Pregnancy
Dilemmas
by
Jeffrey Asher
A classroom discussion
foundation on unintended pregnancy.
Humanities: Propaganda,
Prejudice, and Men's Lives Teacher:
Jeffrey Asher
Pregnancy Dilemmas
The purpose of this exercise is to encourage students to examine current sex-biased definitions of responsibility for unwanted pregnancy. Students should ask whether current social values and laws treat men and women equally. In each case in this package and in your experience, ask yourself if you would support the same laws and customs if the sex of that person were switched.
The fundamental questions in these situations focus on biological capacity and law. For a male versus a female: are both or only one equally empowered by biology, social values, and law for the following choices?:
Consent to sex Contraception Pregnancy Abortion
Adoption Single Parenthood Confirmation of Paternity
Legally Required Child Support Sole Custody of Child
These cases will be examined in four classes, 45 minutes each; two cases per class, and an overall recapitulation of the cases in the last class. Every phrase, word and even the dates have been chosen to add meaning to each case.
Students are required to write a 100-word opinion on each case, as a preparation for discussion in the next class, containing 50 words of defense for each of the letter writers. Students should comment on the passages they consider the most important in each letter. These notes are only for student use, are required as an entry 'ticket' to class. So that students may freely express their opinions, these discussions are not intended for course marks. If students choose to submit their analyses of the cases, the marks will only be entered if they rank above the student's course average.
Students will form groups of six: three males and three females. Each group of six will discuss the two cases for 20 minutes among themselves, and then discuss the cases with the class. Students in this class are welcome to invite friends to join in the discussions.
Contents
An Obedient Wife and Daughter-in-Law?
Permission to reproduce is hereby granted, on the condition that this package remains unaltered and intact, and credit is given to the author. All the cases in this package are hypothetical, and composites drawn from research. J. Asher welcomes correspondence from teachers and students who have examined this exercise. J. Asher 4563 Kensington Avenue, Montreal Canada H4B 2W6
July 9, 2001
Pregnancy Dilemmas A1
- 3 pages
30 February 1916
Personal and
Confidential
Sir James Palmerston, M.P., O.B.E.
7 Beacon Hill
Westmount, Canada.
Honorable Sir,
I
beg your indulgence that I have addressed you directly, as a gentleman. Your
solicitor Sir Llewellan Doyle has confounded all my other attempts at
communication with yourself.
To
be direct, my daughter Prudence has identified your son Randall as the father
of their child, who will be born five months hence. Mtre. Doyle has proffered $1,000,a as though
the honor of my daughter and the dignity of my family might be purchased at a
public market. Your eldest son Charles
callously dismissed the shame and grief of my daughter as "...the machinations of a working-class trollop." I was required to exercise my full parental
authority to restrain my son from demanding satisfaction in the traditional manner,b for that outrage against his sister.
You
may be unaware that Prudence returned home from the 31 October Imperial Concert
in Westmount Park two hours late, evidently distraught. Between uncontrollable bursts of tears,
Prudence recounted that Randall enticed her away from her chaperones,
intoxicated her with brandy disguised in herbal tea, and enticed Prudence into
his Rolls-Royce motorcar, and drove away, and seduced her. Two of her classmates will bear witness to
that apparent abduction.
Vicar
Donaldson and prominent members of our congregation will assuredly attest that
Prudence is a virtuous young woman of unblemished reputation. Her academic record at Miss Grierson's
Secretarial School remains in the upper quarter of achievement. Prudence hoped for a brief career as a
stenographer, until the appropriate young man would fulfill her destiny as a
wife and mother.
I
appeal to your honor, Sir, to instruct your son at once to interrupt his law
studies at McGill University, and depart for the home of my great aunt
Chrystobel Pankhurst, where Prudence has retired in seclusion, heavy with
child. I cannot much longer hope to
suppress rumors that may reach the gutter press. You may appreciate that a scandal may preclude any hope of a
public career for your son, and may blemish your standing and authority in
Parliament.
We
are fathers, and we must serve as unequivocal moral exemplars for our children. Please instruct your son on his duty. Let us prepare a modest marriage so that we
may soon welcome the birth of our grandchild.
Yours respectfully,
Phineas Fogg, Esq.
