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Apr. 14th, 2004
Inflammatory question
Apr. 14th, 2004 12:49 amSo, my girlfroends and I were at a NARAL fundraiser this evening, and Miss D was telling us how she got into a huge argument / discussion with her boss today on the whole abortion debate (she's, clearly pro, he was against). And he actually said to her something along the lines of "Well, when you have kids of your own, you'll understand." ....the hell?
My reaction to that was "Ha! I have kids, and I *do* understand." Somehow, I doubt that's what he meant.
But I have to say that as rabidly pro-choice as I was before I had the Widget, becoming a mother has only strengthened and cemented my belief in my stance. Because now I know how grueling pregnancy is (and I had an entirely healthy, completely problem free pregnancy). Because now I know how consuming and HUGE motherhood is (you think you know beforehand, but it's WAY more than you expect, IMHO). And so on and so forth.
Now I'm wondering if my reaction is the unusual one. So, now I'm asking my lovely friends for their opinions. Mostly the parent types, but others should feel free to chime in. I'm particularly interested in whether you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life and how strongly, and if the experience of becoming a parent changed your position at all - made it stronger, on either side? Made you move more towards the middle? Didn't change it one whit? If it did change, why do you think that is?
Hopefully unnecessary disclaimers: 1. I will not flame anyone for their beliefs, I'm capable of seeing both sides of the issue and accepting that what people believe belongs to them and isn't for me to pass judgement on. 2. Anyone who flames me for being pro-choice is right out. 3. Anyone who flames anyone else here on either side is also RIGHT out. 4. I *love* to engage in friendly debate on the topic, if anyone is interested. I will assume no one is interested unless explicitly told otherwise.
My reaction to that was "Ha! I have kids, and I *do* understand." Somehow, I doubt that's what he meant.
But I have to say that as rabidly pro-choice as I was before I had the Widget, becoming a mother has only strengthened and cemented my belief in my stance. Because now I know how grueling pregnancy is (and I had an entirely healthy, completely problem free pregnancy). Because now I know how consuming and HUGE motherhood is (you think you know beforehand, but it's WAY more than you expect, IMHO). And so on and so forth.
Now I'm wondering if my reaction is the unusual one. So, now I'm asking my lovely friends for their opinions. Mostly the parent types, but others should feel free to chime in. I'm particularly interested in whether you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life and how strongly, and if the experience of becoming a parent changed your position at all - made it stronger, on either side? Made you move more towards the middle? Didn't change it one whit? If it did change, why do you think that is?
Hopefully unnecessary disclaimers: 1. I will not flame anyone for their beliefs, I'm capable of seeing both sides of the issue and accepting that what people believe belongs to them and isn't for me to pass judgement on. 2. Anyone who flames me for being pro-choice is right out. 3. Anyone who flames anyone else here on either side is also RIGHT out. 4. I *love* to engage in friendly debate on the topic, if anyone is interested. I will assume no one is interested unless explicitly told otherwise.
