Thanks Lighter. It was Milgram, that I was searching for - to remember. I like the "bootlikkers syndrome" moniker, because - again - conformists (broad term; not universally applicable) want desperately to be accepted and liked as part of a group - and will attach themselves to "powerful" ideas or people - or just even some value that triggers something about themselves that needs validation. People-pleasers, in lazy intellectual shorthand. And no, not even that is universally apt.
Roe is a difficult topic for me. I painfully remember the women who were maimed, became infected, suffered - when an abortion was necessary in their lives, but not legal. Triggers old Twiggy stuff, but I can talk about it now. It's one of Hol's passionate causes. And it's very personal for her, too. Talking about it from opposite sides has helped both of us process the complex feelings.
I hold very old, probably conditioned; maybe not, pro-life feelings about that individual choice. But that's MY personal opinion, should I be faced with that situation again. I would never dare to try to push that onto someone else - because they are NOT ME. I never pushed it on Hol - much as she wanted me to tell her what to do, sometimes, I just couldn't. And then, with the miscarriages - well, there's a lot to process there for her. I listen and console, as best I can. Her path; her choice; her life.
What I think both of us agree passionately on, is that gov't has no business being involved in the issue AT ALL. Don't make it illegal; don't force people who don't want to cover it with insurance (for whatever reason) to do so. Don't make it so unaffordable that it's inaccessible. Set standards for safety - yes; but don't overburden with regulations until only the privileged can make that choice. Let that choice be FREE of all that crap - a woman has to live with herself, her choice, no matter what she chooses. And it's absolutely not the gov'ts job to stick it's nose in where it doesn't belong. Doctors & women themselves (and probably the male partner, needs to step up too & participate) are the only people who need to concern themselves with that kind of decision. It's way more than "healthcare" - and it's so intensely personal for so many reasons - that the one size fits all approach fails right out the door.
I used to think birth control would alleviate a lot of the conflict over this issue. But it's never been perfect; it's not 100% foolproof regardless of method. And so many women simply suffer too many side effects from the various things - it's not a good alternative way to address the situation.
Yes, there are more philosophical aspects to this - but usually, different aspects appeal to different people more than the others... and then, the "us & them" phenomenon shows up again. Should a child be brought into the world we currently inhabit? Is that fair? Can you nurture and protect and raise the child adequately? In a world with so much uncertainty floating free in so many areas that are essential for life?
I surely can't prescribe the answer to those questions for everyone. I don't think gov't can either. So, that leaves the weight of the decision where it's always been - and those people need the most support and freedom to choose according to their best abilities. Make abortion difficult or illegal - and women will die in backalleys again or take large doses of toxic drugs/herbs to abort. That's a guaranteed consequence of making it a crime.
Just my two cents. Being on both sides of the issue. Personally.
