What is a pro-life?

No disrespect intended, Cheri, but abortion is legal only since Roe v. Wade, and the law since that time has specifically limited elective abortions to the end of the first trimester..

It depends on the states laws on abortion restrictions.

"At that time, abortion was completely illegal in 33 states except when necessary to save the life of the mother. The remaining 17 states allowed abortion in various circumstances. The most permissive, New York, allowed abortion for any reason up to 24 weeks, though New York did not allow third trimester abortions for "emotional health" as required by the Supreme Court. "

Roe V Wade - The Unconstitutional Decision

Back then in Ohio, they did allow abortions up to 24 weeks, but I'm not sure if they change the restrictions
 
It depends on the states laws on abortion restrictions.

"At that time, abortion was completely illegal in 33 states except when necessary to save the life of the mother. The remaining 17 states allowed abortion in various circumstances. The most permissive, New York, allowed abortion for any reason up to 24 weeks, though New York did not allow third trimester abortions for "emotional health" as required by the Supreme Court. "

Roe V Wade - The Unconstitutional Decision

Back then in Ohio, they did allow abortions up to 24 weeks, but I'm not sure if they change the restrictions

Prior to Roe, most abortions were illegal in most states. California and Colorado (in 1967) were the first states to legalize abortion in selective circumstances (rape, incest, severe handicap or pregnancies that threatened the life of the mother). In 1970, New York, Alaska, Washington and Hawaii became the only states to offer an "unrestricted" abortion policy similar to the one established through Roe v. Wade

Abort73.com || State Abortion Laws

As a result, between 1966 and 1973, some fourteen states reformed their statutes to legally permit abortions for therapeutic reasons, when the fetus could be born with a serious mental or physical handicap, and/or when pregnancy was the result of incest or rape. Four additional states, New York.

Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, went as far as to allow abortions on demand upon fulfillment only of certain procedural requirements concerning the location of abortion facilities, the stage of fetal development, and the pregnant woman's place of residency (Cabot 1980:109-111; Segers & Byrnes 1995:3-4).
This liberalization of abortion laws led to several, sometimes successful attempts to challenge the constitutionality of the statutes at the state level, accompanied by increased efforts to lobby for reform in the state legislatures, intensified mobilization on the part of reform and repeal movements, and some much-publicized prosecutions of abortionists (Faux 1988:114-224; Rodman, Sarvis & Bonar 1987:94-101). On one occasion, in the case of United States v. Vuitch (1971), the Supreme Court stepped in and overturned the dismissal of an indictment brought against a physician who had performed abortions The Court ruled that the considered abortion statute of the District of Columbia was not unconstitutionally vague, but it did not pass judgment on the legality or illegality of abortion.

The Boundaries of Abortion Law (by Mathieu Deflem)

I'm pretty sure that you are at least 10 years younger than I am, and in 1966 when 14 states passed laws to allow for therapeutic abortions only, I was only 12 years old. Prior to 1966, all abortions were illegal. Even when Roe v Wade was made law, if, as I estimate, you are at least 10 years younger than me, you would have only been 8 years old in 1973. That means, if you had an abortion after 1973, it could only be performed as an elective procedure until the end of the third trimester, or a maximum of 12 weeks after your last period. If you had an abortion prior to 1973, it could only be performed in 14 states, and it had to be for therapeutic reasons.
 
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If I got raped, I sure wouldn't want to hear anyone's opinion on this or that. I probably would be just in an absulote state of shock that someone actually did something like this to me and I would be frightened. It wouldn't be the time or place for anyone to share their opinions or beliefs. I would just want support and someone just to make me feel safe again.

I am sure many rape victims arent interested in hearing somoene's opinions about abortion and whatnot. I think all they want to is to feel safe again.

Exactly, one of my family members are the victim of rape and she decide to keep her son, and today she felt so close to her son compare to her another children.
 
If I got raped, I sure wouldn't want to hear anyone's opinion on this or that. I probably would be just in an absulote state of shock that someone actually did something like this to me and I would be frightened. It wouldn't be the time or place for anyone to share their opinions or beliefs. I would just want support and someone just to make me feel safe again.

I am sure many rape victims arent interested in hearing somoene's opinions about abortion and whatnot. I think all they want to is to feel safe again.

Yes I second that.

I would never, never, never advise them to keep or not keep the baby and share my view about abortion issues but give my loving support to them because they deserves it.

I would recommend them to see counselor or therapist who can help them deal with those issues before they able to make their own decision about abortion issues IF they ask me for my opinion. It´s mainly important for them to follow their HEART if they really want to keep the baby or not. It´s their own free choice.

