Very interesting to read the comments of James and DC, even though it's been a while since my original post. (Must admit I had forgotten it.)
Seems we have hit upon a topic that is seldom discussed anymore, and that itself is very telling. Society has seemingly accepted promiscuity and many other social mores that were frowned upon 50 years ago. (It certainly was happening though!)
Like technology, there has been an exponential explosion of more sexulation and the introduction of what I consider very bizarre and dangerous practices. Have you noticed that sexually passed diseases and conditions have disappeared from the lexicon? They have become almost as acceptable as the common cold! But they remain much more dangerous with some horrific consequences.
I look forward to more dialogue. It's sorely needed.
Agree, Nancy that the question of abortion and the issue of "free love" or unprotected sex can not easily be disentangled. Thank you for bringing this issue up. The abortion question is much more difficult to resolve in a culture where taking responsibility for one's actions, including the unintended consequences, is not normative. Our sick "not my problem" culture must change if we can ever have any hope of working together to fix our societies ills.
Not to stir the hornet's nest, but you overlooked, IMHO, an important part of the equation: sex. That subject is probably less contentious than abortion, but we wouldn't be talking about the latter without the former. In current society, sex has become almost as casual as a handshake. And all the arguments regarding abortion apply somewhat to sex. Both things can lead to unwanted consequences. It's probably impossible to put the genie back into the bottle, but I do think it's important and needs examining.
Very interesting to read the comments of James and DC, even though it's been a while since my original post. (Must admit I had forgotten it.)
Seems we have hit upon a topic that is seldom discussed anymore, and that itself is very telling. Society has seemingly accepted promiscuity and many other social mores that were frowned upon 50 years ago. (It certainly was happening though!)
Like technology, there has been an exponential explosion of more sexulation and the introduction of what I consider very bizarre and dangerous practices. Have you noticed that sexually passed diseases and conditions have disappeared from the lexicon? They have become almost as acceptable as the common cold! But they remain much more dangerous with some horrific consequences.
I look forward to more dialogue. It's sorely needed.
Agree, Nancy that the question of abortion and the issue of "free love" or unprotected sex can not easily be disentangled. Thank you for bringing this issue up. The abortion question is much more difficult to resolve in a culture where taking responsibility for one's actions, including the unintended consequences, is not normative. Our sick "not my problem" culture must change if we can ever have any hope of working together to fix our societies ills.
Not to stir the hornet's nest, but you overlooked, IMHO, an important part of the equation: sex. That subject is probably less contentious than abortion, but we wouldn't be talking about the latter without the former. In current society, sex has become almost as casual as a handshake. And all the arguments regarding abortion apply somewhat to sex. Both things can lead to unwanted consequences. It's probably impossible to put the genie back into the bottle, but I do think it's important and needs examining.