iFriday Night Lights/i takes on abortion
Read the above link to a post on Feministing.com (Read the text on the linked page--it is optional to click on "continue reading.")
What do you think of Jos's analysis of the abortion episode? Say why you agree or disagree.
I agree with Jos. Women shouldn't make decisions based on what other people THINK will make them happy. Their friends and family should support them and make them feel comfortable with their choice so that there are no regrets in the end.
ReplyDelete-Susana Campos
I agree and disagree with Jos. I like that is was not made political and focused on the girl and her feelings and opinions. What I didn't agree with is the actual abortion, being that I am pro life. The way it talked about it though is how it needs to be addressed through how the girl feels and her communication with her friends and family about it, and not turned into a political nightmare.
ReplyDeleteJoey Guikema
I agree with Jos too. I agree that women shouldn't have to be pressured from friends and family on what they want. Yes teens are more seen to be having abortions because they do not want to have to take care of a child or could afford to take a child. It does not help if the parents are not supportive either. I am not saying I am for abortion, but for some people that is the best decision for them.
ReplyDelete- Ashley Gabelmann
I really like the tone of these 3 comments. It's encouraging to see that some are pro-choice and others pro-life, but that they can still find common ground.
ReplyDeleteI would also have to agree with Jos. I think the show did a good job at showing how difficult it is for the women who is pregnant and how there is a lot of pressure put on her. A women should be able to make her own decisions and not be pressured by what other people think. They should be able to think about what they want and be supported in what ever decision they make. Women need support with dealing with having an abortion or not having an abortion, not being pressured to make other people happy.
ReplyDeleteAmanda DeBates
Overall, having not seen the episode myself, I would have to also agree with Jos. Abortion is such a private and emotional circumstance, and added pressures from those around you could be unbearable. It is not a pleasant experience for any woman, and it is critical that they have a support system...free of judgement.
ReplyDeleteAmy Caldwell
I have not seen these episodes, but by reading the article, I disagree and agree with Jos. I think the fact that the episode showed the side of abortion that should be considered, such as the mother's ability to take care of the child, was a necessity. On the other hand, being pro-life, I think the fact that the show ended with the mother showing emotion and sadness toward the abortion was something that is more realistic. I don't think an episode ending with the mother being happy or content with the abortion would portray a good message to viewers.
ReplyDelete-Laura Curtin
I myself have never seen this show, but reading this article gives me a good idea about it, and I agree with Jos's comments. He makes a good point by saying that abortion is always talked about in political terms. Abortion should not be considered just political and it seems that the feelings of the young soon to be mother are always left out and never considered. Also, what I get from the article, the actors did a very good job at portraying people who might really be in this situation. Most of the time it seems that shows about teen pregnancies and abortions seem very unrealistic and give people false ideas.
ReplyDeleteEmily Eyler
I also have never seen this show but I do beleive I have to agree with Jos. Women should always be able to make this choice, in my opinion. Only that one woman will be able to know if she is physically and emotionally ready to deal with a child. The fact that the show acknowledged the different views on abortion is a great thing and I am glad that it is being recognized. I believe that a woman's friends and family are there to love her, care for her, and support her through anything and everything she chooses to do.
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn Parrish
I am also glad that abortion is being acknowledged in this way. I also agree that a woman will be more worried about what others think than what she really wants. I myself would not even consider abortion but for others it should be a well thought decision. I mean a baby will change your life forever, but should never be seen as a burden which i think abortion makes pregnancy seem like. In the end a girl could end up at least having the baby and putting the baby up for adoption if they know they don't believe they have the resources to care for a child.
ReplyDeleteKayla O'Neill
Although I have never seen the show, I got a good understanding on the way they handle social situations based on the article. I agree with Jos in the essence that women should be able to make their own decisions about the issue, and have every important person in the situation be behind their deicison. I have also noticed that not many shows, discluding medical show (Grey's Anatomy), rarely discuss abortion in the plot. Abortion is a real life issue that many women face and I think more shows should include it in their story. Whether a woman decides to go get an abortion or not, they should base that decicion on their personal resources, beliefs, and the degree of possible regret they are willing to handle.
ReplyDelete-Keri Plica
While I'm pro-choice, and definitely not a fan of teen pregnancy (except in the case in which a very mature teenager is very sure she wants to be pregnant, and didn't get pregnant by accident), I do think it's important to acknowledge that when women have access to good nutrition, pregnancy is good for their bodies, because it gives them a break from the menstrual cycle, and this break is a defense against breast cancer.
ReplyDeleteI would also agree with Jos. I am pro-choice and think it should be Beckys decision, and should have the support of her family and friends no matter what she picks. Her family and friends shouldnt be pressure her with what they think she should do, because it makes it harder to think on your own and what you want. It was mentioned that Becky was a highschool student with a working poor backround, and if she cant afford to give the baby what it needs,and she wants a abortion she shouldnt have it.
