Dude, a little defensive are we???

Sexist or not, you're entittled to your opinion. I struggled with this issue myself for a long time. On the one hand, I have a deep respect for human life, it's a kind of humility, I think; on the the other, there is nothing that makes us more uniquely human than our freedom to choose, especially on issues involving our own well being. Yes, the immovable force meets the irresistible force.

I believe that safe medical abortions should be available to women who make that choice...subject to the usual age of the foetus restrictions. I also support organizations who provide education and counselling services for women considering an abortion. Their decision should be an informed decision as much as possible.

As to the "father" involved having a say, I support that in principle, but I would by no means legalize it. The final call rests with the women.

Conner

P.S. You evil sexist man!!! You're cute, though.

*takes a deep breath*

I believe when a man has sex with a woman he is giving her his sperm (and whatever diseases) as a "gift without contemplation", thus, by accepting his sperm she makes no legal contract with him giving up sovereignty over her body. Like it or not, it is hers now. Hence, a man's only say on the issue of abortion is whether he stays in the relationship or moves on. HIS input is merely part of the emotional relationship they have.

I do not believe that zygotes, blastocysts, embryos, and possibly fetuses are Human Beings.

I believe that every human being has the inalienable right to have a parasite removed from their body via modern medical practices as decided by the patient and their doctor, even if they had fun and acted stupid to get that parasite in the first place. I drank untreated water in the Sierra Nevadas once, I got giardia, I knew the dangers, I was having fun, and I also did everything I could to get that critter and all his friends out of me as soon as I got home without worrying about what Mr. giardia thought about it. But I guess that is ok, because giardia doesn't have the label "potential human being" and I didn't get it via failed protective or unprotected sex.

I don't hold humans as having any "special" place on this planet, or this universe for that matter. If anything, Agent Smith was right, we are a virus infecting this universe.

rape, incest, blah, blah, blah, are just red herrings to ramp up the emotional content of what really is a contract law and medical problem.

As one of my favorite bumper stickers says: "Against Abortion? Don't have one"

But I also believe I have the right to have an opinion about it, regardless of what others think.

:king: Dr. Mr. Snow "Snoopy" Dog

I've already said what I have to say on this subject.

Yet, as an especially evil dominating monstrous man I bitterly contest the idea that it should be the woman's choice alone to carry a child to term when the pregnancy comes about as a result of consensual sex. The father should have a say. It takes two people to conceive a child, and its no secret that sex produces children, nor is birth control any mystery. The choice to have unprotected male to female sex is made on the understanding that a pregnancy may occur. Both parties know this, both carry the responsibility of the decision to keep the child or not. If the mother wants to keep the child, there is no question in current society that she should keep be allowed to carry the child to term whether or not the father wants to. Yet if a father wishes to keep the child and the mother wants to abort, the father has no recourse. I see that as injustice. That I see this as injustice apparently makes me an evil sexist pig of a man. If so, I offer no apology for it and embrace it. If the father wishes to have the child and the mother does not, the child should be brought to term, then full custody granted to the father and the mother released from all obligations or right to the child. Similarly, if the woman wants the child and the man does not, then the man should cede all custody to the woman and be free of all obligations to the child. Now I'm a really evil sexist chauvanistic pig.

Dude! I couldn't agree with you more!

I've always felt this way! And what pisses me off even more is how blatantly unfair the system is with regards to men's rights to custody, and even worse the limited options single men that want to be parents face! It's completely possible for a single mother to decide "well I want to have a child now" and she'll damn well have it (which is awesome of course), but a single man can't just up and decide "well I want to have a child now"

I'm a rabid feminist, but I'm also a rabid "masculinist" and the God's honest truth is that men face a hell of a lot of discrimination in society and none more prevalent than where children are concerned!

Just why should the woman have the final say, Conner?

And, Snowy, I do not enter into that kind of contractual arrangement with women. I mean I don't anyway since I don't sleep with them, but if I did it would be with the understanding that any life created is our equal responsibility and privilege. I'm not "giving" her my sperm, I'm making an investment, and if that investment proves fruitful I damn well want my share!

Anyway, I won't even go into my opinions about abortion (which are probably more or less in line with yours perhaps a bit more pro-choice), but regardless of what abortion's ultimate fate will be the only fair circumstance is one in which both parties are a part of the decision making process.

-Kevin