Here's a pretty interesting article about a recent report issued by the UN regarding women and their reproductive rights:
As the article notes, this isn't something we as Americans can distance ourselves from. My home state, Mississippi, is trying to pass what I (and interestingly, my bishop) find to be some pretty disturbing legislation regarding "personhood." Here's a link to some info on that:
What do y'all think of the argument for reproductive rights as human rights? Are you convinced? Why or why not?
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2097340,00.html
Personally, I'm onboard with the UN and Planned Parenthood and will gladly yell "My body, my choice" in the streets when I go home if need be. At the moment, I plan to send all my anger back to the Mississippi legislature in an absentee ballot. That being said, I know it's a controversial issue. I started looking at the report and other articles to see what was being said and how. Here's one summary:
The report calls for decriminalization of and the removal of legal barriers related to four specific things: abortion, conduct during pregnancy, contraception, family planning, and provision of sexual and reproductive health education and information.
The report finds that such criminalization is discriminatory, generates and perpetuates stigma, distorts perceptions among health care providers (which in turn hinders access) and violates the right to health by restricting access to necessary goods, services and information.
Of course, the UDHR makes no explicit mention of reproductive rights but guarantees access to adequate healthcare, "security of person," and freedom from "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment." For me, forcing a rape victim to carry the child of her rapist denies all of those things. Beyond that, denying women the right to control of their bodies in terms of reproductive care in any situation is what I would call a total violation of the security of person and a denial of adequate healthcare, as the report notes.
Also, forgot to mention the current controversy with Title X funding in Memphis. Check this out:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2011/10/18/county-commission-approves-cchc-contract-for-title-x
First, let me start this off with stating the fact that I am an atheist. Although I was raised as a Methodist and I am sure that some of the ideals regarding religion greatly influenced my morality, I was raised in a very liberal church and most of the people I associate with are pro-choice. This being said, I find the argument completely absurd. I do not understand the coined term "reproductive rights". I completely agree with the idea that everyone should be allowed access to educational information regarding sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and contraception. This being said, I do not see abortion as a means of contraception. Scientists have stated that life does not begin at conception, but this baffles me as well because as far as I know, at conception, babies are able to carry out some of the qualifications for life--most notably being made up of cells and being able to grow. It's a simple case of cause and effect. Sex is short for sexual reproduction. Reproduction. Contraception is not 100% effective. We know this. We know this when we engage in sex. When having sex, we are saying that we are okay with the consequences of that action. If one is not okay with this possible consequence, one should simply not have sex. When you make a decision, you weigh the pros and cons. And if getting pregnant is a con for you and if it outweighs the fun, just don't do it. Cases where the mother will be killed if she carries the baby to term, rape, and incest are definitely exceptions to my firm anti-abortion stance simply because in the first, it is a case of precedence, in the second it is a case of one's rights being taken away from them in the act of conception, and the third for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteNow, this argument is usually dismissed as one that simply stems from my being a man and not having to deal with the consequences directly. And I think I can address these by simply stating that I live my life by this and do not see why anyone should be exempt from the law of cause and effect.
I personally find the bill in Mississippi quite disturbing. Giving an undeveloped fetus rights over the mother carrying it does not really seem to carry weight, yet some people expect the bill to pass.
ReplyDeleteThe question is how a human being and one deserving 'personhood' is defined. As far as the declaration for human rights goes, a person needs to have rationality etc. However that raises the question of whether one with mental disabilities has 'personhood'. But a living breathing person is quite different than a two week old human... possibility.
I recently read an article about a woman who had a D & C due to having a disease which would cause her baby to die and her life to be in jeopardy during labor. Her pastor judged her and said something about, 'Why do you get to take the easy way out when other women have to have their babies?' The fact that this can happen is quite ridiculous and I think our legislation should take a better approach to treatment of women.
The article, "Mississippi's Choice," is a bit too extreme. If a woman is raped she should not be required to carry and give birth to the baby. What if it's a young teenager? Carrying her rapist's baby could be psychologically damaging. Not to mention the damage it could do to her body which is not ready to carry a child and give birth. and what if the woman is sick or encounters difficulty during her term that could jeopardize her life. Would it be fair to risk the woman's life for that of a four week old fetus, which technically isn't considered a living human yet? No. That would violate the woman's right to life. It's the woman's body. I believe that it's her choice to get an abortion before that 3 month period. No one should act recklessly as long as they are pregnant, but
ReplyDeleteeveryone has a right to the other things, especially sexual education.
I saw this video and thought anyone reading this article would find it interesting:
ReplyDeletehttp://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/30219/
I sort of shutter when I hear her speak, but that could just be me.