Two Students Discuss Abortion: Olivia & Isabelle

The dialogue is a conversation between two students, Olivia and Isabelle, from philosophy class during a lunch break in a cafeteria. They are halfway through their lunch when the conversation about abortion arises.

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Olivia: Isabelle, what is your take on the whole issue of abortion? Do you think women should Have an abortion, or they shouldn't?

Isabella: I think a person should follow their heart. Its every other woman's right to decide whether they should keep the child or not. A woman can determine their future by controlling her reproductive life.

Olivia: But isn't the choice of abortion too cruel?

Isabelle: I don't believe it's cruel for a woman to decide not to have a child. Olivia, why do you term abortion as cruel? When abortion is performed, the fetus is still too young to be considered viable and thus not considered a person.

Olivia: I agree that the fetus is not yet viable. But besides the viability issue, don't you think since every person's initial stages of life pass through the same phase of being a fetus, then a fetus should be considered as a person? Or does the stage of life make a difference?

Isabelle: Yes, the stage of the fetus matters. I believe it will only be considered a person after it's viable; also, it cannot feel pain, so the issue of brutality is null and void. Also, in the early stages of pregnancy, a fetus cannot survive outside the womb. During this stage, a woman should be given an option to determine whether or not she is ready to take on the responsibility of motherhood. I believe that providing a woman this choice is morally right.

Olivia: I support you in that that a woman should have the choice either to keep the child or not. But don't you think a person should explore other alternatives such as adoption? Many people are willing to adopt children and bring them up as part of the family. Would you not consider such an option?

Isabelle: In my view, adoption can be an alternative. However, the issue of attachment to the child arises. What if a woman changes her mind, and one day she desires to see her child?

Olivia: After adoption, a woman surrenders her rights to the adoptive parents so the child will belong to them. Also, a person is given the option of not knowing who adoptive parents are, so a person can avoid such kind of regret by having their identity remain anonymous. A person who chooses abortion can also have regrets later how they will handle such a circumstance.

Isabelle: I believe that a person should take as much time as possible before deciding so as not to regret later on. So, if you are sure about your decision, then there is no regret later. However, a person may regret not choosing abortion and lead to depression due to unpreparedness in becoming a parent.

Olivia: you are right. Some people regret having their children later on, and they hate and despise their children and treat them horribly. I actually would support abortion on this note. It is not right to subject an innocent life to live a miserable life full of hate.

Isabelle: apart from preparedness, there is the issue of a genetic abnormality like in the article we from the New York Times. Would a person rather wait till the child is born, or should one do it earlier in life? Or should a person allow a child to live after birth with abnormalities such as it was with Sam from the article?

Olivia: That article moved me to tears. It's a painful thing for any person to be in search of a position. I would rather prefer an abortion than going through such pain. At least a fetus has no feeling of pain, but when it has fully developed, not only the mother and father will experience the pain but also the child who, at that moment, experiences the pain of death but also the extended family. So, even though I still have reservations about considering abortion just because it's an inconsequential option. I fully support abortion in the cases of abnormalities.

Isabelle: Speaking of the inconsequential decision, does it mean that you don't support women taking emergency contraceptives?

Olivia: I think that is different in the essence that conception has not already occurred. So, the person is just interfering with the process before it happens. However, abortion conception has already occurred, and a human is growing. My bottom line is that every sexually active person should take responsibility for their activities, such as using family planning methods. If they don't, one should take responsibility for the consequences.

Isabelle: What happens when the family planning methods fail, and pregnancy occurs. Should a person decide to keep a child even if they lack the capabilities to do so either emotionally or financially?

Olivia: A person in that situation should try to explore other options like those of adoption. However, in matters where maybe the woman is mentally unstable and carrying a child may prove harmful to her wellbeing, abortion might be considered. That being said, a person should not jump into the decision of abortion but should explore alternatives.

Isabelle: Olivia, it seems you are undecided about your notion about abortion. Are you in support of or against abortion?

Olivia: Actually, that's why I asked you for your views. Many people are always on the extreme side of this issue, either supporting abortion or against it. However, I have always been in the middle. On one side, I think abortion decisions should not be taken lightly that a person can have an abortion just because they feel its inconvenient for them to have a child. While on the other hand, I support abortion decisions in a life-threatening situation; that is when the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother, the child, or both.

Isabelle: as for me, I am fully in support of abortion. However, I feel that the decision is not to be taken lightly. Preferably a person should evaluate and reevaluate her options first before finalizing the decision to go through an abortion. Stigmatization of people who decide to take up the abortion option should stop because a person has a right to determine their fate, either to be a mother or not.

Olivia: Well said, Isabelle. From what you have just said and our whole conversation, I have decided to support abortion fully with no reservations. A person indeed has the right to choose whether to keep the child, put it up for adoption, or even have an abortion. No one should be made to feel less human because of their decision

Isabelle: True. Let's go to class; the lunch break is over. It was good talking to you.

Olivia: it was my pleasure too. You have taught me a lot today. See you later.

Work Consulted

Asaye, Mengstu Melkamu, Haymanot Alem Muche and Eyerusalem Desta Zelalem. " Prevalence and Predictors of Postpartum Depression: Northwest Ethiopia." Psychiatry Journal (2020).

Derbyshire, SWG and JC Bockmann. "Reconsidering fetal pain." Journal of Medical Ethics 46 (2020): 3-6.

Heinemann, I and J Schoen. "Reproductive decision-making in comparative perspective." Journal of Modern European History 17 (2019): 255-261.

McMahon, A and B Ni Ghrainne. "Reconsidering the Irish Constitution and International Law: Abortion and Fatal Fetal Abnormality." SSRN 3134542 2018.