Abortion day!
Apr. 9th, 2008 03:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theatokosToday was the day I went in to two of my friend D's 10th grade theology classes at an all boys' Catholic high school and talked about abortion in a social justice context. I was nervous. It's been years since I've been in the classroom, I haven't been sleeping well, I just wasn't as prepared as I normally would like to be, and well... it's a Catholic high school.
My friend D: we met at grad school, his undergrad is in Latin and Greek, his master's is in Patristics (early Church fathers), he's an Eastern Orthodox convert, and he's goofy and brilliant too! I am very honored that he asked me to come in and talk to his students. Before I go into what I said (I know some of you will be very interested, others not so much), I want to say that I was soimpressed with the school and the students. Who knew that a classroom of 15 yr old boys could be engaged and respectful in such a discussion?? They never once mocked each other for their opinions or ideas. Of course, not everyone seemed enthused or contributed - I mean, they are 15. But in comparison to my two years spent working primarily with 15 yr old boys in a public school, I was beyond impressed.
Personally, I have some issues with private school. But over the course of the morning I found myself thinking, "Wow, I would totally send my son here!" The grounds are nice, the faculty I met were open and friendly, the school's motto is "A De la Salle graduate is a man of faith, integrity and scholarship" - character traits I can get behind. The Catholic order that runs the school focuses on social justice. Catholicism, while not my favorite partly because of their strong adherence to dogma, is a very broad denomination. Some orders, like the Jesuits, focus on teaching, some on serving the poor, some on priestly duties; there is a whole array of emphases and attitudes in the Catholic Church. D had told me a little about this particular school and that the 10th grade theology curriculum was all focused around social justice. I think this is unbelievably cool. So while the official Catholic Church stance on abortion is unequivocally "NO, and no birth control either!" the curriculum for this unit encourages broader discussion about the issue. I can only dream that public schools would allow this sort of discussion around the topic!
D had prefaced my arrival with a discussion about why the debate over abortion needs to be thought about in terms of dignity and solidarity - two very important concepts in Catholic theology, pretty great concepts generally. By focusing on the issues of legality (while important!) many people get caught up in extremes, in being RIGHT, and in hoping that one law will make all of the grey areas go away. So how can we think about this divisive issue in terms of dignity and solidarity?
First, I talked briefly (really briefly) about what other denominations and a few other religions think about this issue (Judaism, Islam and Buddhism). Then, I asked them to think about resources, this was a major chunk of our time. I asked them to table for the time being their opinions about whether abortion was right or wrong and to think about IF a woman was to have an abortion what sort of resources she might need to have a safe, positive outcome. Mostly they came up with: access to the operation, money to pay for it, emotional support before and after. Then I asked them to think about what resources a woman might need to carry a baby to full term. Then, for if she chooses adoption or to keep the baby. Lastly, we talked about the resources necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Many of these resources overlap. I also tried to make the connection that the resources necessary for any of these options are the resources that we all need for happy, positive functioning in the work regardless of issues of pregnancy. We all need safe environments, healthy food and access to health care, education, emotional and practical support, money, etc. No matter what our views, most of us need the same things.
After this discussion, I read some basic statistics and talked a little bit about the myths and propaganda that both the pro-life and pro-choice sides perpetuate. For example, the hullabaloo over late term/partial birth abortions is really misleading. When these occur, they are usually for medical reasons. 90% of all abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy.
Armed with that sort of information, I then went on to present different scenarios. I started out super simple: a high school senior is pregnant. What should she do? Almost every response was, "Well, what are her circumstances?" They wanted more information. Not cut and dry. Or, a married couple is pregnant, but find out that the child has a severe genetic disorder. What should they do? Almost all said they should keep it. What if that couple doesn't have health insurance? That changed some answers. In each situation I asked the guys to tell me the resources that the woman or couple would need to make that decision work out for them. This proved to be very, very fruitful. Almost entirely the guys, even those who were obviously leaning more toward a pro-life position, thought that a young girl, with her future ahead of her, or a woman that had been raped, should choose the abortion. Almost entirely if the woman was partnered in some way she/they should keep the baby. I think that most Americans would respond similarly. What really impressed me was how willingly 15 yr old boys engaged in the complexities of the issue.