ReplyDeleteDanielle Fabian
Jos states that she would like to see other womens reactions to having an abortion besides sadness. I agree, but I don' think this would be the episode to realistically depict that kind of reaction. We are talking about a frightened 15/16 year old girl.
ReplyDeleteOne thing she said really synopsized the entire situation: "What women considering abortion need is support in whatever decision they make, not someone else's opinion about what they should do."
She is totally right in saying that abortion is fundamentally a personal choice and should not have political or even communal influence.
-Emily Janas
At the end of the day, it is always the woman's decision whether or not to go through with an abortion. In our society, people are so easily convinced by their friends and family that they forget that it is their life and they are really the only person who is in charge of it. I really don't actually have a position on the abortion topic because I really don't know how I would feel if I got pregnant when I was not ready because it hasn't happened to me. Women should let people help them to a certain extent but they shouldn't let others make a decision for them.
ReplyDeleteJulia Henderson
I would have to agree with Jos abortion is something a women handels on their own, not according to others thoughts and opinions. If having the baby at that time will not work or just cannot work, then I think if the women can come to the decision and be ok with it, then she needs to do what is best and right for herself not others, and their opinions.
ReplyDelete-Shawna Sabo
I am happy that abortion is being seen this way. I highly agree that woman are usually more worried about what others will think because our society is very judgmental. I would not even think about abortion unless I know the baby was gone or if my life depended on it. Abortion takes the idea that pregnancy is more of a chore than a precious gift. There is a good chance that I may not be able to even have kids die to a disease that I have, it is hard to think that people would willingly give up the chance when in turn I want to be able to have children and I am taking steps so I will hopefully be able to do is in the future. People really don't realize what they have until it's not there anymore. I believe that a woman should not go straight to abortion but think of adoption as well if they cannot care for a child themselves.
ReplyDelete-Kara Burroughs
I agree with jos. Though I've never seen the show I feel as though no we do not see a lot about abortions on any show so I was excited tohear about this show. I feelas though everyone should be able to make the best decision that best suits them instead of caring about what other people willthink because noone has to deal with the outcome except the person who chose it. I really think its sad for people to be so judgemental towards the people they love and care about regardless if they disagree or not support means a lot!!
ReplyDeleteKendra Owens
I would like to begin my comment by saying bravo to Friday Night Lights for willing to tackle such a debated topic. Now, that being said I would have to say I agree with Jos. From what she described of the show I would say that the episode seemed to adequately illustrate the difficult time that a pregnant teenager could go through in high school. In this case Becky decided to go through with the abortion and it should be completely up to her. The part where Becky ends up crying at the end of the episode gets on my nerves a little bit. Not all women regret having abortions (i'm not saying that women don't regret it either) and it would be interesting to see a show or documentary about the other side. Women who have had abortions and are thankful for them. I am Pro-choice.
ReplyDeleteJoe Womack
I agree with Joe’s comments. I am please that the show showed the different sides of the abortion view, It's sad that many girls are faced with this same problem every day! But sadly some end like Becky’s did. Joes comments made the show gives all sides. I however think it’s the women choice to make that decision for herself. No amount of help can ever take that feeling like that away; she needs to do what is best for her and the baby.
ReplyDeletekathryn Turner
I also agree with Jos. Women should never be pressured by their friends and family when it comes to a personal matter such as abortion. I believe that if a women is capable of having a baby, the choice of getting an abortion is totally up to her. It is her body and he life and if she thinks that she is not ready for a baby, she needs to choose the right decision for her self not everyone else.
ReplyDelete-Kelley Walsh
I agree with Jos. I think that no woman should ever be pressured by anyone to get an abortion. I feel like it is the woman's choice to decide if she is going to have the abortion or not since she is the one who is going to have the baby. I believe that the woman knows what is best for her and I think that no one else knows what is best for the woman. The woman does not need to listen to her boyfriend/husband, her family or her friends the only person that she needs to listen to his herself.
ReplyDelete-Tara Rednour
I think that women should be able to make any choice they would feel comfortable doing because even though in my eyes abortion is an awful thing to do, others may think it's okay to go through with the process. I believe that young teens and women should never be pressured to have an abortion because it's their choice and rights and no one elses. Some people may not understand how it would feel to have an abortion or be in a situation such as this one. Overall, I think that women are entitled to their own opinions and have rights just as much as men and everybody else do.
ReplyDeleteNyles Wortham
I do agree with Jos. I think that whether or not a woman wants to keep a pregnancy, should entirely be her decision to make. A decision of having an abortion, I believe is not an easy one and anyone who makes that choice needs some sort of support. But under no circumstance should a woman be pressured to have an abortion or not to.