If you choose to continue with pregnancy then make sure it´s your own free will, not get influence from someone who told you negative about abortion issues etc. Don´t owe your body to anyone but follow your own heart and feeling because it´s your responsible to take care of your own body, not anyone. It´s your decision either you can raise a child with responsiblity or not.
 
Jillio--


"D&E — dilation and evacuation — is another abortion method. D&E is usually performed later than 16 weeks after a woman's last period. Less than 1 out of 10 abortions in the United States happen during this time. After 24 weeks of pregnancy, abortions are performed only for serious health reasons."

Planned Parenthood Abortion Procedures

I was 18 weeks and in the second trimester, and that's 5 months pregnant.
 
Jillio--


"D&E — dilation and evacuation — is another abortion method. D&E is usually performed later than 16 weeks after a woman's last period. Less than 1 out of 10 abortions in the United States happen during this time. After 24 weeks of pregnancy, abortions are performed only for serious health reasons."

Planned Parenthood Abortion Procedures

I was 18 weeks and in the second trimester, and that's 5 months pregnant.

And you said previously that your health was not at risk. Therefore, an abortion perfoprmed past the first trimester, if your health was not at risk, would have been illegal. The type of procedure is irrelevant. There are many types of procedures that are used, dependent upon the situation. Prior to Roe v Wade, in fact, the most common procedures for abortion after the first trimenster, performed ONLY when the mother's helath or life was at risk, was what they called a "mini-ceasarean" or a partial hysterectomy. D & C, or evacution cannot be performed in later stages. And actually, 18 weeks is considered to be 4.5 months in gestation. It would not be labled as 5 months until the end of the 20th week. And the weeks are counted from the date of your last period not from the date of conception. Pregnancy is determined in time from two weeks prior to the suspected date of conception. So, if one is considered to be 18 weeks pregnant, the fetus has been present for 16 weeks.

But I'm still confused about how old you were when all this took place. If it was before Roe v Wade, which became Federal law in 1973, you must have been a young child.
 
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I do not care if you don't believe me. I believe it was in 1986, I was 15 years old or 16 at that time.
 
Before and after Roe v. Wade, there have been always, and there will be always, people (women, parents, doctors, abortion "providers", etc.) who have and will lie about conception dates, conception circumstances, and health issues in order to get what they want. Also, for the right money, people will sometimes "look the other way." Where there is a will, there is a way, no matter what the laws are. I don't think any further details are necessary.
 
Before and after Roe v. Wade, there have been always, and there will be always, people (women, parents, doctors, abortion "providers", etc.) who have and will lie about conception dates, conception circumstances, and health issues in order to get what they want. Also, for the right money, people will sometimes "look the other way." Where there is a will, there is a way, no matter what the laws are. I don't think any further details are necessary.

And it is also illegal. Which just goes to show that revocation of the current abortion laws based on the ruling of Roe v Wade will not stop abortion. In fact, it will serve to increase the chance of death or serious injury for the woman seeking the abortion, and abortions will be performed at later points in gestation due to the lack of immediate availablitity.
 
Before and after Roe v. Wade, there have been always, and there will be always, people (women, parents, doctors, abortion "providers", etc.) who have and will lie about conception dates, conception circumstances, and health issues in order to get what they want. Also, for the right money, people will sometimes "look the other way." Where there is a will, there is a way, no matter what the laws are. I don't think any further details are necessary.

Are you actually saying that abortion clinic broke the law, the one I was at?
 
Are you actually saying that abortion clinic broke the law, the one I was at?

If it was before 1973, and your life or your health were not at risk, and it was performed in any state other than the ones I cited in my previous post, then the law was broken. If it was performed after 1973, and your life or health were not at risk, then it was illegal in any state. This is based on the fact that you have stated that you were 18 weeks along.
 
If it was before 1973, and your life or your health were not at risk, and it was performed in any state other than the ones I cited in my previous post, then the law was broken. If it was performed after 1973, and your life or health were not at risk, then it was illegal in any state. This is based on the fact that you have stated that you were 18 weeks along.

Well then abortion clinics shouldn't keep their business open if they are lawbreakers, not everyone knows the laws, especially teens.

It's a scary thought when abortion clinics act like they're above the law has the power to do whatever they wishes to do. I feel like I gonna throw up.
 
Well then abortion clinics shouldn't keep their business open if they are lawbreakers, not everyone knows the laws, especially teens.

It's a scary thought when abortion clinics act like they're above the law has the power to do whatever they wishes to do. I feel like I gonna throw up.

I've got news for you. It isn't only doctors that were prosecuted for illegal abortions prior to Roe V Wade. It was the women seeking those abortions that were prosecuted, as well. And anyone else involved.

And clinics remain open because there is a demand. The illegal practitioners would not have done the procedure if there wasn't a demand for it. Before Roe V Wade, except in the states I have posted, all abortion was illegal, and the woman seeking the abortion, her husband or family that sought the abortion for her, and the doctor and anyone assisting him was guilty of breaking the law, and could do jail time. If I were you, I'd be glad that you weren't caught.
 