Finally, I asked them, "As young men, how can you stand with dignity in solidarity with women around this situation?" The first responses were all "Use birth control" or "Don't have sex until you're ready to face the consequences." Great answers. Trying to prod them into the larger picture I asked them to think beyond just being a sexual partner, to try to think as a brother, best friend, cousin, classmate, as a member of a larger community.
Overall, it was a really successful and enjoyable day. I'm going back next Thursday to speak to D's third theology class. I look forward to it.
My friend D: we met at grad school, his undergrad is in Latin and Greek, his master's is in Patristics (early Church fathers), he's an Eastern Orthodox convert, and he's goofy and brilliant too! I am very honored that he asked me to come in and talk to his students. Before I go into what I said (I know some of you will be very interested, others not so much), I want to say that I was soimpressed with the school and the students. Who knew that a classroom of 15 yr old boys could be engaged and respectful in such a discussion?? They never once mocked each other for their opinions or ideas. Of course, not everyone seemed enthused or contributed - I mean, they are 15. But in comparison to my two years spent working primarily with 15 yr old boys in a public school, I was beyond impressed.
Personally, I have some issues with private school. But over the course of the morning I found myself thinking, "Wow, I would totally send my son here!" The grounds are nice, the faculty I met were open and friendly, the school's motto is "A De la Salle graduate is a man of faith, integrity and scholarship" - character traits I can get behind. The Catholic order that runs the school focuses on social justice. Catholicism, while not my favorite partly because of their strong adherence to dogma, is a very broad denomination. Some orders, like the Jesuits, focus on teaching, some on serving the poor, some on priestly duties; there is a whole array of emphases and attitudes in the Catholic Church. D had told me a little about this particular school and that the 10th grade theology curriculum was all focused around social justice. I think this is unbelievably cool. So while the official Catholic Church stance on abortion is unequivocally "NO, and no birth control either!" the curriculum for this unit encourages broader discussion about the issue. I can only dream that public schools would allow this sort of discussion around the topic!
D had prefaced my arrival with a discussion about why the debate over abortion needs to be thought about in terms of dignity and solidarity - two very important concepts in Catholic theology, pretty great concepts generally. By focusing on the issues of legality (while important!) many people get caught up in extremes, in being RIGHT, and in hoping that one law will make all of the grey areas go away. So how can we think about this divisive issue in terms of dignity and solidarity?
First, I talked briefly (really briefly) about what other denominations and a few other religions think about this issue (Judaism, Islam and Buddhism). Then, I asked them to think about resources, this was a major chunk of our time. I asked them to table for the time being their opinions about whether abortion was right or wrong and to think about IF a woman was to have an abortion what sort of resources she might need to have a safe, positive outcome. Mostly they came up with: access to the operation, money to pay for it, emotional support before and after. Then I asked them to think about what resources a woman might need to carry a baby to full term. Then, for if she chooses adoption or to keep the baby. Lastly, we talked about the resources necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Many of these resources overlap. I also tried to make the connection that the resources necessary for any of these options are the resources that we all need for happy, positive functioning in the work regardless of issues of pregnancy. We all need safe environments, healthy food and access to health care, education, emotional and practical support, money, etc. No matter what our views, most of us need the same things.
After this discussion, I read some basic statistics and talked a little bit about the myths and propaganda that both the pro-life and pro-choice sides perpetuate. For example, the hullabaloo over late term/partial birth abortions is really misleading. When these occur, they are usually for medical reasons. 90% of all abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy.
Armed with that sort of information, I then went on to present different scenarios. I started out super simple: a high school senior is pregnant. What should she do? Almost every response was, "Well, what are her circumstances?" They wanted more information. Not cut and dry. Or, a married couple is pregnant, but find out that the child has a severe genetic disorder. What should they do? Almost all said they should keep it. What if that couple doesn't have health insurance? That changed some answers. In each situation I asked the guys to tell me the resources that the woman or couple would need to make that decision work out for them. This proved to be very, very fruitful. Almost entirely the guys, even those who were obviously leaning more toward a pro-life position, thought that a young girl, with her future ahead of her, or a woman that had been raped, should choose the abortion. Almost entirely if the woman was partnered in some way she/they should keep the baby. I think that most Americans would respond similarly. What really impressed me was how willingly 15 yr old boys engaged in the complexities of the issue.