Source: My Wayward Sons by Betty Windsor,
Battenberg Press, Hanover, 1895 ...
continued
Pregnancy
Dilemmas A2
Seduced
and Abandoned - 1916
Correspondence from Prudence and Randall
14 February 1916
Dearest Randy,
I may never know if this letter ever reaches
you. Aunt Chrissy and my father have
prohibited me from leaving her home in Pointe Claire. You will see in this letter that I have not written a word that
might embarrass you or your family.
As you might imagine, all is not well at home. Mother says she is 'ill,' and has cancelled
all engagements with family and friends.
She paces the hall at home like a specter, or locks herself in her
bedroom and sobs inconsolably. My elder
brother Edgar may have to withdraw from his engagement with Annabelle Lee. Father says that my elder sister Rachel may
never receive a marriage proposal from a young man of good character. Aunt Chrissy reminds me daily that I have
been a "disobedient, reckless girl'; and that I should pray every night
for the only forgiveness that I may ever receive.
I know that I have disgraced my family with a stain
that cannot ever be erased. I know that
I am far below your station in life. If
your parents could forgive me, I would be honored to enter your family as a
dutiful daughter-in-law. If not, I will
resign myself to my fate.
On this Valentine Day, I reaffirm before the heavens
that I love you with all my heart and soul.
Although I am imprisoned, I am not alone. Heaven give me the strength to do what I must.
"Farewell! God knows when
we shall meet again...
Romeo, I come! This do I drink to thee."
Forever yours,
Pru.
...... .
......
....... . ......
15 February 1916
Dear Prudence,
By the time this letter reaches you, I may have departed for
the colonies. I may not be permitted to
contact you for months, or perhaps years.
Father and mother have forbidden me from mentioning your
name. Without the confidence and
support of my father, I may have to postpone or abandon my studies at the
McGill Law School. Any suggestion of
scandal would force my expulsion. Along
with my two brothers and sister, my parents have urged me to consider a
commercial or military career in India or Australia. They have made ominous references to the western front in
France. I might only be permitted to
return to Montreal once I have amassed an independent income and formed an
acceptable family. If I do not obey
them, I may be sent abroad regardless and abandoned to my own resources. I may then never have anything to offer any
other person to share my life.
My thoughts are with you every day. I will continue to examine every recourse that may rescue you
from your situation.
Sincerely,
Randy
... continued
Pregnancy
Dilemmas A3
Seduced
and Abandoned - 1916
Lawyer's
advice for Sir James Palmerston
14 March 1916
Sir James Palmerston M.P., O.B.E.,
7 Beacon Hill
Westmount, Canada
My Dear Sir James,
The
following are my recommendations regarding a young woman in a delicate
situation.
A distinguished family may not be held to
extortion by a cunning opportunist. A
few awkward questions might be asked about her behavior at the concert: How did
she evade her chaperones so easily? Why
did she so easily enter into conversation and drink 'tea' with a stranger? Why did she so willingly enter into a
motorcar with that stranger? An
objective observer might ask what kept the young adventuress preoccupied - without protest - for two hours!
Indeed, a plausible explanation is that this escapade was contrived
in advance, with her two classmates as confederates; and was the result of
experience. She is obviously not an
innocent child. She is shrewd enough
to have selected Randall as the extortion target for 'father' of her baby.
We
must resist irresponsible compassion. Her working - class manners, lack of
social skills and parochial education would make her a permanent object of
embarrassment and derision. Her
unfortunate history would fuel rumors for the rest of her life. If these unfounded charges enter the realm
of social gossip, your potential as a cabinet minister or perhaps even as prime
minister would remain foreclosed.
Marriage
is out of the question. Mr. Fogg did
not act upon the unintended consequences of this purported assignation until
four months subsequently. Fogg's
implied threats and implicit demands for even more money are all one may expect
from a printer of travel books. Fogg
must be told in no uncertain terms that his irresponsible daughter's
illegitimate child must be offered for adoption abroad. She may then be assisted by this office in
finding employment as a domestic servant in a home in Toronto or a city further
west. On condition of unequivocal
withdrawal of these spurious claims,
$500 will be paid to her father in equal installments over 10
years. We might arrange and finance her
marriage to a widower, if they move far from here. Any intransigence will result in a far worse situation for her.
Randall
must finally assume adult responsibilities.
