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Birth Control For Bad Situations?


Faithful heart

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PedroX is right, there are still many arranged marriages in India (and other countries in asia) - in fact it has a 'knock on' effect in the UK where girls are often taken to the country of their family origin for arranged marriages without their consent where they are forced into these marriages. The numbers are so significant that the police and courts are currently looking at what can be done under the law here to prosecute family members if the girl wishes and there will be changes in the immigration law to prevent 'spouses' of these types of marriages from having the right to live here.

It's surprising that the advice was given to the young girl to use the pill though - I can't imagine that contraception is cheap there, it doesn't seem as if she is from a wealthy background or would have her own independent financial means, so aside from what we may feel about contraception because of our beliefs, it would seem a rather cruel piece of advice for the girl anyway.

I agree with HSMom, it's a very sad situation all round.....

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CreepyCrawler

Gandhi was very much against artificial birth control. Just wanted to say that.

It seems like in this situtation, it would be better if that woman prayed hard that her husband and mother-in-law changed their minds and still consent to the possibility of having more children. It seems harsh, but if the husband and mother-in-law really want more children (probably an economic thing, more hands to help on the farm or support the family eventually) and this woman goes on birth control, violence may ensue, possibly death. you'd be surprised at how many bride burnings happen in India today. I don't mean to paint Indians as horrible people, but there are some really bad families out there who only care about money. And in small villages, more children is the equivalent.

If that 'educated' Indian woman really wanted to help, she'd offer some financial help to the family so they could feed the three kids, not offer birth control, which that impoverished family probably can't afford anyway.

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A few points of clarification.

Creepy, birth control is probably available to the woman for little or no cost through NGO's such as the United Nations. It is quite likely that this would not pose much if any of a financial barrier.

On Hindus and life.

Ghandi was opposed to artificial birth control because of the Hindu belief in reincarnation. If a sould does not have a chance to be born, they can not reincarnate and move up the ladder to Nirvana. But, the Hindu religion is not affirming of life, at least not as we Westerners/Catholics would see it. A beggar, or an untouchable does not deserve help or pity. Obviously they did something in a previous life to deserve this treatment. Shiva, the destroyer, and Khali, goddess of death are worshipped for these reasons. The sooner death comes, the better chance at a higher reincarnation. This was explained to me after I gave money and food to beggars on the streets of Calcutta.

Ironmonk,

Why doesn't it matter how we explain it to them?

peace...

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CreepyCrawler

[quote name='PedroX' date='Apr 22 2004, 02:14 PM'] A few points of clarification.

Creepy, birth control is probably available to the woman for little or no cost through NGO's such as the United Nations. It is quite likely that this would not pose much if any of a financial barrier.

On Hindus and life.

Ghandi was opposed to artificial birth control because of the Hindu belief in reincarnation. If a sould does not have a chance to be born, they can not reincarnate and move up the ladder to Nirvana. But, the Hindu religion is not affirming of life, at least not as we Westerners/Catholics would see it. A beggar, or an untouchable does not deserve help or pity. Obviously they did something in a previous life to deserve this treatment. Shiva, the destroyer, and Khali, goddess of death are worshipped for these reasons. The sooner death comes, the better chance at a higher reincarnation. This was explained to me after I gave money and food to beggars on the streets of Calcutta.

Ironmonk,

Why doesn't it matter how we explain it to them?

peace... [/quote]
oh, i thought gandhi was opposed to artificial birth control because he felt that one of the big sins in life was pleasure without consequences -- having sex without having children would be one of those. but gandhi wasn't exactly a 'normal' hindu anyway.

i didn't realize that you could get birth control pills for free in india. always learning something new...

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[quote name='PedroX' date='Apr 22 2004, 04:14 PM'] A few points of clarification.

Creepy,  birth control is probably available to the woman for little or no cost through NGO's such as the United Nations.  It is quite likely that this would not pose much if any of a financial barrier. 

On Hindus and life.

