Abortion is one of the most politically-charged debates in the world today—possibly the most politically charged
It may be in the US and many religious countries, but it isn’t a big issue in France—I haven’t heard of any politician talk about abortion here, and it’s not subject to much debate in the media either. My wife says “Yes, there is some debate, some hospitals are even refusing to perform abortions, you just don’t pay attention because you’re a man”, so OK, it may be a bit of an issue, but not a very polarizing one.
(And of course, it’s not a big issue in China, where abortion is sometimes encouraged by the state.)
I don’t think so. I think some people feel very strongly about this issue independent of politics. Their strong feelings are something that politics is trying to harness/exploit.
I suppose I should learn to provide arguments rather than just make statements about my beliefs. But since I’ve already written what I think, wouldn’t anything I write here literally be writing after the bottom line?
But I suppose I can try and remember what originally made me think that the strong feelings are independent of politics.
My first reason is that people who aren’t otherwise political can often have strong feelings about the abortion debate. These are coworkers and family members that I know.
Another reason is that group feelings about the debate can cross political lines. For example, Catholics that might otherwise be liberal will vote Republican on a pro-life stance, and otherwise conservative women may defend their right to choose.
It may be in the US and many religious countries, but it isn’t a big issue in France—I haven’t heard of any politician talk about abortion here, and it’s not subject to much debate in the media either. My wife says “Yes, there is some debate, some hospitals are even refusing to perform abortions, you just don’t pay attention because you’re a man”, so OK, it may be a bit of an issue, but not a very polarizing one.
(And of course, it’s not a big issue in China, where abortion is sometimes encouraged by the state.)
I think it’s been blown rather out of proportion by political forces, so what you’re describing seems very likely.
I don’t think so. I think some people feel very strongly about this issue independent of politics. Their strong feelings are something that politics is trying to harness/exploit.
I suppose I should learn to provide arguments rather than just make statements about my beliefs. But since I’ve already written what I think, wouldn’t anything I write here literally be writing after the bottom line?
But I suppose I can try and remember what originally made me think that the strong feelings are independent of politics.
My first reason is that people who aren’t otherwise political can often have strong feelings about the abortion debate. These are coworkers and family members that I know.
Another reason is that group feelings about the debate can cross political lines. For example, Catholics that might otherwise be liberal will vote Republican on a pro-life stance, and otherwise conservative women may defend their right to choose.