He may resume his law studies at the University of British Colombia. If
he appears uncooperative, he may be cautioned with less appealing options: management of a sheep farm in New Zealand,
or a second lieutenancy in His Majesty's Khyber Rifles in Afghanistan. Regardless, he should be permitted to return
to Montreal only with an acceptable wife and children.
With
your approval, you may rest assured that I will dispose of this matter by the
end of the month.
I remain Sir,
Your humble servant
Sir
Llewellan Doyle
Attorney at Law
Q: Explain whether or not James Palmerston should order his son Randall to marry Prudence.
Pregnancy
Dilemmas B
Mrs. Callwood, Director Sunday, June 8, 1999
of Liz Freedan and Social Workers
Bethlehem Adoption Services
Mrs. Callwood.
Yesterday, MS. Freedan called me a "ignorant male jerk" and screamed at me to 'get the hell out of her office!!" You should tell her to apologize. I just want what's fair.
It's about my girl and me. Bunny says she loves me and we will get married when she finishes her bodybuilding personal trainer courses. Bunny says we will have kids. Honestly, Bunny and me have been having sex for maybe 4 months. I think Bunny has been using the pill without telling me and she knows that's a sin against the Bible.
Even though Bunny is a year older than me she has lots of growing up to do. She always comes on to the guys at the gym, and I know when she gets her job in the fall she will still blow all the money on herself for clothes and makeup and partying. She promised me I could start my courses on megavitamins and meditation when she gets her new job. (Delivering pizzas sucks)
Its time we became adults. I want you to give us a child to adopt. Oprah said that 1,200,000 teen girls get "knocked up" every year and 25,000 dump their babies. We want one of those. When Bunny finds out that we will be parents I know she will want to be a mother and marry me. Even if she bitches for a while I know she will like it later. Bunny will soon earn good bucks and so will I in two years and I have free time now. So give us a baby and I will make sure that Bunny will do what's right. She's 18 and its time for her to be mature.
Why should I have to wait for Bunny to decide? When Bunny wants us to have a baby herself, she can just do it. It's only fair- - if she can grow a baby, why can't a man bring one home? (I prefer a boy)
I thought about this for a long time. What if Bunny has another screaming fit? and moves out and dumps me and our baby Well we are the same as married. She should have to pay, every month! I can get welfare, and the food bank, and with her money, also babysitters and still do all my correspondence courses. I also found out that her stepfather pulls big bucks from his construction company. He should've pay if she can't grow up! (And what if I tell her mother that he came on to Bunny two times?)
You can see that I am serious and ready to be a father. And after a few years you will see I will be ready for another kid. You could show me as a good example of a teenage father.
I just want what's equal and fair.
Yours sincerely,
Patrick "Pat" Familias
Call: 654-3210 and ask Nancy to rite a message.
Q:
Explain whether or not the social agency should accept or refuse Pat's
request for adoption. How is his
situation different from Norma Jean, following?
Source: Momma's
Boys by Messalina Corleone, Brotherhood Press New York, 1956
Pregnancy
Dilemmas C1
February 30 1999
This is for Leslie Bean my social worker in downtown Woman Center
Dear Ms. Bean,
You asked me to rite the truth about Joey, so here it goes. It's Joey's fault he didn't use a condom. Guys always want sex and you told me that they never listen to 'NO' so i said i was OK Later I just thought I missed period's 'cause I am dieting and doing some drugs and getting moods. Anyhow Gloria said i was getting fat and she got a pregnancy test and i just flipped out! I just couldn't tell my mom until i was five months gone and mom called Joey's parents and his father called me slum trash!!! I cried because i really love Joey but how could he scream at me to get an abortion? I know the one i did before him was like killing. now I know that my baby saved my life. no more hellraising for me.
Mom says its a fact that Joey is a XXXXX just like my father who dumped mom when he got her preggnant with my sister at 15 anyhow i'm 17 too young too live with a guy and Joey's too immatture (all he cares about is sports and his BComm) Not like me now DID I EVER GROW UP FAST!!! before i used too be stupid but "its my body and my life and i'm a woman" and i'm a mother now. anyhow its really his fault And he was the onley one after my birthday i'm absolluttely 1000% shure it's Joey's.
I told you his family's got lot's of mony with his car and sellfone and computter you should see his house and the stereo and TV in his room!! so he should pay for his baby. Brad's 3 months now and he cries so much and i'm exossted and i fall asleep with him in front of the tv so how can i study!?!! Sometimes I get so crazy I scream at Brad and onley once I hit him. I know that's wrong, but I need help.