Finally, I asked them, "As young men, how can you stand with dignity in solidarity with women around this situation?" The first responses were all "Use birth control" or "Don't have sex until you're ready to face the consequences." Great answers. Trying to prod them into the larger picture I asked them to think beyond just being a sexual partner, to try to think as a brother, best friend, cousin, classmate, as a member of a larger community.
Overall, it was a really successful and enjoyable day. I'm going back next Thursday to speak to D's third theology class. I look forward to it.
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no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 12:05 am (UTC)Thanks!
Date: 2008-04-10 12:15 am (UTC)That sounds truly horrible.
You know, it was easier to talk about this issue than I thought it would be. I was worried that it being a theology class at a religious school we would get hung up on one side or the other, but it wasn't like that at all. I didn't want to get into loads of statistics or force anyone into a box. It was really more about discussion and I was shocked to find high school boys so mature about it.
I think pulling the issue out of health or sex ed made the difference. Again, I wish wish wish that more schools could talk about this issue like this.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 12:16 am (UTC)Hopefully they understand, too, the importance of supporting women's decisions, rather than deciding what women should do for them.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 12:25 am (UTC)I wonder if I went a little light on this aspect though. Even though I COMPLETELY disagree with the Catholic Church, I did not want to walk into, even such a progressive, Catholic School and completely lay down my opinions. My main goal was to start a discussion about the broader implications of the issue.
What do you think?
(Also, have you heard about the reproductive rights internship?)
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 01:02 am (UTC)Just as another data point - I went to Bellarmine (in San Jose) for high school, and Santa Clara University for college. Both Jesuit run institutions. I had classes that had discussions & projects regarding abortion at both, and my memory is in the classes there never seemed to be an attitude that one stance was better or worse than the other. The approach was always to get us to think about all the different aspects of the issue, and to be able to back up whatever position was chosen.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 01:07 am (UTC)Funnily enough, my con law class is studying Roe v. Wade and its line of cases this week. It's fascinating if a bit upsetting at times--the Supreme Court has been especially insensitive to the plight of women in poverty who don't wish to be pregnant. It sounds like your kids today were more willing to discuss it than my class was this morning, though...I knew that if I spoke up it would be to rant, and I think the men in the class were hesitant to put their feet in their mouths. (The class is more than half women.)
I got the internship! Did I never post about that? I'll be starting June 2. I'm very excited, although I will be very poor. I also applied today to be on the same organizations Board of Directors, on the urging of the program director.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 01:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 01:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 01:22 am (UTC)I need to find me a yoga studio somewhere between Oakland and Marin, for sure...and a coffee shop with free wi-fi. Any recommendations?
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 01:31 am (UTC)As for internet cafes, where is your office located?
That's some daily commute. You will be welcome to crash here some times - at least in June! I wish I could offer something more substantial, but with a new born coming I don't think it's wise - for all parties!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 02:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 02:11 am (UTC)I wish I could offer something more substantial, but with a new born coming I don't think it's wise - for all parties!
Agreed--that's why I haven't and wouldn't ask. :-) You'll have enough going on without some law student bumming it on your couch.
The office is on 15th St, near the BART station, I've been told. The commute isn't nearly as bad as the Sonoma-Oakland commute I was contemplating for a little while. Still a good 50 miles a day--but not too much further than if I was commuting from Davis to Sac and back.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 07:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-11 02:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-11 06:16 am (UTC)I like the Jesuits, CAN is pretty involved with a cool social justice program at seattle u.
Meanwhile, I give financial aid package advice (who would have imagined me doing financial advising, scarey!) and give my opinion of various prom dresses...
Ah, spring in high school!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-11 11:59 pm (UTC)Abortion discussion nearly always gets me into trouble -- I get het up to the point of frothing rage very, very quickly on the subject. I really admire folks who can discuss abortion rationally.
Kudos to you!
no subject
Date: 2008-04-12 03:43 am (UTC)What also helped was D's preparation for my coming. He talked to the boys about how being legalistic and keeping the issue focused only in legal terms actually removed responsibility from individuals and communities! Not that the law isn't important, but his point - and I think it's a really good one - is that by focusing on the law only we forget that this issue is one that REAL INDIVIDUALS (who are part of families and communities) have to make, and the playing field isn't level.