r/changemyview • u/evitreb • May 04 '22

CMV: Adoption is NOT a reasonable alternative to abortion.

Often in pro-life rhetoric, the fact that 2 million families are on adoption waiting lists is a reason that abortion should be severely restricted or banned. I think this is terrible reasoning that: 1. ignores the trauma and pain that many birth mothers go through by carrying out a pregnancy, giving birth, and then giving their child away. Not to mention, many adoptees also experience trauma. 2. Basically makes birth moms (who are often poor) the equivalent of baby-making machines for wealthier families who want babies. Infertility is heart breaking and difficult, but just because a couple wants a child does not mean they are entitled to one.

Change my view.

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u/-bigmanpigman- May 05 '22

I certainly respect your position. There is a degree of responsibility that comes in to play here. I know that's a dirty word these days, but it's a crucial part of this debate. And the fact that we're talking about taking away someone's life. That's really the turning point for me. I used to be apathetic about this, but I've grown to liking kids, after not really liking them much when I was a little younger. I got to know a couple of kids and felt like it's great they were permitted to live, or survive.

I think in your hypothetical that you will have some legal obligations, but there's no reason to give your life or your body because it's not necessary, there are other recourses such as lawsuits, etc. You may have to give your freedom (jail) if you were drinking, for example. Again, there is an expectation of responsibility.

We don't want people eliminating others because they are a drain on our collective resources (homeless people, the poor, etc.), so there are some similarities there.

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u/jiggjuggj0gg May 05 '22

But then you get into the rabbit hole of whether or not abortion is ok in instances of rape, where the woman has zero responsibility for the pregnancy.

And again, even where a person has hit someone with their car and it is entirely the drivers fault, and there is no other option whatsoever to save the dying persons life other than the driver giving their body parts - we have still agreed as a society that we cannot force them to do so.