How would you react if you found out an ex-girlfriend had an abortion?

Discussion in 'Character Development' started by Kathleen B., Oct 15, 2014.

  1. chicagoliz

    chicagoliz Contributor Contributor

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    Yes, and I'm glad they pointed it out. What is your point?
     
  2. ddavidv

    ddavidv Senior Member

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    My point is I described how a male might react to the knowledge that someone he was involved with had had an abortion. I then offered the contrasting reaction that women frequently have in the same scenario. I thought it may be relevant for others who may read the thread. But since I don't have the right genitalia I am not allowed to present a contrasting opinion on the same topic. That it didn't directly address the title of the thread I am guilty of. That it was a point of elaboration on my own post I don't feel I should apologize for.
     
  3. AlannaHart

    AlannaHart Senior Member

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    ... Touchy. No one's attacking you, man.
     
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  4. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

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    No one has asked you for an apology. You are taking offense at offense on our part that does not exist. I don't feel that the extremely common error of assuming that one's personal anecdotal experience is universal requires an apology.

    If you had said, "My English teacher in fourth grade painted her house green, and my English teacher in seventh grade painted her house blue. This is how I know that most English teachers like cool colors," I would not doubt your word that your English teachers used that color of paint. I would point out that your anecdotal experience cannot convincingly be generalized in that way. This would not be because you were in the "wrong" profession, but because whether you were an English teacher or were in some other profession, your anecdotal experience wouldn't provide significant evidence for your assertion.

    You said that some women that you have known have told you about a specific reaction to an abortion. You added that a psychiatrist knew some patients with a similar reaction. I don't deny that the women that you know and the women that he/she treated had the reaction that you describe. I pointed out that your anecdotal experience cannot be generalized in that way. This is not because you have the "wrong" genitalia, but because whether you are a woman or a man, your anecdotal experience doesn't provide significant evidence for your assertion.
     
  5. chicagoliz

    chicagoliz Contributor Contributor

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    I was going to reply, but I can't add anything to what @ChickenFreak said.
     
  6. karmazon

    karmazon Member

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    I know the thread is quite old but that happened to me so maybe I can provide something useful.

    My reaction was supportive - I did not have a negative reaction. I did not get angry or any variation of that. I told her I was sorry she had to go through that.

    As one of my girlfriend once told me "nothing before 'I love you' matters," - an idealistic view, sure, but translating it into practical terms, her history before she met me is her business, has nothing to do with me, and I have no right to give her shit for it.
     
  7. Shayla

    Shayla New Member

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    It depends what type of character James is. Why DIDN'T Gwen tell James about the abortion?
    I can think of a few reasons, you may have others;

    1) She knew James would probably want to keep the baby - his reaction now would be anger he wasn't told or given a choice in the decision.

    2) Gwen knew he would side with her mother about the abortion and constantly be on her case to get it done - his reaction now would be glad that she did the right thing but upset that Gwen didn't think she could tell him. He may feel sorry he couldn't have been there to hold her hand through the ordeal.

    Or, if you really want to throw the story;
    3) Gwen was worried he would abandon her all together - his reaction now may be not even to tell Gwen he knows. Later in the story you could have Gwen find out James knows. Then it become who knows what? And then you have the predicament of what will James' reaction be now when Gwen tells him she knows her mother told him what happened.
     
  8. Stephen Paden

    Stephen Paden Member

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    Buy her a house.
     

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