My stance as I stated in a recent post in
regards to dealing with female “issues” in politics is to simply stop debating
about it. If we stop talking about it,
it will disappear from the table that it currently finds itself on. I was at the time referencing the US as it
seems that every time there is an election a females right to choose becomes a
national debate topic. A negatively polarizing
topic that sparks controversy and debate from all sides, and yet at the end of
the day abortion will still occur. The
only change that will result is whether or not the female will be able to do it
safely, or illegally with an increased chance of her own death in the
process. Unfortunately the past week in
my amazing home country of Canada, the
debate has been sparked regarding when life begins.
I do not want to debate where individuals
are represented on our vast spectrum of opinions, that truly makes this country
an amazing place to live. The tolerances
gained and learned from living in a country that embraces individuality versus
the system of a melting pot is a freedom I love very very much. But sadly I find myself not even able to
google the subject that is currently being discussed in the house of commons
without being bombarded with each group simply shouting louder than the
next. Bottom line is that we each
individually have our opinions on when life begins, but what is more important
is that these opinions are protected, and not to nationally change our
opinions. How many debates in regards to
a woman’s right to choose have you listened to, and actually changed your mind
one way or the other? It rarely happens,
because these debates are not designed to educate or bring new information to
the table, instead it is a bureaucratic shouting match.
I will share one story I read in university
in regards to when life begins, merely to show that there are staunch
differences in opinions that knowledge of does not necessarily influence our
way of life, simply broadens empathy.
There are groups of Eskimos that practice our definition of infanticide
(as the fetus is outside of the womb) but in their society it is a late stage
abortion. If when the infant is born
there are not enough resources to continue life past infancy the choice is available
for the parents to determine whether or not they will allow the baby to
survive. As they live in a very harsh
environment and the infant will usually take the breast for up to 4 years, this
can be too much of a burden to accept every life that is formed. Whether or not you agree with their way of
thinking is reasonable or are absolutely outraged that any parent would
willingly choose to terminate a fetus or infants life is absolutely your choice
to make. But consider the realities if
the Eskimos were forced by law to keep every one of their infants and put all
of their limited resources into keeping them alive. The potential to strip the very limited resources from the
strong and healthy, would have a negative effect on the family unit, and it is
safe to assume this group of people would have a decreased capability for
survival.
Consider also that the Canadian statics
recently released estimate that each child now costs approximately $300,000 to
raise. That is a staggering amount of
money, and I do not think that it would do our society a great deal of service
to force every fetus conceived the same rights and freedoms as a income generating
member of our society. Individual’s
right to choose what is best for them given their current circumstances is an
integral part of our society. I am
pained to know that there is even any debate being given to such a sensitive
and personal subject. This is not a
matter for national debate, rather it is one for the individuals and our rights
and freedoms should be protected not forced.
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