Abortion Ads on TV (the Solution to Teenage Pregnancies) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

little_tippler · 03-27-2009, 06:07 AM

For the first time ever in the UK, abortion clinics will be able to advertise on TV and Radio.

I saw this piece of news and was a little startled by the idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Guardian Online

Anti-abortion group attacks plan to allow pregnancy advice ads click to show

Link to article

Though it seems unlikely that abortion clinics will have the financial ability to do this despite the change in the law, how do you feel about this?

My initial reaction was that though support for people who make the choice to abort should be available, having commercials about it on TV seems to turn it into something routine, commonplace and in a way, a simple decision.

I am pro-choice, but I am aware that handing that power to choose to someone misinformed or poorly educated can result in a perversion of that possibility.

This seems to turn the possibility of abortion into something akin to buying a burger at McDonald's or the latest fashionable perfume.

Is this the message young kids should be receiving? Is this the best way to deal with teenage pregnancies? I think there must be better ways, though it's true too many kids turn to TV as a source of information.

I think other steps are more important before considering placing ads for this on TV. Like education and the responsibility of parenting.

I like to think I'm liberal enough, but with something like this I think caution and responsibly informing people is the key.

Willravel · 03-27-2009, 06:37 AM

I like the idea of making sure people are aware of where these places are in case the unthinkable happens, but advertising seems like making light of the situation. Being pro-choice does not mean being pro-abortion. Very few people are pro-abortion.

stevie667 · 03-27-2009, 06:43 AM

I don't think it is a good idea, the same with advertising condoms before the watershed, it will trivialise a major problem. Education about preventing the problem in the first place, instead of what to do when it happens is a better idea.

genuinegirly · 03-27-2009, 06:50 AM

I have mixed feelings on this matter.

But what it boils down to is this:

I don't feel that anyone should be prevented from advertising their business.

I do feel that TV stations have a right to refuse to air any advertisement they don't see fit for their viewers.

If there is a TV station that doesn't think advertising for an abortion clinic will negatively impact their viewership, then they should be allowed to accept the advertisements and therefore be able to air them.

telekinetic · 03-27-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie667

I don't think it is a good idea, the same with advertising condoms before the watershed, it will trivialise a major problem. Education about preventing the problem in the first place, instead of what to do when it happens is a better idea.

If education about preventing the problem is the answer, why do you object to more condom ads? Unless 'sex' is what you are seeing as the problem here.

Anonymous Member · 03-27-2009, 06:57 AM

Honestly, I'm pro-abortion.

That's not making light of the decision - for many people, it is a tough one - but I do think society would benefit if more people chose abortion. Obviously I think abstinence (when reasonable) and contraception are better options, but if someone gets pregnant who is unable to care for a child, they should have an abortion. Yes, it's a tough decision, and a large reason for that is social stigma. Abortion advertisements would certainly help in that regard.

I hope never to need an abortion, but I'm comfortable enough with where I stand to know I will not apologize for putting myself ahead of an undeveloped clump of cells with human DNA.

SecretMethod70 · 03-27-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

I don't feel that anyone should be prevented from advertising their business.

I do feel that TV stations have a right to refuse to air any advertisement they don't see fit for their viewers.

If there is a TV station that doesn't think advertising for an abortion clinic will negatively impact their viewership, then they should be allowed to accept the advertisements and therefore be able to air them.

I pretty much agree 100%

milkyp · 03-27-2009, 08:10 AM

I like this mostly. I am extremely pro-choice, I don't think it's anywhere near "murder", and in most cases it's a far better alternative to raising a child that a) you can't and b) you don't want to. That being said, I feel it's a good thing that more people will be getting the message that it is a perfectly viable option that should be thoroughly considered.

The downside that the OP mentioned was that the procedure could become more commonplace than it should be and i agree! I think it must be quite a traumatic experience that nobody should want to go through.

braisler · 03-27-2009, 08:54 AM

I sincerely doubt that any advertising would be geared to minimize the procedure or make it seem commonplace. I doubt that there would suddenly be, "Hey Kids! Isn't abortion fun? Let's all go get abortions!" or anything anywhere close to that. I'm sure that the advertising would be more to the tone of offering counseling and realistic options for pregnant women who don't know what to do.

I think that allowing advertising from both sides is the right thing to do. Right now, the only ads I ever see are from the Christian backed, adoption only pregnancy counseling centers. They've got more money to throw around for advertising anyway.

For the record, I am strongly pro-choice. Like our anonymous friend above, I'm on the cusp of being pro-abortion really. I think that there are far too many people who become parents by accident and do just an absolutely terrible job of it. No doubt that the child of an abusive, meth-addicted parent would be better off not being born. No doubt that society would be better off without that child, the problems and costs associated, etc.

stevie667 · 03-27-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twistedmosaic

If education about preventing the problem is the answer, why do you object to more condom ads? Unless 'sex' is what you are seeing as the problem here.

I don't object to condom ads, i object to them being shown to a younger audience that watches tv before the traditional 9pm watershed.

MSD · 03-27-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonymous Member

Honestly, I'm pro-abortion.

That's not making light of the decision - for many people, it is a tough one - but I do think society would benefit if more people chose abortion. Obviously I think abstinence (when reasonable) and contraception are better options, but if someone gets pregnant who is unable to care for a child, they should have an abortion. Yes, it's a tough decision, and a large reason for that is social stigma. Abortion advertisements would certainly help in that regard.