I dont want to go back to working at SuperFries i want to get my own appartament with all the furniture and things i need a daycare and babysitters and mother classes in the special high school I want to be a cosmetoligist or a daycare teacher or maybe a pyshologist at the rape center. Just give me a chance and you will see what I can do.
we can be a family, just the too of us. I love my baby to death I'll do anything for Brad, he won't grow up to be a looser like all the guy's i dated TELL THE JUGE TO MAKE JOEY BE A FATHER AND PAY NOW!!!
"All true from me"
Norma-Jean Morrinson
ps- I'm so lonley i cry alot.
Q:
Should the Court require that Joey pay financial support for Brad until
he reaches age 18?
Sources:
"When Children Want Children" - Leon Dash
"Young Mothers" - Montreal Gazette 28 Nov. 94
"Sex and America's Teenagers" - Alan Guttemacher Institute
"Young, Poor and Pregnant" - Janice Musick
"The Baby Trap" - People Magazine 24 Oct.94
... continued
Pregnancy
Dilemmas C2
Teenage
Mom
Joey's letter to his lawyer
15 March 1999
Mtre. Abraham Goldberg
Abrams, Goldberg & Zilberstein
Attorneys
100 Place Ville Marie
Dear Mtre. Goldberg,
Thank you for answering my father's request so soon. Father assured me that I may write to you in full confidence. This letter presents my case, in all honesty.
Norma Jean was no 17 year-old virgin. Her first (?) pregnancy was with some gorilla biker who she delivered drugs for. No wonder she aborted it so fast. I was not her 'one true love' that summer. To put it bluntly, NJ is a stunning party vixen with fire in her loins. Yes, I did sneak her home a few times when the house was empty, but not to teach her spreadsheet management. She taught me instead - plenty. She also left with some very expensive 'presents.'
She lied about using contraception. She stalled taking a pregnancy test, as though she didn't know she was five months gone. She decided on no abortion this time. And three months after her (my? - I doubt it) baby was born, she wants $1000. a month for life! Believe me, I am the one who was 'screwed.'
Why was NJ supposed to be too young to consent to sex with me, but she is not too young to refuse abortion, have a baby; and demand a lifetime income; from my hard work in school and my career, that she could never earn on her own? This chick is not stupid!
I am willing to pay a small amount of money to get NJ and her druggie mother out of my life for keeps. Her baby's future is already wrecked from the flood of booze, tobacco, dope, and God knows what other crap NJ pumped into her veins during her pregnancy. Why don't we have laws to protect innocent children from that kind of abuse?
As an adult before the law, at least I can protect my parents' assets and income from seizure. However, I would like to complete my education uninterrupted. I am a young man who has learned some hard lessons about pretty girls and lust. Please help me to get this mess behind me.
Yours respectfully,
Joseph ("Joey") Issacson
Pregnancy
Dilemmas D
Executive
Single Mother
Jason
Enright II
Associate
Vice-President for Public Relations
Monday, 30 February 1999
Emanuelle,
We have both had our fill of arguments about your pregnancy. You have made your inflexible opinion clear to me. Here is my position in writing, so that you may not deny it at a later date.
When I told you that I would never leave my wife, you laughed and said that you wanted a 'no strings-attached affair' with a manager who could appreciate your executive and passionate skills. You also assured me that a self-made woman does not bother her lover with last minute contraceptive barriers to fun. We are both mature adults, and we shared our love with our eyes open. We enjoyed intoxicating times at the conventions in Hawaii, Vienna, Moscow, and Tokyo. You were eager for clandestine delights after evenings at work, and even a few stolen lunch hours. I meant every word I said to you, because those were among the best times in my life.
Last month you announced that you decided to continue your four-month pregnancy. You never told me that you deliberately stopped using the Pill. You proclaimed that your baby would be your decision, your responsibility, and raised by you alone. You announced that if I wanted to play any part in your baby's life, I might do so on your terms, but never as the child's biological father, which you would deny. Your snide assurance that 'only the mother ever knows for sure the father of her child' was not amusing.
