This is probably my number one biggest concern with Sarah Palin taking the vice presidential position, or even John McCain as president.
I think it is truly horrific that Palin does not support adequate sexual education, birth control, or abortions. It is a concept that, as a woman, I cannot even begin to wrap my head around another woman at least being pro-choice (even if her personal beliefs are different).
I understand, as a point HL frequently makes, that the decision of Roe vs. Wade will be incredibly difficult to overturn and most likely will not happen. However, with McCain making vital Supreme Court decisions and cabinent appointments, the likelyhood of a conservative, religion based government is a definite threat to womens' rights.
It especially urks me that Palin finds fault with Obama's description of "punished with a baby/STD" for making a mistake, when that is the most accurate way to explain it. Bristol Palin is facing the punishment of not having safe sex and/or adequate safe sex eduacation. And I am really very happy that the Palin family's 1.5 million dollar "middle class" income can support her daughters decision and RIGHT to choose, but the truth is, very few families can provide that safety net for their pregnant daughters. Many parents wouldn't even allow their daughters to continue being part of their family if they became pregnant.
To ban abortions is to only promote black-market, back alley answers which will not help any person. To cut funding for foundations like Planned Parenthood is to take away a vital source of information and safety for men and women who may not have otherwise had the resources to make a good decision with their lives.
No matter what you teach them, kids are going to have sex. I think we have all been through the DARE program, but I can easily name many kids who smoke, drink, or do drugs. I can name twice as many that have sex, no matter what we have learned. The point of these programs is to educate kids on how to do these activies safely. It's why we learn to have a designated driver and watch all of those gory videos in health class. So even if you do drink, you will probably not get behind the wheel of a car. Shouldn't sex ed be the same? To allow the student to make their own decision but show them the safe options behind them?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Posted by Kristi at 9:28 PM
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3 comments:
Interesting post. I think a lot of people share your concern. And, in a way, I think we're sheltered from this issue. Your generation (as well as mine) hasn't really had to address the abortion controversy. Moreover, seeing as how we live in the Northeast, we have secure access to abortion, contraception and sex ed. I think that is the real issue these days. Yes, it will take a lot to overturn Roe vs. Wade. But, does that matter if you have to travel 5 or 7 hours to find an abortion clinic? And come back multiple times? Its interesting how this issue has progressed. I have a good Frontline documentary on it. If you'd like to borrow it, ask me in class.
I feel that in the North East this isn't a concern because adequate sex-ed is what we know. However, I have several friends and family members in southern states who have never been taught any other method except abstinence, and it was incredibly scary to see a lot of the misinformation they were given.
I feel like it's dangerous to leave it up to the state because of the point you made. Another interesting issue is comes from the age of the person having an abortion. California is currently battling Proposition 8, which is portraying clinics like Planned Parenthood as institutions that perpetuate child predators forcing girls to have abortions and letting girls make "terrible, emotional mistakes". It's horrifying and almost degrading to women to think that they are not emotionally stable enough to handle their choices.
Happy Birthday :)
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