I hope never to need an abortion, but I'm comfortable enough with where I stand to know I will not apologize for putting myself ahead of an undeveloped clump of cells with human DNA.

I agree 100%

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevie667

I don't object to condom ads, i object to them being shown to a younger audience that watches tv before the traditional 9pm watershed.

Kids learn about sex when they're young, it's better if they learn about how to do it safely. I don't see a problem with it.

Strange Famous · 03-29-2009, 02:47 AM

Personally this is too much in my opinion.

I believe in the right to abortion absolutely, and information SHOULD be out there definitely so that girls and women can inform ther choices - BUT I dont support partial information such as commercial advertising being pushed onto people. The information out there should aim to inform people of ALL their available choices without bias, not - you know - offering good credit deals on abortion or whatever. Its an absolutely huge decision for anyone that goes through it, and I just think TV advertising is tacky and demeans the seriousness of the situation.

---------- Post added at 11:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

I don't feel that anyone should be prevented from advertising their business.

By that logic fast food restaurants should be allowed to advertise during KIDs TV

Hardcore pornography could be advertised on TV

Cigarette adverts inbetween children's TV programmes also.

Loan sharks allowed to advertise inbetween financial advise programms.

Beer companies could put up billboards outside alcoholics anonymous meetings.

Because the only thing any TV station cares about at the end of the day is making money... thats there logic. There has to be standards, there has to be some protection for people.

FoolThemAll · 03-29-2009, 07:46 AM

Sounds like the final step in a wonderfully modest proposal.

'Course, I'm anti-choice, so there was no way I'd be for this.

ASU2003 · 03-29-2009, 03:57 PM

Maybe they will have the same style as the big oil ads here over the past year. They talk about reducing oil use (or how to not need to use the abortion clinic services), but will put their logo and their core business area out there.

cdwonderful · 03-29-2009, 04:27 PM

couldnt be any worse than the lastest Quizno's ads.....

03-27-2009, 06:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
stevie667 Too Awesome for Aardvarks Location: Angloland	I don't think it is a good idea, the same with advertising condoms before the watershed, it will trivialise a major problem. Education about preventing the problem in the first place, instead of what to do when it happens is a better idea. __________________ Office hours have changed. Please call during office hours for more information.

03-27-2009, 06:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	I have mixed feelings on this matter. But what it boils down to is this: I don't feel that anyone should be prevented from advertising their business. I do feel that TV stations have a right to refuse to air any advertisement they don't see fit for their viewers. If there is a TV station that doesn't think advertising for an abortion clinic will negatively impact their viewership, then they should be allowed to accept the advertisements and therefore be able to air them. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

03-27-2009, 06:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Anonymous Member Addict	I like it Honestly, I'm pro-abortion. That's not making light of the decision - for many people, it is a tough one - but I do think society would benefit if more people chose abortion. Obviously I think abstinence (when reasonable) and contraception are better options, but if someone gets pregnant who is unable to care for a child, they should have an abortion. Yes, it's a tough decision, and a large reason for that is social stigma. Abortion advertisements would certainly help in that regard. I hope never to need an abortion, but I'm comfortable enough with where I stand to know I will not apologize for putting myself ahead of an undeveloped clump of cells with human DNA.

03-29-2009, 07:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
FoolThemAll Walking is Still Honest Location: Seattle, WA	Sounds like the final step in a wonderfully modest proposal. 'Course, I'm anti-choice, so there was no way I'd be for this. __________________ I wonder if we're stuck in Rome.

03-29-2009, 04:27 PM	#15 (permalink)
cdwonderful another passenger Location: Youngstown, Ohio	couldnt be any worse than the lastest Quizno's ads..... __________________ Never try to teach a pig to whistle it wastes your time, and annoys the pig.....

03-27-2009, 06:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I like the idea of making sure people are aware of where these places are in case the unthinkable happens, but advertising seems like making light of the situation. Being pro-choice does not mean being pro-abortion. Very few people are pro-abortion.

03-27-2009, 08:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
milkyp Tilted Location: Orlando, FL	I like this mostly. I am extremely pro-choice, I don't think it's anywhere near "murder", and in most cases it's a far better alternative to raising a child that a) you can't and b) you don't want to. That being said, I feel it's a good thing that more people will be getting the message that it is a perfectly viable option that should be thoroughly considered. The downside that the OP mentioned was that the procedure could become more commonplace than it should be and i agree! I think it must be quite a traumatic experience that nobody should want to go through.

03-27-2009, 08:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	I sincerely doubt that any advertising would be geared to minimize the procedure or make it seem commonplace. I doubt that there would suddenly be, "Hey Kids! Isn't abortion fun? Let's all go get abortions!" or anything anywhere close to that. I'm sure that the advertising would be more to the tone of offering counseling and realistic options for pregnant women who don't know what to do. I think that allowing advertising from both sides is the right thing to do. Right now, the only ads I ever see are from the Christian backed, adoption only pregnancy counseling centers. They've got more money to throw around for advertising anyway. For the record, I am strongly pro-choice. Like our anonymous friend above, I'm on the cusp of being pro-abortion really. I think that there are far too many people who become parents by accident and do just an absolutely terrible job of it. No doubt that the child of an abusive, meth-addicted parent would be better off not being born. No doubt that society would be better off without that child, the problems and costs associated, etc.

03-29-2009, 03:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	Maybe they will have the same style as the big oil ads here over the past year. They talk about reducing oil use (or how to not need to use the abortion clinic services), but will put their logo and their core business area out there.