Suz, while I agree that a woman should have the right to decide what happens.....

It could also be said that the partner, if he is the paternal father of the unborn, should also have equal rights.

You see, as it stands, if a father does not want a child, yet the mother decides to habe the child, what right dies she have to finacial assistance from the father, who didnt want the commitment.

As for this abortion being murder, I can't see how anyone can murder something that has not yet been born.

Shaw, this may be a crime, but not murder, in the form of the word.

Rehctub I see where you are coming from, but while that foetus is part of a woman's body, joined with it by the placenta, then the father has less 'rights' over his child.

I'm sorry, but that is just a fact of nature.

If the father, or anyone else, causes the death of that foetus against the mothers will, then it should be murder.

I simply do not understand the need for abortions in this day and age of good, reliable contraception and the 'morning after' pill.

The state provides education and sex education so there is no need for unwanted conception to take place. Indeed what right does a woman have to obtain an abortion if she has failed to prevent a pregnancy. What right does a person have for state financed medical treatment for HIV/AIDS if one fails to have safe sex. If a DUI driver has an accident his insurance is void, because he knows he should not drive under the influence.

All young people now know that having sex is likely to result in pregnancy and Girls from 14yo can get the pill without parental knowledge.

It is even more bewildering for the need for late abortions, without medical reason. How can a woman be pregnant for months and then suddenly decide she does not want the baby. The pill, when introduced, was supposed to stop all unwanted pregnancies.

Banjo, you must have forgotten about the excitement and stupidity of young love?
Certainly it is mainly young people who have to deal with unwanted pregnancies.

Accidents happen, and ignorance about contraception happens, despite there being a variety of methods of contraception available.

The churches are responsible for some of the 'guilt' involved with using contraception, and then people risk pregnancy by having unprotected sex.

Men who don't want a baby should always ensure they correctly wear a condom with a spermicide gel, EVERY time they have sex. This will help greatly to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies due to misuse, or refusal to use ,of female contraception

There would surely then be much less need for abortions?
What do you think Banjo?

Dear Banjo,

It is surprising that you so oppose drugs in drivers but have no problem giving them to girls of 14.

Also, have you considered the case when the girl lies to the boy about using contraceptives, yet the young father has to pay for believing her for the rest of his life?

I do not support drugs, even if they happen to be made legal by the medical guild (which is no different than any other drug-pushing gang). My preferred methods are celibacy, non-penetration or castration, with condoms as a last resort: we already have way too many people on this planet.

Yuyutsu,
I do not think I ever said I oppose drugs and I never said I agree with girls of 14 being able to get the 'pill' without the parents being made aware. Libido is very powerfull in both males and females so I understand the young wanting sex, but I have trouble with the parents not being informed. They are responsible untill the child is 18, so they should have a say in it. But the law is 14.

In most cases the young father does not take responsibility, it is the taxpayer that bears the cost of raising the child.

Susie,
No I certainly do not forget the excitement of young love, the warmth and softness of a girl. NO ONE could forget that! If anything I may be a little envious of the young today. But they have other problems we never had, like drugs.

But they have the knowledge about sex and pregnancy and if they do get carried away by their emotions there is the morning after pill.

I am not against people of any age having sex but I do not see the need for all the abortions. It is not as though contraception is difficult. Take the pill when she brushes her teeth each morning, habit forming. Condoms are readily available.

I know we are a nanny state but surely people should be responsible for their action, blokes included, there would be a lot less abortions needed if all took their responsibilities seriously.

I suppose one can excuse the very young to some extent, but older people have sex and abortions as well.