Abortion Kills
...What about in cases of rape or incest? Keeping a baby who is the result of such events is like a punishment for the mother,” and things of that nature. In my opinion rape and incest are extreme cases. They constitute a different situation, and should be examined in a different context. Only 1% of abortions are rape or incest cases. Furthermore, 1% of abortions are due to fetal abnormalities; 3% are due to the mother’s health problems (http://epigee.org.guide/). Such small percentages reflect that incidents of rape or incest, fetal abnormality, and the fetus posing a threat to the mother’s health are a very small percentage of abortion cases. Therefore, using such incidents as an argument in favor of abortion is not a strong argument. Two statements that I came across on the internet struck me as in interesting: 1. Never, in modern times- except by physicians in Hitler’s Germany- has a certain physical perfection been required as a condition necessary for the continuation of that life. 2. Never, in modern times, has the state granted to one citizen the absolute legal right to have another killed in order to solve their own personal, social, or economic problem (http://www.abortionfacts.com) The first fact pertains to abortions performed in the case that the fetus has some physical or mental ailment, such as mental retardation. The second fact pertains to abortions performed when the pregnancy is ‘unwanted’ for the parents’ own personal, social, or economic reasons. I think that the term ‘unwanted pregnancy’ is disturbing because if pregnancy is an unwanted occurrence, then two people should not engage in sexual intercourse. I do understand that my stance is somewhat conservative, and that many people have sex because it is a source of pleasure. However, I think that the point I am trying to make is that I think people should be prepared to face the consequences of their own actions. Since sexual intercourse is a voluntary act, as shown by the statistic that 95% of abortions are a means of birth control, then those who decide to have sex should be obligated to take responsibility for the repercussions. Merriam- Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘feminism’ as: 1. the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. 2. organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests. If this is what a feminist believes, count me in. Nowhere in that definition is physical equality mentioned, so I do not think that abortion is a ‘feminist’ issue. Women have the ability to bear children; it is a physical attribute. It is a quality that cannot be disputed. Furthermore, Merriam- Webster defines the word ‘equal’ as: of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another (2): identical. I do not consider men and women to be ‘equal’. Equal means that they are the same, and it is a biological fact that men and woman are not the same. In fact they have many differences, primarily physical differences. I do not consider biological difference to be a bad thing. It should not determine how men and women are treated in a political, economic, and/or social context. Men and women are physically different, and the male and female bodies perform different functions. However, such difference does not make either men or women inferior to the other. Both men and women are created in the same way; they are both intellectual beings; they both have the ability to think, know, use their senses, feel, ect… I think that men and women are intellectual equals because they both have a brain, and the ability to use it to their fullest potential. Men are physically stronger than women, a result of the male hormone, testosterone. That is a scientific fact, and it cannot be denied. Physical strength is not the ‘end all and be all’. I do not think that physical strength should be used as a determinant of one’s value to, or one’s position in the work place. For example, I do not think that men should be given a managerial position because they are physically stronger or bigger. It is a common stereotype that has been reinforced throughout the ages that men are strong; therefore, they are supposed to do the physical work, and women are weak; therefore, they are expected to stay inside, and take care of domestic chores. In my opinion, it does not matter if you are female and male. Each of us is capable of performing whatever is it that we want to accomplish. In some cases women can perform some tasks better than a man can do and vice versa. In many cases, I think that it all boils down to a person’s motivation to complete a task. My mother has always said, “Can’t means won’t”. I hear people who call themselves feminists complain about women’s inferiority in the work place. My advice would be to stop complaining, and to be active; do something to create change. There have also been many reported cases of women who have been fired from their job because they were pregnant. Pregnancy is a physical condition, and may or may not be grounds for terminating a female employee’s position in the workplace. I think that it depends on the case. For example, Cynthia Papageorge, who worked for one of the world’s biggest sellers of maternity clothing, was fired from her job when she was 37 weeks pregnant. Allegedly, a Mothers Work vice president showed up at her office toward the end of her pregnancy and expressed doubts about whether she could fulfill her job duties because of her "condition." Papageorge said, “I was horrified. I was 37 weeks pregnant, and I hadn't slowed...