You have met my two teenage daughters, and let me assure you that parenthood cannot be undertaken on a part-time schedule. A family requires two parents committed life-long to the care and education of children. A child is not another executive toy to add to your BMW, stereo-video system, bonsai trees, and your couturier power wardrobe. What will you tell our ten-year old child when she asks why her father abandoned her? More of your 'independent executive woman' credo? I will not have my body opportunistically used as a sperm bank by you for 'management genes' so that you can hire child services to play house as a part-time hobby. If you want to exploit yet another yuppie service, go to a sperm bank and get yourself fertilized with the seed of some male who cares as much about money as you.
I demand that you end this pregnancy at once. Need I tell this to you, a board member of the Liberation Abortion Clinic, and the past vice-president of The Women's National Action Group? Have you forgotten your slogan: 'Our bodies, Our lives to live'? The same applies to men. Find yourself a willing co-procreator.
Once this problem is behind us, I am willing to consider returning to the way we were.
You know I will always love you,
Jason
Q:
Explain whether or not Emanuelle
should end her pregnancy because of Jason's demands.
Source: Looking
Out For Number One by E. Gabor Ms.
Press Washington, 1990
Pregnancy
Dilemmas E
Dear Diana,
First, I
want you to know that I still love you, as much as ever. You know that I have shown you my love in
many ways. I was happy to work with you on your biochemistry and data
processing assignments. We both got "A"s. You called me your
"nerd super-hunk” How could you forget those delicious afternoons in your
room? Why do you hang up on my calls? I
miss you so much, it hurts.
What a
birthday present you offered me: nine days with you at the Olympic Lodge in
Aspen Colorado, skiing, hiking and swimming!
You reserved a room with a view of the Rockies. When I told you that a poor guy like me
couldn't afford my share, not even ski clothes and equipment, you said:
"That's no problem, daddy paid for the hotel and 'plane tickets, and my
step-father gave me his gold AmEx
card, so you can charge up to $2000. It's their presents for the
'A's." You said: "No
arguments, they spend plenty more on themselves. This is my present for my
man. I love you. Please take it." I was so happy I couldn't sleep.
Please
Diana, let me explain what happened. At
2:00 AM on TV, I saw a documentary on the Rwandan Orphan Adoption Plan. A tiny three year-old girl stared at me
desperately with her big tear-filled eyes.
I realized that we could save that girl's life. I called and pledged only the $2000. In our name, as Mr. and Mrs. Chan. It's so simple. Just cash in the hotel and air fare tickets, and we can pay the
full $6000. Adoption bond. Her name is
Angelique.
We won't
have to interrupt our education. We can
still continue university to our master's degrees and beyond. All we need is
for you to ask your family to help us with a small apartment and some living
expenses. You know I never wanted your
money. I am just asking for Angelique.
I can support myself just fine.
It's this simple: without us as
parents, Angelique may not survive.
Look at
it this way: what if you became pregnant?
We took plenty of crazy chances before you went on the Pill. You know that you are the only woman ever in
my life, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I'm the oldest brother of six, so I have
plenty of experience taking care of babies.
I will do more than my share of housekeeping, and still enjoy helping
you with your studies.
When I
tried to explain all this to your step-father, he called me: "a greedy
immigrant opportunist." (Please tell him to stop AmEx's threatening calls
to my father. He doesn't speak English.)
My parents say that I should stay with my own people. We are the proof that love knows no boundaries.
I know that you were just not thinking clearly when you shouted that you could:
"find ten guys who could afford Aspen, with more smarts and more fun in
bed." I forgive you.
God is
watching us. How can we live with our
consciences if we abandon Angelique? Marry me, and with our love, we can make a
miracle. I know that you still love
me as much as I love you.
x
Andy
I'm waiting for your call.
Q: What
are the arguments for and against Diana marrying Andrew?
Pregnancy
Dilemmas F
An
Obedient Wife and Daughter-in-Law?
Carmen, Friday 12 May 1999
I apologize for the nasty remarks made by Céline and Franciscus. My sister sees the world through God's laws, and to her you are Pride and Lust incarnate. I have learned to tolerate or ignore her beliefs for the sake of family peace. I discovered how important my family values are to me as you ridiculed each one: no marriage, no children, no family respect, and no God. My parents want me to meet some girls from back home from good families. After I moved in with you, I couldn't marry anyone from my community in Canada.
