# Why are so many people pro-choice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 25, 2001, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369 "2001-03-25T00:55:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/101 "2001-03-25T16:43:19Z")
Also alloran, you’ll get a much better response from people if you start making any attempt at all to back up your own claims, instead of just making other people back up their arguments, in what is again becoming an insulting and inflammatory manner with you. ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/102 "2001-03-25T16:47:26Z")
Another cite: [http://www.afterabortion.org/PAR/V5/n2/daughtersgrief.htm](http://www.afterabortion.org/PAR/V5/n2/daughtersgrief.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/103 "2001-03-25T16:50:44Z")
Good cite, Unfortunately it covers one event. That is not a study and does not reflect ALL who have gone through an abortion. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/104 "2001-03-25T16:56:15Z")
Look, I have to start out by saying, I’m a guy, so I have no real right to say anything. But since I’m a guy, I also feel the overwhelming urge to insert my $.02. Personally the idea of abortion is repugnant to me. Not having a womb, I will never have the opportunity to have to even think about choosing. I DO know that abortion exists, always has, always will, and has done so since the beginning of time. So if I have any choice it’s to live in a world where women who want them can get safe legal abortions, instead of having young girls mutilate themselves in alleys with coathangers. And If I’m so blasted concerned about abortion, maybe I should get my ass out of my chair and help educate rather than judge. Maybe if I do that, there will be fewer abortions. Maybe I can get one girl to be careful, or to abstain, maybe I can get one boy to be responsible. Maybe that would be a better way to fight abortion than demonstrating my pro-life stance by blowing up people, or trying to judge someone whose shoes I’m not in. Ok, flame away. I asked for it. ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/105 "2001-03-25T16:58:22Z")
Judging a large group of people for the actions of a few is prejudiced and injudicious. ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/106 "2001-03-25T17:00:09Z")
[http://www.afterabortion.org/PAR/V4/n1/TESTIMNY.htm](http://www.afterabortion.org/PAR/V4/n1/TESTIMNY.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/107 "2001-03-25T17:02:30Z")
**Alloran,** the text and [link](http://www.pro-choice.com/pc3.htm) you cite, in spite of “pro-choice” imbedded in the URL, is espousing exactly the opposite point of view. The text has been slanted – notice the use of “baby,” not zygote or fetus – to appeal to the emotions. It is not a neutral, medical document. Is your claim that abortion should not be allowed because of the _emotions_ it causes in some people, like yourself? Or for biological/medical reasons? Are there any circumstances in which you support killing of humans? Capital punishment? Self defense? Holy war? Euthanasia? Are you a purist in this regard, and feel NO human killing should be allowed? Just asking. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/108 "2001-03-25T17:02:58Z")
How do you figure that you have no right to say anything because you’re a guy? You may have an influence if you have a child after you’re married and your wife wants to have an abortion. Try to think about your arguments before you type and reply. ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/109 "2001-03-25T17:05:36Z")
I think that having a lifetime to think and feel guilty about what you did is much worse than getting killed right off the bat. ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/110 "2001-03-25T17:10:24Z")
Musicat, the text I selected was a description of abortifacients and the term “baby” was probably chosen because these are methods used fairly late in the pregnancy. ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/111 "2001-03-25T17:11:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alloran \* > \*\*Judging a large group of people for the actions of a few is prejudiced and injudicious. \*\* Exactly the point here. You are stating that ALL people who go through with it are traumatized and need therapy, based on a couple of individual statements of people who have needed it. When told you are wrong, you demand proof. Your proof was provided. You are judging anyone who doesn’t think your way as evil, uncaring, thoughtless, etc. That is pretty prejudiced and very injudicious. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/112 "2001-03-25T17:15:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alloran \* > \*\*How do you figure that you have no right to say anything because you’re a guy? You may have an influence if you have a child after you’re married and your wife wants to have an abortion. Try to think about your arguments before you type and reply. \*\* I don’t have to think about it. I happen to believe that being a man excludes you from arguments about women. OBTW, in choosing a mate, I tend to think you should find someone whose moral qualities reflect your own. I will never have to be concerned about the situation you posit, as my mate does in fact share my moral values, or she would not be my mate. I understand and share your repugnance, Alloran, but the answers are not where you think they are. Read and understand my original post with an open mind. Disagreeing but trying not to be disagreeable Billy ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/113 "2001-03-25T17:15:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alloran \* > \*\*Musicat, the text I selected was a description of abortifacients and the term “baby” was probably chosen because these are methods used fairly late in the pregnancy. \*\* No, they are not. Making grand, sweeping statements that are absolutely FALSE, is not helping your argument. So far, you haven’t supported your original statement. You haven’t given us any indication of what you consider to be “life,” whether you consider it wrong under ALL circumstances to kill (though many have pointed out circumstances in which this is commonly considered acceptable). DO you have a point, or are you just trying to insult those who don’t agree with your point of view? Seems to me, you can’t even come up with a rational basis for your OWN point of view. Therefore, it doesn’t come across very well when you try to tell me what MINE should be. -L ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/114 "2001-03-25T17:17:26Z")
No, I said that **most** people go through therapy. I am sure that some people do not go through therapy; however, I do not suggest that either of these cases make up all abortions. ---
**Author:** ![Holly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/48db29/32.png) [@Holly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Holly)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/115 "2001-03-25T17:17:52Z")
alloran, of course the procedure of abortion is revolting. So is any appendectomy, craniotomy, or surgery to repair ingrown toenails. Shoot, it’s gross to watch somebody get a couple of stitches in his finger, but that doesn’t make any of these things morally wrong. Calling the fetus a “developing child” or “a baby” is a cheap attempt to sway emotions. Doesn’t work on me. People have already provided links showing that abortion does _not_ cause lifelong trauma to the woman- unless she believes abortion is murder in the first place, in which case she should certainly not have one. (Say that five times fast! :)) On a more personal note, I was raped 2 days after my 16th birthday and conceived as a result. I had an abortion and have never felt a moment of regret, nor have I experienced post traumatic stress disorder. I did, in fact, feel overwhelming relief. (That was fifteen years ago, so I’ve had plenty of time to feel the aftereffects.) On the other hand, if I’d been forced to carry that pregnancy to term, I have absolutely no doubt that I would have either a)committed suicide, or b)ended the pregnancy myself with a coathanger, which would have had basically the same results as a). ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/116 "2001-03-25T17:19:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alloran \* > \*\*Try to think about your arguments before you type and reply. \*\* Again… Anyone who doesn’t agree with you obviously hasn’t applied any thought to the matter. Again, just a bit of advice here for you alloran, you might want to tone down your accusations in here. That is his choice. Whether you like it or not, it is his choice, and not a stated fact. ---
**Author:** ![ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChoosyChipsAndCeilingWhacks)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/117 "2001-03-25T17:21:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Holly \* > **On a more personal note, I was raped 2 days after my 16th birthday and conceived as a result. I had an abortion and have never felt a moment of regret, nor have I experienced post traumatic stress disorder. I did, in fact, feel overwhelming relief…** My volunteer work with sexual assault victims means that I have witnessed this numerous times. The only stress the women I dealth with felt over the abortion was the initial fear that they wouldn’t be able to end the conception that began with violence. Once they realized that the service would be provided for them, their guilt/trauma over THAT particular matter dissipated. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/118 "2001-03-25T17:29:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by alloran \* > **I would give love and support to that girl. Yes, I realize that she’s pregnant, but giving her an abortion is not the answer! If you do, she’ll remember what she did for the rest of her life(unless she has amnesia).** In this case I can promise you that this 12 year old girl felt nothing but relief. The abortion allowed her to move back into her life. She rarely thinks about the abortion, at least until someone tells her she is damned (And I’m not saying anyone in this thread has even suggested this) for a situation that was in no way of her own making. She was able to go back to normal teenage activities. She was able to get the counseling she needed for the rape without having to pay for actions that were not hers. Simply, this is why I am pro-choice. If I weren’t I would have a 15 year-old child now, at the age of 27. ---
**Author:** ![Turbo\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Turbo\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turbo_Dog)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/119 "2001-03-25T17:37:27Z")
I’m still waiting for answers to the first set of questions that I posed to you, alloran. ---
**Author:** ![alloran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a587f6/32.png) [@alloran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alloran)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-pro-choice/59369/120 "2001-03-25T17:40:29Z")
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