SOYOUWANNA KNOW ABOUT THE ABORTION CONTROVERSY?

2. HEAR SOME "PRO-LIFE" ARGUMENTS

The Argument: What is a fetus if not alive? And what is it if not human? A human life cannot be taken without justification. Tragically, in such cases, the victim is blameless, helpless, and defenseless. Abortion is societally endorsed murder. One day, future generations will look back on our society's practice of abortion with horror, disdain, and shame in much the same way that we now view our nation's history of slavery and racial oppression.

The Response: The question over what constitutes a legally and morally protected life is a subtle one without a clear answer. Although unborn children harbor the potential to become human lives, they are not, at present, generally capable of surviving outside their mothers until the third trimester. Many women in this country conceive and, for natural reasons, fail to carry the baby to term, but we do not regard these "natural abortions" as anywhere near as tragic as the death of an autonomous person.

"Minors are not mature enough to make an informed decision about abortion. Parental approval should be required for all abortions."

The Argument: Our country recognizes the diminished decision-making capacities of minors in many areas. Those under 21 are prohibited from consuming alcohol. Before they turn 18, children are unable to vote, join the army, or even dial a psychic hotline without their parents' permission. Minors who commit crimes are treated specially and given penalties designed to rehabilitate. How then can we allow (as some states do) children to make the decision to have an abortion, to end a life, without allowing their parents to oversee the process. Such flawed policy condones recklessness in our children and undermines the moral authority of parents.

The Response: The debate over abortion is a fierce and contentious one. Many parents of pregnant minors are intolerant of those who wish to have abortions and would be unwilling to allow abortions in any case, regardless of the interests of the child and mother. Furthermore, any teenager that is unfit to make the decision about abortion is even less equipped to be a parent.

The reality of our times is that young people are having sex, often without their parents' consent or approval. The inclusion of a parent late in the process could have traumatic effects on a parent-child relationship. Those states which allow minors to have abortions without parental consent require that consent be given by a judge who has the teen's best interests in mind.

"Citizens have a right not to see their tax dollars go to pay for an act they deem evil. There should be no government funded abortions."

The Argument: The only thing worse than a society that turns a blind eye to state-sanctioned murder of its next generation is one that forces those who are opposed to abortion literally to pay for these crimes. Why should Americans who are morally opposed to the idea of abortion financially support its proliferation? Why should our government pick up the tab for this kind of highly controversial procedure? The answer is that they should not.

The Response: Our country has taken the position that abortion is legally permissible. Since that is so, why should we limit women's access to the medical treatment to which they are entitled? Why should a poor woman have any fewer options at her disposal than a wealthier woman? If a woman is at the point where money is the only obstacle preventing her from having an abortion, she is clearly neither prepared nor equipped to take care of a child.