Different Opinions
Key Words
Abortion
The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy.
Sanctity of Life
The belief that life is holy and belongs to God.
Foetus
This is the name for the baby during the time it is in the mothers' womb.
Pro-Life
Believe that the life of the foetus is the most important and should be put first in all decisions.
Abortion Debate
In the current abortion debate there are two main groups.
They both have views that oppose each other.
Pro-Choice
Believe that it is the body of the woman and therefore her right to choose what she wants to do with her own body (and the foetus).
Task 1
On your copy of the scale below, add in where you are and explain why.
Task 2
Read over the following situations and decide which one you think should most consider an abortion and which one you think should least consider an abortion.
Scenario A
A teenager about to sit her standard grades has become pregnant.
Scenario B
A woman in her 20's, who has been raped.
Scenario F
A woman whose baby will suffer from Down's syndrome.
Scenario E
A woman in her late forties, whose family is already complete.
Scenario D
A woman whose baby will be born with severe physical handicaps.
Scenario C
A single mum with three children under 5 already.
Scenario G
A 21 year old in the middle of her university degree becomes pregnant.
Scenario H
A woman who has just split from her partner.
Scenario I
A woman suffering from breast cancer who needs chemotherapy.
England, Scotland and Wales
You can have an abortion up to 24 weeks into pregnancy.
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This law was introduced in 1997.
UK Law
Republic of Ireland
You are allowed an abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and later if the woman's life or health is at risk or in cases of foetal abnormality.
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This law was introduced in 2018.
American Abortion Law
On May 15th 2019 the state of Alabama passed a law which bans abortion.
There are several other states that have also moved towards this law.
16 other states are seeking to have the same law.
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Alabama Abortion Law
Doctors face10 years in prison for attempting to terminate a pregnancy and 99 years for carrying out the procedure.
A woman who has an abortion would not be held criminally responsible and abortion where the mother's life is at serious risk is allowed.
If the foetus is a result of incest or rape, the woman still has to carry it, the foetus, to term.
U.S.A. Views on Abortion
Majority of those who voted on the Alabama Law were men.
The decisions about women's bodies are often made entirely by men.
Task 3
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Read over the different reactions to the Alabama law in the boxes below.
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Do you agree or disagree with each picture?
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Type into your GoogleDoc the reason why.
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9.
Task 4
In your GoogleDoc type in which reaction resonated with you the most.
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Include at least one reason why you chose this reaction.
Task 5
Write down your answer to the following question:
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Do you think abortion should be allowed or not?
Give at least 2 reasons for your answer.