Ghandi was opposed to artificial birth control because of the Hindu belief in reincarnation.  If a sould does not have a chance to be born, they can not reincarnate and move up the ladder to Nirvana.  But, the Hindu religion is not affirming of life, at least not as we Westerners/Catholics would see it.  A beggar, or an untouchable does not deserve help or pity.  Obviously they did something in a previous life to deserve this treatment.  Shiva, the destroyer, and Khali, goddess of death are worshipped for these reasons.  The sooner death comes, the better chance at a higher reincarnation.  This was explained to me after I gave money and food to beggars on the streets of Calcutta.

Ironmonk,

Why doesn't it matter how we explain it to them?

peace... [/quote]
Because the original post did not ask that... the original post asked what we thought of it.

[quote] What do you think about situations like this? [/quote]

God Bless,
ironmonk

Edited by ironmonk
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Mickey's_Girl

Good call, PedroX. I agree with the Church on birth control, but like you said, God's laws work best when they're all working together. All of your points were well spoken.

And if the woman isn't Catholic [or did I miss that?], how can we possibly expect her to follow the Church's teachings? That makes no sense. And if the man is selfish enough not to care what she thinks, then he's definitely too selfish to make NFP an option. NFP is doable only when both parties believe in it (or so my mother tells me!).

MG

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I was in a discussion on another board (http://www.cycleforums.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=55065) with someone who used birth control pills for cramps (no, she's not married and I don't believe she's sexually active). Needless to say, the discussion became very heated and was closed. What do you say to people who are prescribed birth control pills or similar hormones for other medical reasons?

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cmotherofpirl

Instead of finding out what is really wrong with a woman, docters prescribe the pill to "regulate" periods. I think its bad medical practice and not healthy for the woman. However, this is not the same as tasking the pill to avoid having children.

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Cmom is right, it's very bad medical practice. Who knows what kind of problems might result from taking the pill even with a supposed 'low dosage' to help period cramps? It's known that taking the pill long term can severely affect the woman's ability to conceive if she later decides she wants children for example. There are also other side effects from long term usage......and there are lots of natural remedies you can do to help with period cramps.....

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Norse,

Doctors and women (of which I am neither) have told me that in 99% of those cases another remedy exists for the problem. The problem is that the woman often must ask the Dr. for another option. That being said, I don't think its much of a moral problem for a single woman to take the pill. However, Drs. tell me that a woman should be off the pill for 6 months before trying to become pregant. This is to avoid the chance of birth defects caused by lingering horomones from the pill.

peace...

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PedroX,
I've heard the same things you have; also, another issue to take into consideration is that many women are unable to become pregnant for a time after having been on birth control -- another reason to avoid the stuff like the plague even if you are a single.

I'm not the most health-conscious person in the world, but to take something that deliberately messes with the works and could have permanent unknown affects scares me.

For issues such as cramps and irregularity, I know there are several natural remedies. And there's always Advil. :)

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voiciblanche

I don't think that is even something to think twice about. If she can't afford to feed her kids, she doesn't have more. Simple as that.

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God Conquers

haha, wouldn't the world be better if it were as simple as that!?

Unfortunately, the husband also figures into the equation in this instance, and given the place and attitudes, he may not like enforced abstinence on the part of his wife.

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voiciblanche

[quote name='God Conquers' date='Apr 23 2004, 08:17 PM'] haha, wouldn't the world be better if it were as simple as that!?

Unfortunately, the husband also figures into the equation in this instance, and given the place and attitudes, he may not like enforced abstinence on the part of his wife. [/quote]
::big, long sigh::

Yeah, I know. <_<

I'm telling you, the guy should just lay off the poor girl. For one thing, it's not like she's breaking her marriage vows; she's already pro-created three times. Secondly, it's not as if she just was like, "Honey, no more kids." They can't feed them! You don't have kids that you can't afford to feed. That would be the simple part, right? :(

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Birth Control is murder.

Usually a third world country will get birth control and abortions before they get food, medical care and pre-natal care.

The factors aren't just "in this situation". There are other factors as well. It is NEVER right to accept murdering a child b/c of what the circumstances may be after they are born.

Dr.'s NEVER tell you the options. It's always "Let me perscribe the pill for you" baloney. It's a money thing. :angry:

Peace and God Bless.

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