At what point does abortion become the defining point of feminism?

Question

It was passed legally as a PRIVACY issue...not really a female one.

Answer 1

I haven't heard it argued that way before dmaud. Bit misanthropic but it sort of makes sense. Let them rid us of their genetic disorders (like apathy) and perhaps by some slim chance we may come out a bit better for it.

I still reckon most should be judged on top of that but I guess you can't have everything right lol

edit: wow elf I have to say self-absorbed doesn't really do justice to what you just propounded...

But yea it is interesting how it became a "right" once we gained the knowledge of how to perform it (egyptians might have been first...)

So just proves once again that rationality has allowed us to find more excuses to take life! Isn't the human race just great lol

Answer 2

I don't really understand the question.  I don't think it's got anything to do with feminism - abortions have been done for centuries.

Answer 3

Good question. I guess the answer will be similar to answer to this question: At what point did feminists start thinking that they should be able to do whatever the h**l they like whenever the h**l they like and to h**l with everyone else, including unborn children.

Answer 4

It doesn't.

Abortion is a medical procedure.

Answer 5

Abortion is an issue that crosses a lot of areas of social and political concern, and there is a basic feminist issue involved as well.

What many feminists do put forward is that people who support the right of women to have an equal place in public and social life, economic and political concerns and other areas of human endeavour must consider that women can be trusted to make important decisions about their OWN lives and bodies.

To this end, regardless of what one person or another feel about abortion, many feminists would trust the woman concerned to make the *right* decision for her life and circumstances.

Another aspect which isn't much discussed but is worth considering in a world which sees increasing levels of migration and human population movements, is that attitudes to abortion are often essentially cultural and / or religious, rather than the sort of 'natural' poition some anti-choice advocates propose.

Quite clearly there are cultures  in which abortion is seen as a routine medical issue, rather than a matter of deep religiosity or a moral concern.

Many feminists would argue that forcing one particular socio/religious point of view onto either individual people, or enture cultures, which do not share that view is not only controlling but essentially unreasonable and culturally imperialistic.

However, feminism is a broad church, as the saying goes, and there are feminists who believe abortion is wrong.

Most however, whatever their personal views, would not favour enforcing their views onto others. That's probably more the defining point than the attitude towards abortion, per se.

Cheers :-)

Answer 6

I don't think it does.

I think people just like to stir the pot.

Answer 7

Because of the extremists, like a man-hater I had to deal with named "Ms. Happy," feminism has gotten a bad rep, plus their hipocrisy during the Clinton scandals seriously hurt the movement.  Although ultimately, regarding abortion, I am very pro-choice, for a very good reason;

A woman capable of killing an unborn child, should not be breeding, and in killing any unborn kids of hers, she is already saving society the trouble.

We do not need people like that in the human gene pool, so absolutely I am pro choice.  This may sound cold blooded, even hard hearted, but being a Psychology major who was a big fan of statistics, as more or less a man of science, I have to agree with pro choice.  Again, a woman that black hearted, should not be breeding, and if she is making it a point not to bring any more people like her into the world, all the better for the human race.

So let them have the choice; it saves the justice system and law enforcement the trouble of frying any male children who could turn out to be murderers.  Think about it; a woman capable of killing an unborn baby for convenience's sake, more than anything else, will likely give birth to a man, who will turn out to be a sociopath, a killer, or a rapist, or otherwise a man who can cause society considerable harm.  Or she could give birth to a girl so abusive to her own son, he grows up to be a serial killer.  If she is capable of making the decision, if she is cold blooded enough to go through with it, when there is no justifiable reason (e.g. rape, incest, or a genetic disorder), then absolutely she should have the choice.

Why give birth to a potential criminal?  Why wait for someone to grow up, and cause harm to countless people, suffering that sometimes can never be repaired?

In choosing abortion, again, such a woman could be sparing many untold grief, and it makes the work of honest cops that much easier in the long term.

Food for thought, my apologies to people who are pro life, I know how strongly you feel.

P.S.

To answer your question more to the point; abortion became a defining point of feminism because it is a weapon that has been used by conservatives to malign the movement.  With considerable success I might add, given the cultural feelings even among left wing Christians.  Conservatives have won over, regarding the abortion issue, even some left wingers, namely, by playing on their Christian faith.

Food for thought, in line with what I typed above; did you know that Saddam Hussein's mother tried to abort him?

She wasn't successful and look how that turned out.  If anyone is proof for the above argument I made for pro choice above, its Saddam Hussein.

Answer 8

Abortion is one of several reproductive options that make it possible for women to choose their path in life.  

In the absence of contraceptives and abortion, women had no choice but to bear children...but with these technological advances, women who wish to remain unfettered by the responsibility that children entail may do so -- which enables them to obtain higher education and pursue professional careers.

Equal opportunity is not really possible without the means to control reproduction.

I would not say abortion is a defining point of feminism, but reproductive rights are, and abortion is a subset of reproductive rights.

Answer 9

When Feminists say that it frees women from "Slavery" of bearing children. Or when they believe that it gives them God like powers (i.e give life, and also destroy it.)

Answer 10

Go to any feminist organization website and you'll see abortion as a top issue.