my idea of pro choice at all.

"Many people claim to be pro choice but then express shock at the reason a woman chooses to terminate"

I think it will need something more persuasive than that piece of "evidence" above to make interesting grounds for a debate.

But Pro-choice means different things to different people. It doesn't mean that because they don't fit your definition they are against a woman's right to choose at all, ever.

We had to terminate a pregnancy (for the sake of the baby)

It was the worst day of my life. And it will continue to be until I die.

I have just had a facebook ad come up on my feed for the pro-life Ireland campaign and I told them to FUCK OFF MY FEED.

I hate them with a passion I have no words to describe.

I also hate stupid people who use termination as birth control. That is equally unforgivable (and I'm not talking about people who fall pregnant my mistake - people who laugh about being careless like it's cool)

leaving the thread with blood boiling

And also, I meant to put in my post, since becoming a mother I've actually revised my position on reasons for termination.

Before I had children I would've said that a woman should be able to terminate a pregnancy when she wants (up to 24 weeks), for whatever reason.

I don't think that now. I think that late term abortions really ought only to be for pregnancies that are incompatible with the life of either the foetus or the mother. And I think that with most late term abortions, that's largely the case anyway isn't it?

I admit I would be shocked and find it upsetting if I knew someone terminated a pregnancy beyond 12 weeks for a reason other than a medical one. But I know that me feeling that way does not comport with the concept of pro choice.

I have always been pro choice. As I had my own children, my pro life position actually got stronger (and it was already pretty solid). I've never had a termination, but I would have if serious genetic problems had been discovered with any of my children.

No one should have a baby if they don't want a baby. It is a massive commitment, and it most affects a woman's life and body. It is not for someone who isn't fully committed.

I think terminations should be allowed through the first two trimesters, without question. Amnio, CVS and 20 week scans (which are sometimes after 20 weeks) often pick up serious problems, and women should be allowed to make termination decision based on the information received and then schedule the procedures.

It's a decision that is no one's business outside the expectant mother, her partner and doctor, and she should have the final say. No one outside of that circle should have a say and if they truly love their daughter/nice/granddaughter/friend, then they should support them in what is surely a difficult, traumatic decision in many cases, not condemn them or express disappointment. If they can't, they shouldn't say anything

It's not a black and white option. I'm pro-life "but".

There are very few people who would say a woman should be allowed a termination for whatever reason until the end of her pregnancy. Equally there are few people who would insist a woman continue a pregnancy despite risks to hee own life.

I don't think it's up to you to decide what pro-choice means.

Being pro-choice doesn’t mean you stop having empathy though.

For example, a woman wants to terminate an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy but her partner/ex-partner/bang-buddy doesn’t. I utterly support the woman’s right to a termination, while still appreciating the man may be upset (possibly heartbroken) about it. The fact that I could feel upset for the man if they were a friend/relative doesn’t make me stop being pro-choice.

Most people are Pro-choice to a point. Very few support abortion to term. They are still pro-choice.

Why do people want to police other people's opinions?
I would never have an abortion, personally, so you could say I'm anti abortion.
On the other hand, I do agree that a woman should have the right to choose. I would never say abortion should be illegal.
I feel that there has to be some sort of cut off point though. I find the idea of a late abortion abhorrent, and I would judge someone who chose a late abortion for non-medical reasons.
Fine if you don't want to continue with a pregnancy, but take responsibility and sort it early.
Not all opinions on this fit neatly into one of two categories.

It's perfectly possible to be pro-choice while still disapproving of the choice made. Pro-choice means you support the woman's right to choose. It doesn't mean you have to like the choice she makes.

My mother is pro-choice but anti-abortion in all but very limited circumstances. However, she believes a woman, in conjunction with her doctor, is the only person who can make that choice.

I'm not pro 'choice'. I'm pro 'required for medical reasons' or 'this kid will grow up neglected/abused/poverty - choice' or 'result of rape'.

What I am not, is pro abortion for 'accidents' (which is basically a cop out for poor birth control and choices) or lifestyle reasons like 'not being ready yet'. Which is all basically after the fact birth control/family planning.

I am Pro - 'Don't be a dickhead and have sex if you don't want to handle the possible consequences'.

Sex is fun, it's amazing, it's sweet, kind, filthy, naughty, kinky whatever you want it to be. But it is there for a reason and it's all of the above to make you want to do it so you do procreate.

Pro choice upto 12 weeks. Then only for medical reasons upto 20 weeks.
24 week limit is too high imo.

Agree, agree, agree and I hate it.
When people say, "I'm pro choice but".
No, the but ends the pro choice.

So many people saying "I am pro choice but" which doesn't fit with my idea of pro choice at all.

So do I have to agree to termination for any reason up to 40 weeks to be pro choice?

Pro choice doesn’t come with stipulations. It literally does mean pro the woman’s choice. So many people claim to be pro choice yet say “I am except for -“ no, you are not pro choice.

Late stage abortions are almost exclusively for medical reasons. If people think that late term abortions are frequently had by those who just don’t want a baby, then they don’t understand the reality of the process or the statistics.

The "but" only ends the "pro choice" if it would stop the choice. There are all sorts of areas in which you might think other people should have the right to do things you personally think are wrong.

I guess It's possible to be personally anti abortion but pro choice.