[her_beautiful_mistake]

dr2005 - I have been thinking about the comparison between drinking alcohol and abortion and it just doesn't quite work.

When you are pregnant, you cannot simply choose not to be pregnant. That act has already taken place - you either have a baby or you have an abortion. It is a decision about what to do with your body yes, but arguably birth is more traumatic than an abortion (especially at the early stages). Childbirth is also, even today, a considerable danger to the mother (potentially one of the most dangerous things a woman will do). Yes you are choosing what to do with your body, but either option has dangers and negative aspects. With regards to age, you cannot simply wish away a pregnancy because the mother is 13. That is a situation that has to be dealt with -- and the potential complications of continuing the pregnancy at a young age are actually higher.

With the drinking ages, you are helping to avoid irresponsible drinking. Alcohol has a more detrimental impact on younger people. You are attempting to prevent people from causing harm to their body by not drinking alcohol. Choosing not to drink alcohol avoids harm. Choosing not to have an abortion does not.

You cannot choose to not have an abortion because then your body will not be put at risk. Both abortion and childbirth have considerable risks and dangers.

I don't know if I've really explained myself properly but in a nutshell, I think the argument is hugely flawed.