ReplyDeleteSandra Odei
I also agree with Jos. There needs to be more shows that acknowledge it. I think that abortion is a very serious situation. It can put a lot of pressure on a young teen girl or woman. They need to have the proper support and comfort from family, friends and those that they trust to help make the decision and/or take the necessary steps in dealing with the issue.
ReplyDeleteKristine Tume
I give props to Friday Night Lights for handling such a controversial topic and that abortion is being recognized in this way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jos. A woman should be able to make her own choices about whether she wants to keep a pregancy. A woman should also not be pressured to have an abortion or not to have an abortion. The woman owns and has rights to her own body, no one else can own her body or have rights to her body so the decision should be made by the woman.
Taylor Murphy
I think Jos is right. Abortion is a touchy subject, but above all it is a womens choice. Its her body. Too many tv shows show the woman keeping the baby because of everybody elses opinions. All that woman needs is support in her own decision, whether or not she decides to have an abortion.
ReplyDeleteJackie Golevicz
I haven't seen this episode, but I would have to agree with Jos. The show seemed to do a good job covering the more emotional side of getting an abortion, such as the added pressures put on the girl. People put so much emphasis on the opinions of others instead of doing what they feel is right. This is better than just showing the political side of the situation. However, I disagree with Jos about the girl's reaction towards the abortion. I think that the girl showing sadness is the more realistic emotion.
ReplyDelete-alexa arent
I think that if a girl decides to get an abortion the people around her should support her. However, the guy that got her pregnant wanted her to have the child and in that case his opinion should be considered greatly because it is his baby as well. When a guy wants his girlfriend to have the baby, I do not think guys really understand that the girl has to carry around the baby for nine months and does not understand that their girlfriend may not be ready emotionally to have and care for a baby. I think everyone should support the girl no matter if they agree or not with her decision.
ReplyDelete-Kimberly Matejka
Having not seen the episode,I was pleased to hear that this show was able to take a different approach to teen pregnancy rather than the one most commonly shown. I agree with Joes take on the episode. Whether it comes down to abortion or life, a woman should feel confident and gain support from her family. She should be able to make a sane and safe decision about how her unplanned pregnancy will end.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jos because women do need support in any decision they make. If women do not get support from family or friends, that puts on a lot more stress and emotions that can be avoided just by giving support. People just assume it is right or wrong and do not think of the life experience the women is going through.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is up to the woman to have an abortion. I think abortion can be emotional because it’s a loss of an opportunity of life. If an abortion is necessary than its necessary it depressing but life goes on; it’s a woman’s body and it is her choice whether to have one or not.
ReplyDelete-Jason Renacido
I haven't seen the show but from reading the article I can get the feeling of the emotion that was present during the decision. I agree with the article that abortion should be your choice. I also agree that support and from friends and family is a crucial part. It is important to do what is right for you at that point in your life, not want other people want you to do. You are the one that knows what your going through and the outcome of having the child whether it's good or bad.
ReplyDelete-Allysa Lybarger
I agree as well. You make your own decisions and its all on you. Your the one that controls the consequences that your decision may lead to or the accomplishments as well. Jos is very correct in that everyone has a right to make the decision they want.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jos. I do not think it is right for women to make such important decisions based on what others say. Yes it is important to listen to family members and even friends. However, you should not make any decision based upn someone else's opinion. It is your choice and you will have to deal with any consequenses of that decision. I really think that everyone should be able to have the right to make their own decisions.
ReplyDelete-Bailey Strand
I also agree with what Jos says. Abortion is a very hard decision to make and I think it should be completely up to the woman what she chooses to do with her body. Whatever the reason may be, it's up to her. Simply because she will be the one who has to live with the consequences on whether keeping it or not. Raising a child is not easy, definitely at a young age, but it's not impossible. Some people may not be affected by having abortions, others, it can lead to a very depressing stage. It all depends on the person, but in the end, it should be up to the woman a hundred percent.
ReplyDelete-Toykia Meeks
I belive that women need support from family and freinds to make a difficult decision like this one. Its a womens choice on what they do with there body but I belive others opinions will help with making a decision. I also think that luke who im guessing is the father from reading the article....should express his opinion on what to do becasue it is his child too. Yhat dosnt mean the women has to listen to him but this decision effects his life too and he should have some sort of input. So i disagree with Jos there.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Steinberg.
I agree with Jos as well as many others. I honestly can only have so much of an opinion at this point because I have never been in the situation. I feel like everyone may have there opinions and sides but until your really in the situation its kind of hard to make assumtions. Alot of the time people don't know the cause of why someone may need an abortion. Also girls especially young teens need to be careful. I know many girls have sex in highschool and college but being smart about it is where many go wrong. I also feel support from family and friends is highly essential in situations like these.
ReplyDeleteAlex Figura