Now, “post-abortion syndrome” is bullshit — in women and men. That isn’t to say that some women don’t experience feelings of sadness, regret or depression after abortion — some do, and that should be recognized and honored. But it’s not a universal experience; the majority of women report “relief” as their chief post-abortion emotion. And more women experience depression after childbirth than after abortion.

But that’s not here nor there, since this article isn’t about women at all — it’s about men. Men whose partners terminated pregnancies, and who now want to tell other women that they can’t make the same choice.

(...)

I don’t doubt that there are some men out there who feel sad or depressed about the abortions their partners have had. Those feelings should be respected, and I hope the men do find ways to work through their feelings.

But this is about entitlement. It’s about men thinking that their feelings trump women’s most basic human rights. It’s about misogyny — and it’s no surprise that the men involved have long histories of it, well before their stints in the anti-choice movement.

Of course men have the right to political opinions. Of course they have the right to grieve, and to define their own experiences. But they don’t get to use their feelings as justification to curb my rights. Because at the end of the day, their co-opting of women’s actual experiences isn’t being used for healing; it’s being used as a tool to promote forced pregnancy. And that, no matter how you slice it, is a tool of oppression.

Abortion: It’s All About Teh Men

Interesting topic Catwoman and I guess this article is referring universally? Or just in the USA?

Where has the research been done?

Between a married couple, the decision of abortion should be a joint one, based on circumstance or medical reasons. It takes two people to begin a child and that child will belong to both partners. In my opinion the circumstances change if the couple are not married, but still it should be a joint decision if the relationship is solid, and more or less based on the same reasons as being married. Now when it comes down to a more casual relationship, it should be the woman’s choice. But the trouble with some societies today, abortion is being used as a form of contraception and there are girls have several abortions but no sad, forlorn man behind them. The have done it by themselves.

If this article is talking about political stance on abortion or that of religion, then I agree, that abortion should be a personal choice not one of policy makers or religious figures (and yes, generally men who really don’t have a clue). At the same time, there should be rules and laws on abortion and these should be set by medical practitioners with sound medical evidence to back up the policies. Abortion should not be seen as an easy option, but I have firm beliefs that it should be justified by either strong economic or medical reasons.

“Of course men have the right to political opinions. Of course they have the right to grieve, and to define their own experiences. But they don’t get to use their feelings as justification to curb my rights. Because at the end of the day, their co-opting of women’s actual experiences isn’t being used for healing; it’s being used as a tool to promote forced pregnancy. And that, no matter how you slice it, is a tool of oppression.”

This second part of this statement bothers me, in as much as this woman appears to be advocating abortion as a form of contraception. Why should her rights be curbed, what about the rights of the unborn child that she has chosen to conceive? No-one is forced to get pregnant; there are plenty of methods to stop unwanted pregnancies. I don’t see this as oppression but surely it comes down to responsibility, if in a relationship then a joint responsibility, but as for casual sex, then the individuals responsibility, not only to prevent unwanted pregnancies but also to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

“But that’s not here nor there, since this article isn’t about women at all — it’s about men. Men whose partners terminated pregnancies, and who now want to tell other women that they can’t make the same choice.”

Where is the evidence to back up this statement? Who are these people? I mean what is the profession?

I pretty much agree with Libra here. This site you led us too seems more like an anti-men site more than a femminist site...isn't there a difference between being a femminist wanting equal rights for men and women, and just hating men?

Congratulations Catwoman. I see you have managed to initiate two discussions on one thread.

I will only address the title of the thread, “Abortion is not a forbidden topic, is it . . .?”

I think you already know the answer to the question and as such I question your motives for posting the thread. I know the content is of great interest to you, but you know that it does not have a place on this particular site. This site is related to Turkey and, at the very least, your post should have mentioned something about the subject in the context of Turkish Culture/politics. But then, political discussion is also not supposed to be a topic for discussion on this site either (although we are all guilty of getting dragged into it at some time or other).

If I understand the intentions of the site owners/moderators correctly, the “General/Off Topic” Forum still has to relate to Turkey in some way.
There are many sites out there in cyberspace, where you can discuss such a topic and , if you can’t find one to your liking, then perhaps you can design one. But I somehow think that posting such a question on an appropriate site would not give you the same amount of pleasure as I suspect your motives are to begin a political and’or religious war of words on this site. You know in your own mind exactly the people who will respond to you and how they might respond. That’s a shame, because the subject of abortion is an extremely serious one and should not be used to perpetuate the current climate on this Turkish Class site.

Of course you have the right to reply to me but you have no argument, as far as I am concerned, with the rules of the site so I shall not be participating in this thread any further. I have said all I want to say.

Contratulations Peace Train on the most pompous, misinformed, self-rightous post ever!

Though abortion should be done by the consent of both spouses, I think it is a woman's right to have the final word on it since pregnancy is ultimately a condition of the female body. All other consequences affecting males are both indirect and terminable. Nevertheless, the bond between a mother and her child is virtually ever lasting.

Abortion is a very difficult decision for men too. Nevertheless, the impact it may have on a female is both much more sophisticated and is graver.