June 25, 2012 - I'm kind of a big believer in determinism, which means I generally like to believe that everything happens for a reason. In Jennifer's case, "no, Theresa was not supposed to give birth." Theresa's death was a catastrophic event that led Jennifer to the place she is now, and had Theresa given birth Jennifer probably wouldn't be where she is.
From a greater perspective, Theresa's death significantly impacts the narrative, and I'd have less story if she hadn't died. Likewise Dr. Gregory's wife's death also adds a layer of depth that may similarly be a bit overdramatic, but to a certain extent I really want to use somewhat extreme examples to emphasize how difficult and emotional the decision over how to handle an unintended pregnancy can be.
I don't really think Jennifer has the most sound argument to have a child as a way of coping with loss, but there's no right or wrong answers for making a decision either way. There's a lot of complexity to making a choice regarding abortion, and Jennifer is desperately searching for an easy answer, which I don't think she's found. She's barely given the idea much thought really, just scratched the surface of wanting to replace the pain of one person's death with the birth of another. She hasn't asked what world and pressure would the child face if Jennifer brought it into the world constantly in the shadow of Theresa's life and untimely death. She hasn't asked if it would really be easier for Jennifer, or if it would constantly remind her of painful memories and put an unfair amount of pressure on the child.
But these aren't easy questions to answer. In fact, I think they might be impossible to answer. Despite the lack of certainty of any of these situations people still bring children into the world and still have abortions for all sorts of reasons. There's no way to say what's a good reason vs. what's a bad reason. Meanwhile, I can say whatever I want, but it's not me making everyone's decision for them. It's not anyone's decision really unless some one finds herself faced with a choice, and in that instance I think the ability to make that choice is much more important than the action she takes or the reason for that action.
So what else is there for me to say? I don't know. But I'm sure I'll have more to babble about tomorrow.
-D
From a greater perspective, Theresa's death significantly impacts the narrative, and I'd have less story if she hadn't died. Likewise Dr. Gregory's wife's death also adds a layer of depth that may similarly be a bit overdramatic, but to a certain extent I really want to use somewhat extreme examples to emphasize how difficult and emotional the decision over how to handle an unintended pregnancy can be.
I don't really think Jennifer has the most sound argument to have a child as a way of coping with loss, but there's no right or wrong answers for making a decision either way. There's a lot of complexity to making a choice regarding abortion, and Jennifer is desperately searching for an easy answer, which I don't think she's found. She's barely given the idea much thought really, just scratched the surface of wanting to replace the pain of one person's death with the birth of another. She hasn't asked what world and pressure would the child face if Jennifer brought it into the world constantly in the shadow of Theresa's life and untimely death. She hasn't asked if it would really be easier for Jennifer, or if it would constantly remind her of painful memories and put an unfair amount of pressure on the child.
But these aren't easy questions to answer. In fact, I think they might be impossible to answer. Despite the lack of certainty of any of these situations people still bring children into the world and still have abortions for all sorts of reasons. There's no way to say what's a good reason vs. what's a bad reason. Meanwhile, I can say whatever I want, but it's not me making everyone's decision for them. It's not anyone's decision really unless some one finds herself faced with a choice, and in that instance I think the ability to make that choice is much more important than the action she takes or the reason for that action.
So what else is there for me to say? I don't know. But I'm sure I'll have more to babble about tomorrow.
-D
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