After three weeks of silence I suppose you have decided to add my name and gifts to your 'experience' list in your diary. My reason tells me that you are right. You taught me about love and passion, and that you can make a man joyful, crazy and desperate, all in one day. Together our life was a mixture of heaven and nightmare. Every man envied me when I walked with your arm in mine. But I wonder how often have I met or spoken to the men you considered 'entertainment'?
Maybe as the weeks pass my pain of missing you will ease. You changed my life. I will never forget you.
love still,
Don
...... . ......
Hi Don, Friday 12 May 1999
A few weeks ago I told you I needed some time alone to re-think our relationship. Everything has changed now - I'm pregnant. All you have to do is declare it yours, as my husband. Yes, now I'm willing to marry you. No, I still don't agree with your family's religious dogma against abortion. This is my baby, and I want it. It can be yours also. I won't go on with this pregnancy without you. I know from my messed-up childhood with my single mother that a child needs the love, care and income of two parents.
I know you will be a terrific father. A woman doesn't have to learn how to be a mother; that comes naturally. I'll do my best to behave like the wife and daughter-in-law you and your family want. Your family has to realize that we don't live in the Holy Land. Canadians don't believe in virginity before marriage (you sure don't). You must do your share to start on the right foot: I told you plenty of times that those two flings meant nothing to me - I came back to you every night. Try to grow up and keep a lid on your male chauvinist "I am the man in this house" b.s.
I have a few conditions also. I will watch what I say, but tell your viper sister and her mouse of a husband to keep their sanctimonious sermons for their children. Maybe you could convince your father that just because I intend to keep working, all actresses are not 'harlots.' You could bring your folks to my performance as Nora in Ibsen's "A Doll's House." We will need every dollar we can earn, and I don't intend to contribute nothing as a trapped housewife. Maybe your mother can spare some of her fussing time from her other grandchildren and find some for her new granddaughter.
You know that once your mother and father find out that I'm pregnant, they will insist that we marry. The saintly minister in your church might even perform the marriage ceremony without keeping his eyes in my décolletage. As soon as my mother set her eyes on you, she called you "Mr. Right,” and you are as my husband and father of my child.
I sent you this letter so that you could think clearly about us as a family. Don't wait too long to answer.
Love,
Carmen
Q: Should Don marry Carmen?
What advice should his parents offer to him?
Pregnancy
Dilemmas
These cases have been designed to encourage students to debate the contradictions inherent in 'double standards,' past and present. Although all the letters are fictitious, the stories have been adapted from wide research.
Students should be encouraged to carefully examine each letter, since almost every phrase has been chosen to add elements crucial for comprehension of each case. Students should be left to discover their practical and moral path thorough these dilemmas. Their debates will be lively.
Teachers should resist preferring or offering resolutions for these dilemmas. Students must be encouraged to find their own practical and moral paths through these labyrinths.
Jurisprudence regarding unintended pregnancy is unlike almost all other law: intent is irrelevant: Legally, 'her biology becomes his destiny.' The Canadian Supreme Court has twice decided that neither a husband nor lover may require a pregnant woman to undergo, nor prevent her from choosing, an abortion. [Chantal Daigle and Barbara Dodd cases, 1993] For children born outside of marriage, a male procreator is not legally entitled to demand biological proof of paternity. An unmarried father is not preferred for adoption of his biological child over a third party. Nor is a husband legally entitled to demand a biological test of the paternity of his wife's children, born during their relationship. Even if a husband can prove years subsequently that his wife's children were not procreated by him, he remains legally bound to full lifetime support of those children as their legal father.
Currently, the biological capacity for pregnancy of a female, and all of her subsequent decisions for or against parenthood, has been entrenched in law as binding on a male sexual partner. Regardless of whether he or she intended to transform recreational sex into life-long parental obligations, only her subsequent decisions are enforceable by law. She is also supported by the contemporary feminist hegemony in professional forums and the mass media. Contemporary law and ideology justify 'double standards' equivalent to those condemned in the past.
'Victorian' double standards have remained entrenched in law, despite over thirty years of universal availability of many contraceptive choices for females. Canada's abortion regulations are unique worldwide because abortion is not part of the criminal code. After twenty-five years of protest and litigation, Canadian abortion accessibility is near-universal, and available on demand, at no cost through Medicare. The imminent availability of RU-248 and its equivalents (the 'abortion pill') may fully empower private female conception choice. Men's legal choices end at the moment of conception.
Jeffrey Asher
Montreal Canada
July 9, 2001