Sweden Rules Gender Based Abortion 'OK'

Well, I've taken an interest this past week in reading up on some feminist bloggers. In doing that, I inadvertently came across this:

http://www.thelocal.se/19392/20090512/

First, perhaps it would be best for me to explain my stance on abortion. I used to feel like abortion was completely ok, in my teens, because my mother had brought me up to feel that way. In my first semester of college, I took a class in personal health and was required to write a research paper on a topic of my choice. I chose "Reciprocal Effects of Mother and Fetus During Gestation." The research required me to take an in depth look at the stages of fetal development. I discovered that in my personal opinion, during the first three months the fetus is, just that, a fetus. However, though I do not consider it to be yet human, it is alive. And so, having an abortion is the destruction of a living thing, and a potential human being. Yet I remain to be pro-choice. I feel that the government has no place in decisions of morality. I also feel, as is only logical, that a woman has every right to an abortion if her baby is dead, her baby will die shortly after birth, being pregnant has caused severe and potentially life threatening complications to the mother, giving birth will cause severe and potentially life threatening complications for the mother or the baby, or the woman has been raped. Basically, my stance boils down to abortion is not a form of birth control and should not be considered a method of birth control. If you were irresponsible enough not to use birth control in sex, then it is your responsibility to pay for that mistake, instead of letting a potential human being suffer for it.

Now, about the article. It appalls me that there is a woman who wanted an abortion based on gender, much less that there was actually a judge that ruled in her favor. This is a new level of right and wrong which goes beyond abortion as a method of birth control. This is destroying a potential child because it isn't what you want it to be. Destroying something that isn't what you want, in itself, isn't so bad when it's maybe a blog post, or an art project. But to destroy a living thing, regardless of human or potentially human or even a dog or potential dog or a bug, I don't care what it is, if it is life, is beyond immoral. Not only should gender based abortion be illegal, but anyone considering it should be committed.

I take issue with this for two reasons. If it is a living thing it shouldn't be destroyed just because it's inconvenient. That's actually how I feel about all abortions really. And the second reason this disturbs me is the same reason it is disturbing to me for people to get plastic surgery. Instead of dealing with imperfections, or dealing with the fact that you don't meet someone else's standards, you change or destroy yourself. Only this is worse. Instead of someone destroying themselves for not meeting someone else's standards, someone is destroying them for not meeting their standards.

Me, What I Write About, and Why I Write

I am a woman scorned and hell hath no fury like me. I am angry. I am angry about hate and closed-mindedness. And I am angry that no one in my life seems to care. I am an opinionated person, and I can't be satisfied with only debating myself, and logic-ing myself into forming an opinion. I am compelled to know others opinions and to give mine to them. I read blogs because I truly want to know what other people think and I often find myself reading and saying to myself "I never thought about it that way." I write because I want the chance to be that for someone else. I write because maybe blogging about my opinions won't change the world, but it sure as hell makes me feel better. I write because if I reach just one person, then maybe we'll be just one person closer to making the world a better place. I'm an idealist. So sue me.

Don't take that as arrogance either. I recognize I'm certainly nowhere near perfect, and part of open-mindedness means recognizing my opinions aren't always the right ones. But a different opinion, even a wrong one, if it presents a new way of looking at things will always bring the human race at least one step further to knowing the truth of right and wrong. I write about my opinions, and I welcome respectful opinions in return. I write about religion and my thoughts on it. Religious posts are from an agnostic view, but opinions from any point of view will be welcomed. I do not write with hate or superiority in my heart, only enlightenment. I want users to be able to read without expecting to be offended. I write about sexism. I am a feminist and proud, but anyone who disagrees with my philosophy is welcome to express opposition, so long as they can do so with respect. I write about racism. I write about ageism. I write about homophobia. I write about my value of equality for all regardless of wealth, age, creed, race, nationality, sex, or sexuality. I write about my ideals, my philosophies, and my political views. I write about what I think, of anything and everything. There is only one demographic mentioned above for which I do not have first person experience with discrimination. And so I write from my heart, not my ass.

Who am I? I am a woman scorned, but you can call me Emily. I am 19 and currently engaged to my love, George. Our wedding will be in summer 2012. I am studying in college as an English and philosophy double major. I plan to start out in editing, working my way up to copyeditor. Eventually I want to do some college teaching, preferably philosophy. And of course I plan to write my whole life. If I could do anything I wanted and receive a steady paycheck I would be a novelist. As it is I plan to write freelance (look for me when I start getting published!).

That is who I am, that is what I write about, and that is why I write. I love to write and I hope to bring my opinions to those who love to read. Welcome to my blog and enjoy!