Sunday, January 30, 2011

A few thoughts on abortion as an issue


Back in college days, a few of my fellow psych' students and I decided to do some research into, in our words, "the attitudes, personality and knowledge" of protesters and counter-protesters at an Operation Rescue rally at an abortion clinic near our university. The research data was a little boring; basically, pro-lifers turned out to answer more questions on fetal development correctly than pro-choice types. The behavior of the two groups at the rally, however, may have proven something more....

The pro-life Operation Rescue people were on the opposite side of the street from the clinic, and the counter-protesters were on the same side opposite to them. Even approaching these twin demonstrations, we could hear taunts and insults from the pro-choice side. Outside of a little rhetoric, all the words from near the clinic were attempts to ridicule or judge the people on the other side of the street.

We decided to split into two groups, one for each side of the street, in order to avoid accidentally handing out our questionnaires to anyone twice, and feeling at least a slight aversion to the jeering of the clinic's supporters, I opted for the pro-life side. As a researcher, after all, I had to at least try to prevent myself from displaying any emotional reaction liable to influence the interviewees in any way, and that job just might be a little easier with the less fractious set.

I did not start any conversations with my interviewees. I simply handed out questionnaires. I politely refused to respond to any inquiries as to my own feelings on abortion. More than one person did tell me their reasons for being there, however, and contrary to the pro-choicers estimations, many of them did admit the need for abortion to save an at-risk mother's life or in other, less defined situations. They were terrified, however, of the possible use of abortion-on-demand as a contraceptive for dummies. Basically, they wanted some kind of restraint, and (again contrary to the stated views of them from across the street) they were willing to negotiate to get them.

At some point after the standing protest, the head organizer of the pro-life side of this event spoke, and his words did not seem in any way to represent the stated opinions of the protesters on his side. He certainly did want to outlaw abortion, lock, stock and scalpel.

Listening to his words, I had to wonder about a few things. Had the pro-choice movement possible pushed these people into this man's political arms? Did the pro-choice side have possible motive's for doing so? Pro-choice literature often portrays the need for abortion as something of a medical emergency, and any emergency will rivet the willing and a good number of the semi-willing to action. Were the pro-choicers using that to make a louder and therefore more politically intimidating following?

After our research, my fellow students and I met at a Burger King to hand our data in, but after that we began talking about what we had seen from a more personal perspective. The head of our project was decidedly pro-choice, but even she admitted anger at the confrontational style of "her" side of the debate. I shared my political perceptions, and the others admitted the possibilities.

At the end of things, we all went home of course, but the perceptions of that day have stayed with me. In this "No Labels" time I submit them for your consideration. At least one side of the abortion debate just might be shooting itself in the foot and giving its opponents the means to shoot back.

Just a few thoughts....

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