General Discussion

anAustralianobserver

(633 posts)

32. I like 'anti-criminalisation' (of abortion)

Sat Feb 4, 2012, 06:09 PM

Feb 2012

It can be agreed upon as a fair and neutral characterisation of both sides of the argument.

It emphasises the legality and privacy over the morality, and tends to move the onus to those that are for criminalisation of abortion ('pro-criminalisers') to defend their arguments.

I think pro and anti-choice and pro and anti-abortion have too much ambiguity and stereotype baggage and there's no quicker way to get into semantic fights than by using them.

Anti-criminalisation and pro-criminalisation are the most useful two-word encapsulations of the positions that I can think of.

Also, unlike 'anti-abortion', you can more easily use the term on general TV and in situations where you want to minimise exposing young kids to adult issues (which is one of the advantages of the term pro-choice).

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Please everyone, stop using terms like "anti-abortion" [View all] judy Feb 2012 OP

I prefer to call the other side control freaks proud2BlibKansan Feb 2012 #1

I prefer "pro-choice" and "forced birth". 11 Bravo Feb 2012 #2

Yes. They are forced birthers. We all need to start using that term. OregonBlue Feb 2012 #82

Okay Angry Dragon Feb 2012 #3

The correct terms are pro-woman/anti-woman hayrow1 Feb 2012 #4

No one will understand that, though. Quantess Feb 2012 #5

Abortion is not a terrible thing to live through. Starry Messenger Feb 2012 #6

No, they are against the CHOICE to terminate a pregnancy. Quantess Feb 2012 #21

Actually not even really. Starry Messenger Feb 2012 #26

Why not "pro-choice" and "anti-choice"? Quantess Feb 2012 #51

I just think it's funny you are hectoring me on word choice on this issue. Starry Messenger Feb 2012 #52

I had one too. Quantess Feb 2012 #56

I know what you mean, quantess... judy Feb 2012 #79

Here's why they aren't anti-abortion Major Nikon Feb 2012 #34

I'm not ashamed to say I support a woman's right to receive a medical abortion frazzled Feb 2012 #7

I have friends who have had abortions obamanut2012 Feb 2012 #8

"Abortion is a terrible thing to live through" marmar Feb 2012 #9

The right wing always implies that people are judy Feb 2012 #23

I am pro-abortion. GeorgeGist Feb 2012 #10

No, I don't think you are literally "pro-abortion". Quantess Feb 2012 #12

Sometimes abortion is the best outcome for a pregnancy. Period. lapislzi Feb 2012 #53

Nobody here gets my point. It's so weird, I've had this with pro choice women discussion before... Quantess Feb 2012 #57

I am pro-appendectomy. 2ndAmForComputers Feb 2012 #13

You are pro-choice, yes? Quantess Feb 2012 #14

I am pro-abortion for every woman who seeks one REP Feb 2012 #16

Okay...but that means you support their CHOICE to have an abortion. Quantess Feb 2012 #17

I support a woman's right to chose, RebelOne Feb 2012 #24

I think the option to get an abortion is something women should feel free to take! Quantess Feb 2012 #29

A "happily pregnant woman" probably isn't seeking an abortion REP Feb 2012 #38

But you're saying you're "pro-abotion", which entails convincing happily pregnant women to abort. Quantess Feb 2012 #49

Agreed. There is nothing wrong or shameful judy Feb 2012 #20

No it doesn't. Zoeisright Feb 2012 #45

yes. barbtries Feb 2012 #47

That's your own opinion of what "pro-abortion" means. Quantess Feb 2012 #48

It's the semantics that I am talking about, here. Quantess Feb 2012 #50

reductio ad absurdum! lapislzi Feb 2012 #54

Thank you. nt Starry Messenger Feb 2012 #55

Why don't you want to call yourself pro-choice? I think it sounds much better. Quantess Feb 2012 #58

Wrong. Daemonaquila Feb 2012 #71

Idealy? I want abortions to be safe and RARE. alphafemale Feb 2012 #31

"Terrible thing to live through" ... Another anti-abortion lie. Would you like to see the studies? REP Feb 2012 #11

