Hello all,
Sorry it took so long to post! You think with all this snow I would be doing homework and being productive. Sadly, not true. But here I am, ready to blog for the very first time.
I know that we are going to cover abortion in 16 and Pregnant later in the class. I'm sure we will read some literature on the subject and discuss how there have only been a few women portrayed on 16 and Pregnant who have choosen an abortion. But there is some disturbing news that has come out recently that I thought I could pair with what we are learning in class.
We have learned so far in class that 16 and pregnant, though declaired by some to be an affective form of birth control, does not accuratly portray the statistics on teen pregnancy. And obviously this applies to abortion statistics with teen pregnancy as well. According to the article on Feministing,http://feministing.com/2010/12/27/mtvs-16-and-pregnant-to-air-special-on-abortion-tomorrow/, nearly a third of teen pregnancies end in abortion. Abortion is hardly even an option discussed on 16 and Pregnant. In Kailyn's episode she briefly mentions abortion but quickly moves on from the subject. In most episodes it is not even discussed as an option. If we really want to use 16 and Pregnant as a teaching opportunity we must show the realities of teenage pregnancy, and show the options that young women have.
But abortion may not be an option for all women soon. Just recently a bill was proposed to stop federal funding for abortions for women who have been raped. The bill requires that funding only go to abortions to women who have been forcibly raped. This excludes statutory or coerced rape. http://feministing.com/2011/01/31/what-you-can-do-to-stop-the-no-taxpayer-funding-for-abortion-act/
This article describes the details of the bill. I understand that this is loosely associated with 16 and Pregnant, maybe I am stretching. But I thought it was worth getting the word out there that women are not given the option to choose what happens to thier bodies, even when they have been violated. And not having options or accurate information does apply to 16 and Pregnant.
If you want to do something, you can sign a petition at this website. http://pol.moveon.org/smithbill/?rc=fb.share.smithbill.1.2
Hope you all stayed warm!
Brittany W.
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ReplyDeleteI certainly agree that teenagers who become pregnant or who may become pregnant are not fully education on their options. Some teenagers grow up in a household where abortion is not considered an option or where abortion is the only option. Whether it’s an option or not, the girls may be very oblivious to the effects the procedure or even the birth has on their body.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the reason abortion is not shown often on 16 and Pregnant due to the controversial nature of the subject. MTV could be concerned with the criticism and backslash that the show or even the girls might receive depending on their decision.
In an online follow up ( http://www.mtv.com/videos/no-easy-decision-special/1654990/playlist.jhtml ), Markai and James find out they are pregnant with their second child. They both feel like they are unable to finically bring another child into their family. Markai seriously considers her options and looks very intensely into abortion. As the couple struggles to make this decision they are forced to educate themselves on abortion procedures and the consequences including the emotions that follow. Ultimately they made the decided to abort the “ball of cells” in order to make a better life for their current child.
However, women no matter the age should be properly educated on the options that are available to them and their consequences.
Kristi H.
I agree with you also but if you really think about the only options besides having the baby is abortion and adoption. As Kristi states that abortion is not really talked about and neither is adoption. Its okay to give the baby up for adoption if you do not have to means to take care of the child.
ReplyDeleteIndia M.
The article from "Feministing" was really intriguing. The issues you mentioned are not even all the changes that this new bill will make. Here is one I thought was really interesting:
ReplyDelete" This bill narrows the “life of the mother” exceptions to include only physical threats to the life of the mother. If carrying to term a pregnancy that you do not want might make you suicidal, or if giving up a baby for adoption might be more than you can emotionally bear, too damn bad. No abortion coverage unless the pregnancy causes a risk to your physical health."
Someone with mental health issues falls in this category. Who is affected most by these restrictions? Not the middle to upper class women who can afford to get an abortion and/or be able to pay for a therapist of psychiatry but the lower-middle class and lower class that need the coverage and in many cases are unable to get it. This bill essentially narrows the options for the girls/women that need it the most. This is what I found most disturbing. There should be increased coverage for those who wouldn't be able to have (because of financial reasons)an abortion. As a society, condoning this bill will set us back several years of progress in ensuring that women have rights and options and that we are a country that seeks to provide them to everyone despite their pocket books.
Megan Z