Is there such a thing as women's rights when it comes to my appendectomy?

[apocalypsehow]

Poll question: Is there such a thing as women's rights when it comes to my appendectomy?

When I was a sophomore in college, one of the best professors I ever had suggested that we men should frame the pro-choice/anti-choice question this very way before we once opened our mouths and presumed to start telling women what we think about abortion. I have never forgotten it. That was the day my Catholic upbringing on this issue and I parted company forever. Let's see what you think.

[noamnety]

1. Yes

If the woman was partly responsible for it by filling you up with a low fiber diet, then I think she should get a say. :)

[apocalypsehow]

8. LOL!

:-)

[undeterred]

2. No, but I'd like to watch.

:hi:

[apocalypsehow]

7. Ugh! I'm too squeamish, I about passed out when my wife delivered our first!

:hi:

[RB TexLa]

3. I have the same answer I did to the other poll. No one male or female is subject to anyone

in regards to their body. Nothing that goes on in my body is anyone's business, if I were diagnosed with cancer, my wife has no right to know that. If I have a vasectomy or anything else done to me, she has no right to know that.

[ZombieHorde]

4. Apples and oranges.

An abortion is very different than an appendectomy.

[apocalypsehow]

5. Please elaborate.

n/t.

[ZombieHorde]

13. OK.

An appendectomy is just an operation in our society. An abortion is an operation and more.

There are various religious beliefs instilled at a young age surrounding the issue, as we are all well aware of.

There is the belief, held by many, that abortion is baby murder. You may have seen the bumper-stickers; "Abortion Stops a Beating Heart". If someone truly believed that abortion is baby murder, how could they not try to discourage it? Most people would try to stop the murder of a one year old, why not a minus one year old?

Some woman report feelings of depression and/or serious guilt after the procedure and/or on the anniversary of the procedure. An old co-worker of mine suffered from this.

Some women and men feel that the fetus is the fathers too. "We're pregnant!" I imagine that some fathers would hate to loose their first child.

Appendectomies are all scientific, except with a little anxiety about the operation and perhaps very few religions frowning. Abortions are scientific and deeply emotional. This is apparent just by the tones of the abortion debate.

[apocalypsehow]

14. Thank you for you response, but I think you misunderstand my premise. Let us assume everything you

stated in your reply is 100% accurate (I don't by a long stretch, and am going to pick a bone with you about one part of it in particular, but now just for the sake of argument): what interest does any segment of our society have in either my appendectomy or a woman's abortion?

The answer is none, at least in a society that values personal autonomy and the right to privacy. Folks are free to exercise their "religious" or personal beliefs about abortion all they wish: in the case of women who oppose abortion, they can elect not to have one in the event of a pregnancy; in the case of men, they can either abstain from sexual intercourse or get their gonads snipped.

Now, to this statement: "Most people would try to stop the murder of a one year old, why not a minus one year old?"

Putting aside the incoherence of the phrase "minus one year old," let me tell you why: a fetus is not a baby. A delivered infant is a baby. Now, in the United States the law actually removes the option for women to exercise autonomy over their bodies at a certain stage of what is called the fetus's "viability." After that "viability" you may have a legal argument about abrogating a woman's right to choose (though not a moral one, IMHO); but, please, let's not pretend that aborting a fetus has the slightest moral resemblance to actual infanticide. It doesn't.

[ZombieHorde]

15. I was not stating my beliefs, I was stating what I believe others believe.

what interest does any segment of our society have in either my appendectomy or a woman's abortion?

It depends on your personal belief system. If you believe that abortion is baby murder, then society does have an interest in it.

The answer is none, at least in a society that values personal autonomy and the right to privacy.

I believe that many in the U.S. do not want to live in such a society. Illegal wiretapping comes to mind.

a fetus is not a baby. A delivered infant is a baby.

Not everybody believes this. I once heard; "You are not having a baby, you have a baby." I found this phrase very interesting because it shined light on the pro-life mind.

but, please, let's not pretend that aborting a fetus has the slightest moral resemblance to actual infanticide. It doesn't.

I believe, that many people believe, that on a moral level: Abortion = Infanticide. Many people believe that God gives out souls at conception, and therefor it is a great moral offense to have an abortion.

p.s. Sorry for my awkward sentences. I am an awkward person.

[noamnety]

16. Well, it's not really deeply emotional for the guy

if he's unaware of it. :)

[The Straight Story]

6. Yes, because it can affect my insurance rates, just like smoking

so we need to regulate it :)

[apocalypsehow]

9. Ah, but that would be a state/government interest (and it may well be legitimate),

but is there a compelling interest among the population at large, or a segment of it, unconnected to a rational societal benefit? In other words, based solely on ideology or religious beliefs? :-)

[The Straight Story]

10. Hell if I know - but I hear it all the time here

:rofl:

[apocalypsehow]

11. Oh, I see what you're saying, and you're right. That argument does seem to pop up quite a bit when

it comes to personal autonomy issues on DU. I see what you're driving at. :hi:

[The Straight Story]

12. And that was your 1000th post

good on ya :)

[spoony]

17. Dunno, did the woman help in creating said appendix?

What an utterly stupid analogy.