Should Abortion be de-criminalised after 24 weeks?
The Royal College of Midwives has faced controversy after calling for the legal limits on abortion to be scrapped. Midwives have been told they will have the option to not participate in later abortions – but many are in open revolt.
Yesterday the RCM leadership issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to a radical change in the law.
A spokesman said: “The RCM does not believe it is right that in the 21st Century it is still the case that women who choose to have an abortion can be criminalised and jailed.
Accordingly the RCM believes that abortion should be removed from the criminal law. The RCM believes that if we are to be advocates for women then we must advocate for choice on all aspects of their care.”
“This is not about being for or against abortion; it is about being for women and respecting their choices about their bodies.”
Do you agree that women should be able to terminate their pregnancy at any stage? Or do you think the legal abortion limit should remain at 24 weeks? What are your views?
What are your views?
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I strongly oppose the move by the RCM to campaign to change the law on this matter. The current limit surely allows plenty of time for a woman to end a pregnancy in the vast majority of circumstances. I also think it unfair to expect Midwives to be involved in such procedures as a matter of course.
I am fervently pro-choice but am convinced that this campaign is ill judged.
My first wife had had two abortions before marrying me. I didn't know until much later. She early become depressed and sank to taking Valium like Smarties. That was in the days of open prescriptions. She remained in that state for many years of our marriage.
I believe the guilt of aborting two children weighed so heavily on her it marred the rest of her life.
We must be concerned about the long term effects of abortion. It's not as simple as throwing unwanted rubbish in the bin.
I believe the matter of abortion should be addressed in tandem with morality.
As far as legislation is concerned I fail to see how a one size fits all policy can work. Further, as in so many other areas of life, it seems to me everyone is a special case.
But what to do?
For many women the decision to have an abortion is very tough and yes, it can affect the rest of their lives. However, so can the effects of carrying a child for 9 months following rape and other forms of sexual abuse. Have you any idea of the psychological effects of this?
So the answer to your question must be almost a no.
Your first point about morality. In view of people being feared of behaving in any way less than politically correct, in view of heightened sensitivities and certain laws relating to what may be published and what may not, I must decline to answer in detail.
However, you've been involved with the Health Service for a working lifetime. You must surely understand there are always consequences to wrong life decisions. Smoking, for instance, carries its own penalties as does excessive drinking. I could go on. But sexual promiscuity has its own unwanted consequences. I need not spell them out.
I believe, with some amount of conviction, the rise in abortion numbers, and STI infections, is a direct result of the general acceptance of a weak moral code promulgated by liberal thinkers. The need for an abortion does not stand in isolation, no, it is a consequence of an action.
And here stands the clear distinction between right and wrong.
We all have a conscience. That stands as the guardian of the soul. Crossing the boundaries of conscience will result in unwanted consequences. Some may be remedied but many may not. Valium does not address the underlying cause of depression. No, that's a spiritual matter and must be dealt with spiritually, and very carefully. Forgiveness is one of the sweetest things, but so few seek it.
Jean mark, please do not understand I am a religious man. I am not. But I am a deeply spiritual, compassionate man. As said, a one size fits all law will never work well. There must always be a place for compassion and understanding which cannot be defined in law.
My point about special cases in the context of this subject refers to this: a woman, or girl, who wilfully neglects herself and engages in promiscuity with the resulting consequences is not a special case. That is self inflicted. A woman, or girl, who is raped, or coerced/blackmailed, and faces the physical consequences is a special case and all compassion and urgency must be employed to restore her. Better than restore, re-form her so she may face life without guilt, without unwanted child and without any stigma.
I would add, where a woman's life is in danger if she carries a child to term, then an abortion is required and must be offered her. But abortion should never, not ever, be the ultimate form of contraception.
But these forums have limitations. One may not see the writer, observe facial expressions or body language. One cannot hear the tone of voice used to make a point, or experience the intensity felt at that moment. One cannot enter into a persons conviction.
The written word is very cold, anonymous, unfeeling.
Furthermore, a long post is seldom read so thoughts must be condensed into fifty or perhaps a hundred words. On subjects such as abortion or the Junior Doctors this is impossible, the scope being so vast.
Please do pick up on anything I write. I'll very happily expand on the point.
If a baby is murdered you're all up in arms! Where's the difference from a helpless foetus in utero to a baby that has just been born?