And now, let's have a debate

[zhie]

I'm bringing up the subject banned as a topic of discussion in every speech and english composition class I've ever had.

Abortion.

It has been announced that the United States Supreme Court is going to hear a case regarding late term abortion. Now, those of you who know my political and religious afiliations are probably well aware of how I would vote on such a thing, but, that's not so much the specifics of what I want to debate regarding this topic.

I think that abortion should be determined by the individual states in the union, and not by the national government. Discuss among yourselves. Feel free to expand upon the topic. I know, it's a hot and controversial one, but I think everyone who ganders by this journal knows how to play nice with each other.

If not, we can always just revert to having cheesecake if things get nasty...

Comments

[anieni.livejournal.com]

Well, to put it bluntly, I guess we are not arguing about our reproductive rights simply because no one is questioning them.

Bear in mind we are talking about a country where most of the women would not even consider abortion as a choice. Some because of religion or principles. Mexico is still mainly an old fashioned country, large families, and by families I mean extended families where aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, cousins once removed and grandparents are considered immediate family. Child care is moslty provided for by that family and one more baby is almost always considered a blessing, whether you are 15 or 40.

Here if someone gets pregnant young they most likely get married, and most likely they will continue to live with the boy or girl's family until they can stand on their own, baby included, baby btw will be taken care of by grandma or auntie or something like that.

In the younger, educated, middle class abortion might be considered an option. Now here is where it gets tricky. Mexico has a reputation for having corruption, it is true, we know it. Given it does not change because ALL Mexicans would have to change, there is corruption at all levels. It is, sadly, part of the culture and changing WAY TOO SLOWLY!!

Corruption, in general, is bad. I do not condone it. But it has certain advantages and that is why, in my opinion, it hasn't been eliminated. Abortion as I said is illegal, but if you can afford it you can get an abortion in the best hospital with the best doctor. The loophole is that abortion in Mexico is legal when the doctor considers the life of the mother or the child is in danger. So if you can get your doctor to say that no hospital will question it. So as you can see there has to be corruption at all levels for this to work. Furthermore corruption in the government makes them turn a blind eye on the issue, there are entire hospitals specializing on abortions and no one questions them.

Of course the poor uneducated people are the ones that suffer, as it is everywhere. They are the ones exposing their health when they want to get an abortion, but also remember the poor Mexican women have 8-10 kids and want more. They can have their tubes tied for free by the social services and REFUSE the operation, even more, some feel ofended by it. Again catholicism and our family culture come into play.

Another factor is that this is a country where most things are obtained by havign connections and/or relationships, so if you know someone who knows someone you can get most anything.

To sum it up, we do not fight for something because it is readily available if the person wants it. There is no one to stop it and if there is everyone pretends there isn't.

I could go on for a long time about how many more things work in Mexico and why they aren't changing, but this was already long winded. Hope it answered your question though.

Laura

[neldluva.livejournal.com]

Ah, I think I begin to understand now. Thanks for answering my question!