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Let's Talk about Abortion

Abortion is probably the most discussed topic in Ireland at the moment, and in countless other places. With the referendum being pushed back (again), I feel the need to clear some things up.







Personally, I am pro choice, converted from pro life. I think that there are many issues around abortion, particularly womens rights, which are avoided.
I can understand the pro life debate to a point. Abortion is indeed a horrible thing, but these people forget something vital.


Pro choice isn't pro abortion.
No one is saying that abortions are fantastic. No one turns to their friends, excitedly wondering when we'll get to have their first abortion. Pro choice is what it says on the tin. It allows you to decide whether or not you want to have an abortion.

I honestly find the term "pro life" to be rather insulting.  It is blatantly suggesting that as a pregnant woman, my life is less important than that of a mass of undeveloped cells. I feel a certain amount of sexism and misogyny are at play. We live in a world where womens lives are undervalued to the point of emergency c-sections being carried out, and killing the woman.
What is the point?

Pro choice members are not monsters, are not murderers and don't hate babies. In my university, the head of the pro choice campaign is a midwife. Outlawing abortion doesn't stop it from happening. Women go from Ireland every day to the UK to access abortion. Some women can't afford that, and go down dangerous routes in desperation, and frankly, this is not ok. Just like prostitution, criminalising it doesn't stop it. Legalising it would just make the inevitable situation safe.

No one is denying that abortion is a horrible thing. The termination of a pregnancy is a very difficult decision for anyone to make. Pro choice is in no way glorifying abortion. We simply see the rights and needs of the woman in the situation. She has the right to control her own body, and the right to make a very difficult decision in a safe and supportive space.







The abortion debate is in no way black or white. I personally believe medical professionals on both sides of the debate should help the people and the government decide when to put a limit on abortion, as, after a certain stage, a fetus is a human and capable of living outside the womb, and no longer an undeveloped mass. But at the end of the day, I will value my life over something that is not developed or born.



All comments are asked to be respectful - especially with such a sensitive issue
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