January 31 2008 - NEWS
It's Debate Time!- Abortion, whats your view?
- by Joana Cook and Raquelle Fletcher1. Is, or when is, abortion alright?
RF: Safe and free abortion should be available for any woman who decides it’s her best option. It is her body and ultimately, her responsibility to decide what course of action is best for her. Denying a woman the right to choose is a form of violence against women. No woman should be forced to go through the physical pain and emotional torment of childbirth without the essential support systems needed to deliver a child to term.
JC: Abortion, essentially, is taking a human life. According to Canadian law that is murder and can never be justified. The only possible exception to this is when the mothers health is at risk or there is a severe risk the child will be born with life-threatening health problems.
Fact: 1,846 abortions were performed in Saskatchewan in 2003 (Source: StatsCan).
2. Should it be a woman’s choice only, or the fathers as well?
RF: The right to choose between an abortion and giving birth to a child rests solely with the woman. In a perfect world, the need for an abortion would never arise, as no unplanned pregnancy would ever occur. Every woman would find herself in a safe, secure, and supportive relationship – her and her partner would not only be financially-independent, but also emotionally prepared to raise a child. In a perfect world no woman would ever be raped, abused or coerced. No woman would be forced to raise a child alone. This is not a perfect world, though, and a whole host of circumstances may influence a woman’s decision.
JC: Though the man is not the one carrying the child, it is in fact also his child. That child is equally his responsibility after birth and as such he should have a role in the pregnancy, or termination of one.
Fact: Lone parents made up 15.9 per cent of all consensus families in 2006 (Source: StatsCan).
3. What do you think about putting the child up for adoption?
RF: Adoption is an option that depends on the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy. Not every woman is prepared or able to bring a child to term.
JC: This is the most humane choice for an unwanted pregnancy. Giving the unborn child a chance at life, as opposed to prematurely killing it, could have many positive aspects. The outcome of the child’s life is not yet determined - you don’t know if that child could be a much-needed doctor, or another individual who would positively contribute to society.
Fact: In 2006 Canadians adopted 1,535 children from abroad (Source: Adoption Council of Canada).
4. How available should abortion be?
RF: Government funding is needed so that women of all classes have the option to have a safe abortion. Abortion should be available in hospitals and clinics.
JC: If the mother’s immediate health is at risk, the option to abort should be readily available, but with a physician’s recommendation.
Fact: In 2003 only four Saskatchewan hospitals provided abortion services (Canadian Federation for Sexual Health).
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