Irish referendum - abortion - should men vote?

[Schtinkay]

Fabulous news. Finally a referendum in Ireland to decriminalise abortion. About bloody time.

But should men be allowed to vote on an issue that is about controlling rights, freedoms and bodies of women?

I don't think so. Very interested in thoughts.

"Of course men should be able to vote men can be deeply affected by abortion."
How do you think men should be involved in the decision for a woman to have an abortion or not?

The amazing thing is that we speak the same language and everything but still people are apparently unable to read what we're saying.

See this is why written constitutions are a bad idea.

I thought opinions were part of discussing issues but okay

Informed opinions are. But where you don't have any understanding of the issues your opinion is not useful or relevant. And can be insulting when you are giving it to people who both understand and are directly affected by the issues.

bertrandrussell because a man might be supporting his partner/trying to be her voice in a very difficult situation. Because he is her partner and wants to help her. Because no it's not his body but it does affect him. Abortion is a human rights issue whether you're pro-life or pro-choice and men were humans last time I checked.

BertrandRussell because it's not just a women's body is it. There is also s childs life at stake and in some cases the reasons for and abortion are less than honourable. It's also a child's body and then when should a man be involved? Or maybe you believe that men are useless and have no place in a child's life only the mother matters?

Bloody hell, leia, that's just going to get you a mouthful of abuse.

reasons for and abortion are less than honourable.

Such as?

I do think men should be able to vote in this badly needed referendum.

Women's rights over their bodies shouldn't be put to referendum like this anyway
**
But it is and we can't change the past but we can change the future.

I understand it is a woman's body but I thought we were striving for equality.

Like others my heart would say no they shouldn't vote but my head says men should be allowed.

I don't know the story behind this referendum but this coupled with the gay marriage one seem so fucking spineless. It seems much more a case of politicians wanting to avoid taking any responsibility rather than actually giving people a choice.

Well after the Frank admission that you don't know what you're talking about, that's a brave statement.

Who's Frank?

I don't know the story behind this referendum but this coupled with the gay marriage one seem so fucking spineless. It seems much more a case of politicians wanting to avoid taking any responsibility rather than actually giving people a choice

Another one! "I don't know thing one about this issue but I'm going to tell you all what I think about it anyway".

Could you bloody STOP?

I imagine miffer meant why couldn't the politicians do their job and legislate. I'm Irish so I understand about the constitution but many people outside Ireland don't.

leia Are there good, bad and not a good enough reason abortions? Wow who knew!

I imagine miffer meant why couldn't the politicians do their job and legislate

Since that has already been explained in the thread, why would she mean that at all? Can't she read?

So Leia what should happen if the woman wants to have an abortion and the father is against it?

It's not like people are being asked to do a degree in Irish politics, just to RTFT...

It's been explained a few times now on the thread about constitution changes and how referendums are needed and then people come along and say things like "it's a stupid vote".

I didn't say it was a "stupid vote". I said as a general opinion on abortion, which I thought had some relevance to this thread, that I don't think people should be able to vote on whether a woman should have the right to choose to have one. This thread was about whether men should have a vote so I posted on that then expanded on it.

In an ideal world this referendum wouldn't be taking place.

Of course men should be allowed to vote in a referendum brought to the country.

If it ever happens. I suspect the Irish Border will be a bigger issue unfortunately.

Informed opinions are. But where you don't have any understanding of the issues your opinion is not useful or relevant. And can be insulting when you are giving it to people who both understand and are directly affected by the issues.

I really don't understand why my opinion that the only person who should have any say regarding an abortion is the woman who's deciding whether to have one is insulting.

And men who vote yes for this understand that it's a ridiculous ask as it will not ever be something that will effect them. However, in order to effect change for females it is a no brainer.

This wouldn't be a problem if James Connolly had lived.

OkPedro of course there are good and bad reasons for abortion like anything. stichgliched surely that depends on the reasons?

I was quoting the poster after you NoLove. It was yet another example.