Comments | abortiondebate: Terminology, revisited.

sicilianhitlist in abortiondebate

Terminology, revisited.

Feb 07, 2009 12:16

I know a terminology debate has had to have been done before, but let's revisit this ( Read more... )

Comments 78

cutout18 February 15 2009, 20:16:42 UTC

It really depends on the context of the debate ( ... )

pauraque February 15 2009, 20:46:10 UTC

Labels are only useful to the extent that the people involved in the discussion understand what they mean. Certainly "pro-abortion rights" and "anti-abortion rights" are the terms most immune to misinterpretation, but anything else probably bears further definition. But in general discussion, and especially where the *moral* status of abortion is under debate rather than the legal status, "pro-choice" and "pro-life" seem to serve well ( ... )

porcelainberry February 15 2009, 23:22:28 UTC

For purposes of debate, I'm happy to use the most neutral terms I can. Sometimes that means pro-choice/pro-life, or sometimes it's abortion rights supporter/opponent. In casual conversation, I'll say "anti-choicers," though.

Generally, I prefer to use the phrase "reproductive rights" because pro-choicers don't just care about abortion. We advocate for comprehensive sex ed and easy access to contraceptives, among other things. (As a disclaimer, I realize that *some* pro-lifers care very much about contraceptive access and sex education, but for the most part, I find that movement doesn't really advocate for those things.)

yardlong February 16 2009, 00:55:11 UTC

I don't like the term pro-life used when anti-abortion is what is meant. I am pro-life, meaning I respect life and treasure it. I say I am pro-choice on abortion, but I don't like the term anti-choice. Being pro-choice, to me, isn't the same as being pro-abortion, and the idea of anyone being pro-abortion doesn't seem right to me. One is either against abortion or not. If someone is conditional about their stance, such as saying abortion is acceptable under certain circumstances only, then they aren't anti-abortion. I'm not against abortion, but I have no desire to promote it. And more than that, I don't care to tell anyone what to do with a pregnancy unless I am asked for my opinion ( ... )

katiedarling February 16 2009, 01:44:16 UTC

This is the way it works in my mind ( ... )