Posted by shar on January 11, 2001, at 12:08:33
In reply to Pro-choice, posted by S. Howard on January 9, 2001, at 22:01:11
I used to work in a clinic where abortions were performed. I was a "counselor" which meant my job was to make sure that the woman I was talking to had made her decision of her own free will, knew all of the alternatives, had discussed this with close friends or family, was not under undue pressure to have the procedure, and was really choosing to terminate the pregnancy.
I guess that's the "choice" part of pro-choice. It might surprise you the number of women who had been pressured by family or the boyfriend/spouse--which adds a whole different level of concern for her.
There was the occasional (rare) individual who had numerous abortions, and--for me--the former nun and other "pro lifers," the woman in her 50's who I saw time 1 and time 2--she thought she could not get pregnant due to being menopausal. She did finally ask her husband to get a vasectomy.
There were also the women I turned away, told to go home and think carefully about all of their options, talk to their boyfriend or whomever, and come to a clear decision. Having the procedure had to be their choice because they would be living with it the rest of their lives.
But, mostly, the women I saw tended to be young, distraught, scared, feeling guilty, and yet knew it would be best for them at that time. I never knew one woman, as Racer said, for whom it was an easy choice.
Thank god they had the choice to have a safe medical procedure.
Shar
poster:shar
thread:3753
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010105/msgs/3853.html