Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ut-ngp.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!watkins From: watkins@ut-ngp.UUCP Newsgroups: net.abortion Subject: Avoiding hasty abortion decisions Message-ID: <411@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Tue, 20-Mar-84 18:00:19 EST Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.411 Posted: Tue Mar 20 18:00:19 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 21-Mar-84 04:55:53 EST Organization: Comp. Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin Lines: 47 ----- There are many events that will happen in our lives which can cloud good judgement. When a family member dies, we can find ourselves talked into almost any burial package; when we get really angry, we can often say or do something that we will later regret. In the example of the imminent funeral, we have no choice but to make our decisions quickly, however, in the case of anger, we do have a choice. We can sit back, count to ten, and take a fresher look at the problem. When things are really tense, this often seems impossible. In many states, there are what I shall call "Smoking Gun" laws. These laws require that after a gun (handgun?) is purchased, a waiting period of days is required so that the gun cannot be bought and used immediately (I imagine it also allows for police record checks.) By forcing what may be a cooling off period, more intelligent decisions can be made. I propose we do the same with abortions. Now owning a gun isn't unlawful. You have a right in this country to own a gun, like it or not. Neither is getting an abortion, like it or not. Abortion is one of those times when strong emotions are involved. Very few people want to make poor decisions, but when faced with an unwanted child, and an immediately solution like abortion available, few or none of the options are explored. How about this? A woman finds out she is pregnant. Instead of being able to get the abortion immediately, she goes by the abortion clinic and makes her intent known. She is then given a government booklet or asked to visit a government information official who will present a package with materials supplied by numerous agencies that explain options also available to her. In this way, she can base her decision on all the facts available. She may find that solutions besides the trauma of abortion are available. Many groups exist that will help with the costs and emotions of pregnancy and many pregnant women might find these solutions easier to live with. Others may proceed with their original plan. A waiting period of at least several days seems good. To be fair. I am against the use of abortion. It is something I feel very uncomfortable with and I wish it were unheard of. I don't know what the best solutions are. But I can understand that finding out about an unwanted pregnancy is a very stressful time and that quick decistions might not be rational decisions. Morgan Watkins