Please enlighten me...

[BigRedV]

Not trying to cause huge debates/arguments but I am really curious about some people's (well, what I believe to be) "conflicting" beliefs. I have been reading a lot of threads latey about smacking. And we know about all the pro-life/pro-choice threads. I steer clear of the circumcision section 99% of the time because I have made my mind up about any future sons I may have - they will be left intact.

Anyway, I am just curious and would like all PRO-LIFE believers to educate me about why they believe an unborn child should be given the right to live - despite it not always being the best option for the mother. But, once that baby is born, their rights are taken away (IMO) by being circumsized and definitely have their rights to be protected taken away as some PRO-LIFE people support smacking.

Please enlighten me and keep it nice, I am really interested to know :yes:

[Annabella]

I also don't want to weigh into a big debate but this is just what I'm thinking....

My position on abortion is that i'm pro-life. I believe it is wrong to terminate because I believe our most basic right is a right to life, regardless of what is 'best' for the mother. (When I got pregnant the 'best' thing for me at that stage of my life may have been to terminate according to other people, but I didn't and I believe that was actually the best thing really.) I do not 'judge' a woman for her choice to terminate a pregnancy, but I do not necessarily agree with her decision. I have supported many friends thru abortions, many have only told me, knowing my views on it, because they know that, although I don't agree with it, and wouldn't do that myself, I will always support a friend who needs it without judging them. So please anyone looking to argue, I'm not interested.

I'm not pro or anti circumcision or smacking. For both I would prefer not to in most cases but its not something I feel particularly strongly about. Hitting a child esp with an object, I am dead against. Smacking I think there are better ways to discipline your children but I have done it very occasionally and would not enter into an anti-smacking campaign.

To answer the question I would say probably people who are pro-life but also pro-circumcision and smacking probably don't see those things as taking away a child's rights. To be honest I don't really see them that way. Although I would not circumcise my son if I had one, many of my friends have, and I don't see their sons as having had their rights taken away. Likewise, I think if a child is in a family where he/she is safe, fed, loved, sheltered etc, but also smacked I think, although the parents could possibly discipline more effectively, I wouldn't say they were having their rights violated. I personally think verbal abuse can be as damaging, if not more damaging than a smack.

Don't know if that really answered the question :confused::)

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

I personaly believe that if the childs rights trump the mothers, that they should have full right to bodily autonomy at birth.:yes:

I believe all living men, women, children and babies should have the right to bodily autonomy and that includes all pregnant women too.

[Lemonhead]

I think you raise a very interesting point lozzaaa :yes:

Personally, I am pro-choice. I believe that women should have the right to choose to have children or not. I still can't believe that there are people out there that think it is wrong for a child or a victim of rape/incest to abort. I think the same about women who's health is compromised by carrying a child...why shouldnt they be able to choose what happens to them?

I find it strange how so many women on this forum preach feminism and womens rights but then shake their heads at a woman choosing for herself that she is not ready or does not want a child.

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

I find it strange how so many women on this forum preach feminism and womens rights but then shake their heads at a woman choosing for herself that she is not ready or does not want a child.

The majority of women who say they are feminists on this forum, believe in a womans right to choose. I am confused as to where you would get this idea from?:confused:

[Mrs Nietzsche]

I personally can understand that if someone believes abortion is murder, they may be totally against it, but then feel that circumcision or smacking or 'harmless' and so those things are okay... ie not to be compared with murder.

[Lemonhead]

The majority of women who say they are feminists on this forum, believe in a womans right to choose. I am confused as to where you would get this idea from?:confused:

SSP- Dont get me wrong, I dont mean ALL. I definitely have seen some ladies on here who have called themselves feminists in one thread and yet they frown upon certain actions that other women choose to do ie: elective c/s, terminations, working etc in another.

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

SSP- Dont get me wrong, I dont mean ALL. I definitely have seen some ladies on here who have called themselves feminists in one thread and yet they frown upon certain actions that other women choose to do ie: elective c/s, terminations, working etc in another.

I have seen one or two. :)

Most feminists I know don't believe that feminism and pro life agendas go well together.

[Lemonhead]

I have seen one or two. :)

Most feminists I know don't believe that feminism and pro life agendas go well together.

I suppose even when one considers themself a pro-something, there is usually always situations when they they couldn't agree with the policies.

[Annabella]

Again, I don't want to debate abortion, just want to point out you can be both. I am very passionate about women's rights. And I am pro-life. Yes the two don't often seem to go together, and I admit sometimes I do find myself wondering if its possible. But then it comes down to my fundamental belief that everyone has a right to life. I believe an unborn child's right to life is stronger than a woman's right to choose. I also think life begins at conception, which is a big part of my pro-lifeness. I support women's rights to everything and anything, as long as it doesn't take away the rights of someone else in the process. To me, feminism is the belief that men and women are created equal and therefore deserve to be treated equally.

In relation to this thread (and I'm not really asking this, just making an example), you could ask, Why do pro choice people think its ok to destroy a human life, but then its not ok to do something such as cut off some skin (ie foreskin) or give a child a smack?

Please, I don't want to get into a debate about abortion and I hope that above statement hasn't hurt anyone, I don't like talking about such personal things on here coz I don't know what people have been through, but just wanted to present it in another way.

[misskittyfantastico]

I suppose even when one considers themself a pro-something, there is usually always situations when they they couldn't agree with the policies.

Pro-choice, to me equates to bodily autonomy. MY view on abortion shouldn't be able to influence or override anothers, because it isn't my body. Once a child is born? Well, again, autonomy. I don't believe I have the right to perform RIC, to pierce, to tattoo, to deny comfort etc. Oh, btw, I'm a feminist.:)

[BigRedV]

Don't know if that really answered the question :confused::)

It didn't really answer the question :laughing: but thanks for answering.

I totally respect people who would not have an abortion but can emapthise with others and do not judge others who do. It is the people who advocate for pro-life at all costs that I just cannot comprehend.