To take an arguably 'Caitlin Moran' simplistic, black and white, hairy and bald vulva approach to feminism, let's say you're a woman, with a functioning set of lady bits (I told you we were going Caitlin here for a sec). Let's say that you're a sex worker with a desire to do other things in your professional life (obviously you AREN'T because we're taking the simplistic feminist approach). Let's say you find yourself pregnant. Oh yeah, also you had breast implants. On the NHS. Are you still allowed to have an abortion if you so desire one?
It probably won't surprise you that my answer to that question is...yes. Yes you are. Because I believe in every child being a wanted child and pregnancy is dangerous, even now.
It probably won't surprise you that my answer to that question is...yes. Yes you are. Because I believe in every child being a wanted child and pregnancy is dangerous, even now.
Would it be wonderful if abortion was never ever required? Yes. Of course. Will you eliminate abortion through shaming and disapproval? Well, I don't see muggings, or rape or other crimes going down because it inconveniences people's moral code and they don't like it. So we can probably jump to the conclusion that that tack doesn't work.
You never know all the reasons for someone's abortion. Are they important? They don't wish to continue the pregnancy. For complete strangers I'm afraid that has to be enough reason for you.
Like most people I have people on my Facebook list who I recall quite liking, or I don't recall them being nasty to me at school, so I'm friends with them. Some of these people have posted up the story of Josie Cunningham with the sharp commentary "vile scum".
You never know all the reasons for someone's abortion. Are they important? They don't wish to continue the pregnancy. For complete strangers I'm afraid that has to be enough reason for you.
Like most people I have people on my Facebook list who I recall quite liking, or I don't recall them being nasty to me at school, so I'm friends with them. Some of these people have posted up the story of Josie Cunningham with the sharp commentary "vile scum".
| If you aren't familiar with the name Josie Cunningham allow me to enlighten you. Last year Josie had an NHS breast augmentation worth (I am reliably informed by the Daily Mail ) £4800, stating that her A cups were causing her low self esteem. | Cosmetic surgery, litigiousness, sex work. These aren't usually great strategies to endear yourself to a nation. |
Once Josie had the op and posed for The Sun she announced that surgery had not improved her life as she had hoped and in fact she was going to sue the NHS for clinical negligence and emotional distress. Josie then changed her mind and decided she would instead fund her own breast reduction and reimburse the NHS through her work as an escort.
Cosmetic surgery, litigiousness, sex work. These aren't usually great strategies to endear yourself to a nation. But if you're seeking both fame and financial security for you and your two sons...well, it's a hard story to resist.
But tabloids! Wait until you hear of this twist in the tale of Josie. For young Josie is pregnant! Oh me oh my! And wait! Hark at these juicy quotes straight from Josie's lip glossed mouth: "At first I thought thank God it's a footballer or a doctor and not a Big Issue seller and they have money.
"Suddenly I was pregnant and I could get free dental work on the NHS, so I got a tooth straightened for cosmetic reasons, and it all seemed great."
Great! But if you can believe it this is not what's got everyone going. There's more. OH YES.
"But then I started to think. I didn't want to be famous for having a Âfootballer's baby or for being the girl who had a kid by someone who paid for sex.
"I want to be famous for being me - Josie Cunningham, a glamour model and celebrity in my own right. If I want to do that I need to put my career first.
"I want the attention to be on me, not on who fathered my child."
Josie revealed that she had been in talks with Channel 5 on appearing in Big Brother. I had no idea people still went on this or that it was continuing but...each to their own. "Channel 5 were keen to shortlist me then they found out I was pregnant.
“Then they suddenly turned cold. That was when I started considering an abortion. After the operation I will be going back to them and asking if they will still consider me.
"I've also had loads of other offers to further my career - and I'm not willing to give them up because I'm pregnant."
Josie is of a generation who we have taught to hunger for nothing but fame through any means. Give them a hoop and they will jump through it. Tell them their nose, their hair, or the content of their uterus is wrong and they will fix it.
Channel 5 apparently expressed a wish for Josie's womb to be unoccupied. She has acquiesced and shown she would do anything for fame. You know what? I hope Josie's dreams come true, but they sound a little naive to me: "An abortion will further my career. This time next year I won’t have a baby. Instead, I'll be famous, driving a bright pink Range Rover and buying a big house. Nothing will get in my way."
So who do we address our anger at? At the producers who think a pregnant lady won't be particularly interesting (or too much of an insurance nightmare perhaps) for TV? At the fat cats who profit most from cheaply made reality TV or glamour images?
No, we go for Josie. And funnily enough...that's what Big Brother wants.
Squeamish Kate
Cosmetic surgery, litigiousness, sex work. These aren't usually great strategies to endear yourself to a nation. But if you're seeking both fame and financial security for you and your two sons...well, it's a hard story to resist.
But tabloids! Wait until you hear of this twist in the tale of Josie. For young Josie is pregnant! Oh me oh my! And wait! Hark at these juicy quotes straight from Josie's lip glossed mouth: "At first I thought thank God it's a footballer or a doctor and not a Big Issue seller and they have money.
"Suddenly I was pregnant and I could get free dental work on the NHS, so I got a tooth straightened for cosmetic reasons, and it all seemed great."
Great! But if you can believe it this is not what's got everyone going. There's more. OH YES.
"But then I started to think. I didn't want to be famous for having a Âfootballer's baby or for being the girl who had a kid by someone who paid for sex.
"I want to be famous for being me - Josie Cunningham, a glamour model and celebrity in my own right. If I want to do that I need to put my career first.
"I want the attention to be on me, not on who fathered my child."
Josie revealed that she had been in talks with Channel 5 on appearing in Big Brother. I had no idea people still went on this or that it was continuing but...each to their own. "Channel 5 were keen to shortlist me then they found out I was pregnant.
“Then they suddenly turned cold. That was when I started considering an abortion. After the operation I will be going back to them and asking if they will still consider me.
"I've also had loads of other offers to further my career - and I'm not willing to give them up because I'm pregnant."
Josie is of a generation who we have taught to hunger for nothing but fame through any means. Give them a hoop and they will jump through it. Tell them their nose, their hair, or the content of their uterus is wrong and they will fix it.
Channel 5 apparently expressed a wish for Josie's womb to be unoccupied. She has acquiesced and shown she would do anything for fame. You know what? I hope Josie's dreams come true, but they sound a little naive to me: "An abortion will further my career. This time next year I won’t have a baby. Instead, I'll be famous, driving a bright pink Range Rover and buying a big house. Nothing will get in my way."
So who do we address our anger at? At the producers who think a pregnant lady won't be particularly interesting (or too much of an insurance nightmare perhaps) for TV? At the fat cats who profit most from cheaply made reality TV or glamour images?
No, we go for Josie. And funnily enough...that's what Big Brother wants.
Squeamish Kate
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