The presumption is meant more to serve as commentary for the posters who say they have no right to an opinion. While my own experience is absolutely relevant and it may be true that, as a result, I know my opinion a bit more thoroughly (ins & outs as it were) as a result, I find copping to one's lack of experience as a lack of a reason for an opinion both valid and at the same time - either disappointing or almost a cop-out. For example, I have difficulty forming an articulate opinion on Ferguson when people begin debating that the events were racially motivated. I firmly believe they were, but I don't feel I have the ability, or the context, to "prove" it accurately to others who don't believe that. I don't have quick stats nor do I have experience. I also feel I can't speak to the experience of minorities in cases such as Ferguson as a result. I firmly feel I am stuck in the "white person, can't possibly fathom" camp. HOWEVER ... I also feel like such an answer is a quick, easy & glib way to excuse my lack of opinion, or me being too lazy to put in the work and actually form an opinion.

I feel like there is validity to saying "I can't possibly have an opinion because I don't have the experience..." but that it also allows one to not mentally work at having an opinion on a topic. It is a bit of a crux I think. It is better to admit that one's sword may not be in the fight than plunge in acting as if one's unseasoned opinion has total weight. But it is also better, I think, to engage than say "because I have no experience I will not face the conflict."

I didn't say I don't care about the father's concerns. I find it difficult to reconcile with them when faced with the burden of the developing (here I said "I really don't care" because there are so many terms and distinctions here and I don't care about the subtleties for the sake of this discussion) egg/zygote/fetus/whatever, within the female body. I think it can potentially be very difficult for guys who want to have kids to be faced with a woman who wants an abortion. I don't think that there is a happy solution for that couple in most cases. As for the science-magic, clearly a theoretical, it'd-be-cool-if-you-could-please-everyone sort of possibility.

I am sure your mother is amazing, tng. You have no idea how terrified I am at the thought that mine may be spinning somewhere around the hub. I just do get irritated at people who insist that having had an abortion, or choosing to go through with a pregnancy, Changes One For Life. I agree that having a child certainly is going to do that and also that it's a big decision and shouldn't be taken lightly. I don't believe it's a decision that has to leave emotional scars that cripple one for life or which one still has to be burdened with years after the fact. So her opinion, while hers and I'm sure realized through the context of her life, struck a chord that I think society in general likes to play - while she may have not meant to, or realized she was.

I would love to see some "had an abortion and am glad" characters in plots. I guess I would really like to see someone I can relate more to. I watch movies where a character has had an abortion and as a result, her relationship, and then her life falls apart as she moves into addiction (just as one example). I don't relate to that. On top of that, not relating to that somehow makes it seem a) to everyone that this is what an abortion does to you and b) to me that perhaps something's wrong with me for not being devastated.

I refuse to believe something is wrong with me for making the best choice available to me. I refuse to believe I should be tormented for choosing not to be tormented.