Abortion laws for minors are different in each of the United States. Here is a listing of what laws each state has, current as of January 15, 2007:

Alabama

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.
Allows abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest and neglect without parental consent.

Alaska

No policy in effect.
**Minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent.

Arizona

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.
Allows abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest and neglect without parental consent.

Arkansas

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.
Allows abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest and neglect without parental consent.

California

No policy in effect.
**Minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent.

Colorado

Requires parental notification, parents do not have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Connecticut

No policy in effect.
**Minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent.

Delaware

Requires parental notification, parents do not have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows minor to obtain consent from other relatives as an alternative to parents’ consent. Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Florida

Requires parental notification, parents do not have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Georgia

Requires parental notification, parents do not have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Hawaii, Idaho

No policy in effect.
**Minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent.
Illinois No policy in effect. **Minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent.

Indiana

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Iowa

Requires parental notification and parents have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows minor to obtain consent from other relatives as an alternative to parents’ consent. Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.
Allows abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest and neglect without parental consent.

Kansas

Requires parental notification and parents have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.
Allows abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest and neglect without parental consent.

Kentucky

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Louisiana

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.

Maine

Requires parental notification and parents have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows minor to obtain consent from other relatives as an alternative to parents’ consent.

Maryland

Requires parental notification and parents have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.

Massachusetts

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.

Michigan

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Minnesota

Requires parental notification - both parents, parents do not have to consent.
Allows minor to bypass parent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.
Allows abortion in cases of abuse, assault, incest and neglect without parental consent.

Mississippi

Requires parental consent - both parents.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.
Allows abortion in medical emergency without parental consent.

Missouri

Requires parental consent - one parent.
Allows minor to bypass parent’s consent by obtaining a court approval.

Montana

No policy in effect.
**Minors can obtain an abortion without parental consent.

You can look up under the state laws informations. So some teenagers are aware of it. No offense.
 
All I was saying, Cheri, was that the doctors who performed illegal abortions were not the only ones that were considered guilty under the law. I wasn't talking about you as a teenager. If you didn't know the law, that's fine. But you said you were "forced" to have an abortion. Whoever "forced" you was an adult, and had to go through the process of finding an illegal abortion clinic to do the procedure. Therefore, they knew the law, and under the law, would have been as guilty as the doctor. This doesn't have anything to do with anything other than what the law was and is. And the law is something that has to be considered in the issue of whether or not you support the overturning of Roe v Wade.

This is getting way out of hand. Too many contradicitons in statements, and emotion presented as fact.
 
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Debates on emotional and personal topics such as this always tax the concept of freedom of speech. This is citizenship of the highest order . . . to calmly discuss what makes you seethe inside, but those are the rules at AD, so follow them or only read this thread.
 
Think this thread is going nowhere. Getting too emotional.
I understand some who are pro-life can have a diffent view than other pro-lifers........same goes for pro-choicers......may vote pro-choice but yes it is a difficult vote since it involves 'life'...don't assume all pro-choicers are callous and indifferent..... Allow others thier choice in vote without laying guilt trips.
But it still comes down to 'which way would you vote'. We all have our thoughts on it outside of our vote choice.
 
Contrary to the pervasive myth that women were prosecuted for abortion before Roe, consistent state abortion policy for a century before Roe was not to prosecute women. Abortionists were the exclusive target of the law. That was based on three policy judgments: the point of abortion law is effective enforcement against abortionists, the woman is the second victim of abortion, and prosecuting women is counterproductive to the goal of effective enforcement of the law against abortionists.

In fact, the irony is that in nearly all of the reported court cases explicitly addressing the issue of whether a woman was an accomplice to her abortion, it was the abortionist (not the prosecutor) who pushed the courts to treat the woman as an accomplice, for the obvious purpose of undermining the state’s criminal case against the abortionist (including the abortionist Ruth Barnett when Oregon last prosecuted her in 1968).

Leslie Reagan, in her 1997 book When Abortion Was a Crime, admits that states did not prosecute women for their abortions and concedes that the purpose behind that law was not to degrade women but to protect them.

The wisdom of not prosecuting women was based on extensive practical law enforcement experience in many states, over many years....
AUL President Clarke D. Forsythe, Esq.
AUL President Clarke Forsythe in National Review Online | Americans United for Life Blog
 
Just because the law chose not to prosecute them is not an indication that under the strict interpretation of the laws as written, they were not in a position to be prosecuted if that action was chosen.
I think it proves an apology and retraction are in order:

"If I were you, I'd be glad that you weren't caught."
 
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