Have you ever had an abortion? judy Feb 2012 #18

I have - and I agree with REP, enlightenment Feb 2012 #19

I don't disagree with REP judy Feb 2012 #22

Not every woman wants a(nother) child; birth control, even used perfectly, fails REP Feb 2012 #37

With you 100% REP... judy Feb 2012 #78

+1000 REP Feb 2012 #27

My grandmother, at 98, wondered when the "grief" from her abortions was going to start REP Feb 2012 #25

I had one left is right Feb 2012 #33

I prefer "control freaks" and "normal people". HopeHoops Feb 2012 #15

For the record, Maddow uses the term "Anti-choice" Firebrand Gary Feb 2012 #28

Good to know... judy Feb 2012 #80

Abortion is not a dirty word jeff47 Feb 2012 #30

Thank you REP Feb 2012 #39

From me, too. Daemonaquila Feb 2012 #68

I like 'anti-criminalisation' (of abortion) anAustralianobserver Feb 2012 #32

k&r... spanone Feb 2012 #35

i saw one right-wing proposal characterized as "the Mandatory Motherhood Amendment" Jim Lane Feb 2012 #36

I love that term (n/t) a2liberal Feb 2012 #83

So very true... ljm2002 Feb 2012 #40

I am anti-overpopulation. glinda Feb 2012 #41

I am pro-choice, pro being able to choose an accessible legal hygienic vs back alley abortion. uppityperson Feb 2012 #42

I am pro-abortion, but I basically agree with using "pro-choice". MH1 Feb 2012 #43

You're for abortion when it is absolutely unnecessary? The Doctor. Feb 2012 #61

I am pro-abortion when the woman chooses it. It's just a medical procedure. MH1 Feb 2012 #63

Then you are pro-choice, technically speaking. "pro-abortion" means you WANT women... Honeycombe8 Feb 2012 #70

I prefer women to choose abortion over adoption MH1 Feb 2012 #91

I certainly am. Daemonaquila Feb 2012 #67

Sure, I am. It's not so horrible, just a simple procedure. Quantess Feb 2012 #69

Apparently some folks are a little fuzzy on the term "Absolutely unnecessary". The Doctor. Feb 2012 #73

No, but see that's similar to what I wrote upthread. Quantess Feb 2012 #75

I call the other side misogynists. Zoeisright Feb 2012 #44

actually they are pro-fetus and anti- child serqet Feb 2012 #46

DURec...and a kick. bvar22 Feb 2012 #59

Let's see if people understand it, the way you say it. Quantess Feb 2012 #65

Our side is not immune to brainwashing from the right Doctor_J Feb 2012 #60

K&R baldguy Feb 2012 #62

Again, George Carlin's abortion rant dances through my head. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #64

Nonsense. Speak for yourself. Daemonaquila Feb 2012 #65

"Pro-abortion," to me, means you WANT women to have abortions. Honeycombe8 Feb 2012 #72

Nobody here cares WHAT your personal stance is. bvar22 Feb 2012 #74

I was getting ready to say something along these lines... RevStPatrick Feb 2012 #76

The focus of the other side's POV is opposition to abortion. Deep13 Feb 2012 #77

I see your point, but the problem is this could be flipped around just as easily RZM Feb 2012 #81

Pro-choice is a market-based description. I prefer to refer to it as human rights. intheflow Feb 2012 #84

I use "I support a woman's right to privacy in ALL aspects"... Spazito Feb 2012 #85

These discussions come up frequently, go on and on, and never get anywhere... reACTIONary Feb 2012 #86

It is very personal, as it should be. Skelly Feb 2012 #89

By definiton, this is the way I see this issue: Tennessee Gal Feb 2012 #87

Those aren't the "only" acceptable terms... MellowDem Feb 2012 #88

FYI, the term comes from the Associated Press style book for journalists. That's why it's so common Dark Feb 2012 #90

And because nearly all mainstream journalists get paid to toe the right-wing line Doctor_J Feb 2012 #94

I'm pro-abortion like I'm pro-kidney transplant... SidDithers Feb 2012 #92

Good, Sid Doctor_J Feb 2012 #95

It's probably the most accurate, neutral descriptive term for that side of the debate. Tommy_Carcetti Feb 2012 #93