South Park: “Abortion is the ultimate form of cheating”
The April 9 episode of South Park featured a segment on abortion. Click on the graphic below for the link:
Rock for Life taped a podcast about the episode. In it, according to RFL’s Phil Eddy…
We noted the numerous mentions of abortion in South Park episodes, and how they tend to leave a negative portrayal of both abortion and Planned Parenthood (which is the abortion mill in the show’s fictional town).
I compared this to the movie Knocked Up, which was heralded by many as “a pro-life movie for the rest of us sinners.”
While South Park is still one of the raunchiest shows on TV, I find it heartening that they are throwing in statements like “abortion is the ultimate form of cheating” and “abortion cheats nature itself” into episodes.
[HT: reader PrettyinPink]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
“cheating that little baby right out of a chance at life.”
I can’t watch this right now because I’m in a computer lab but if you have a kid at 16, you’ll only be 34 when it turns 18. And 34 is the new 24. You could start taking classes at a comunity collge, maybe try to intern somewhere. You could still become a success in the coperate world if it’s important to you.
I can’t watch this right now because I’m in a computer lab but if you have a kid at 16, you’ll only be 34 when it turns 18. And 34 is the new 24. You could start taking classes at a comunity collge, maybe try to intern somewhere. You could still become a success in the coperate world if it’s important to you.
Posted by: Jess at April 17, 2008 2:26 PM
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In the meantime, you can flip burgers for minimum wage, suppliment your income with food stamps, live in substandard housing and hope your latch key kid stays out of trouble and manages to earn a scholarship to college. Then someday you might have grandchildren and actually be able to afford those extras like vacations with them.
It’s not that easy Jess.
I’ll let my younger sister know you view her future as so bleak. If only she did what the Planned Parenthood counselor wanted her to do, and have that abortion….
Or you could just tell her yourself…
http://www.rockforlife.org/blog_response.php?id=2031
Hey Phil-
Welcome to reality:
The statistical portrait of teen mothers is depressing, beginning at birth.
Babies of teen mothers have 21% higher probability of low birth weight, increasing possibilities for infant death, blindness, deafness, chronic respiratory problems, mental retardation, mental illness, and cerebral palsy. It doubles chances for dyslexia, hyperactivity, and other disabilities.1
Teen mothers are often victims of abuse. As Kathleen Sylvester, vice president for domestic policy of the Progressive Policy Institute, wrote:
So rather than deal with pregnant teens, the answer is abortion? My sis works at Walmart and is not married. My older sister is also a single mother. She “moved” to Los Angeles in high school and has been on her own since. She’s been living on the brink of poverty (yes, the free cheese kind) with her son – all while working and studying towards a PhD in neuropsychology.
I’ve advocated for many things to help pregnant women, and (because I know it will come up), my voting record hasn’t leaned towards Republicans. But shouldn’t we advocate for actual help, rather than abortion?
Laura,
Blah, Blah Blah, you have posted that how many times? I knew it was your post before I even scrolled to the bottom.
Here we go again.
I’ll let my younger sister know you view her future as so bleak. If only she did what the Planned Parenthood counselor wanted her to do, and have that abortion….
Posted by: Phil at April 17, 2008 2:53 PM
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I certainly hope your younger sister is aware of the hardships of raising children without education or financial ability. It’s not a walk in the park. Working at Wal-Mart isn’t going to cut it. But then I’m sure that you are all over helping her with finances and free babysitting to make her life easier and education obtainable. Not to mention all that unpaid time off work that she is going to need soon. I’m sure that 10% associate discount is going to go a long way in covering the loss in wages! If she isn’t terminated of course. There is always welfare. I’m sure the CPC can give her directions to where to sign up.
Yea, your sister’s future looks real bright and shiny. @@
Sally,
women shouldn’t be “terminated” because she is pregnant. I agree with Phil. The answer shouldn’t be abortion. Let’s look for real answers!
PS. Jill, shouldn’t I get a hat tip, I did post about this the night it came on TV.
No “the answer” for pregnant teens isnt abortion. There isnt a ‘THE’ answer that is right for everyone. Every girl has a right to make her own decision. But lying to her about what her life is going to be like as a single mother isnt doing her any service. She MAY be able to go ahead, get an education, get a good job, and be able to support herself and her child without any kind of public assistance. But the fact of the matter is that is NOT how it works out for a whole lot of single teen mothers.
PiP, sorry I didn’t read your comment! Will give you a HT anyway… :)
Sally, Laura: We all agree that for the most part teenage motherhood is not a good idea.
But, as South Park so wisely indicated, your solution is to CHEAT, and not just with abortion.
Your solution is to CHEAT before that with promiscuous sex with the aid of fallable contraceptives.
TR:
There are 2 posts for you and SoMG from me on the “Catholic Communion Thread”.
Your solution is to CHEAT before that with promiscuous sex with the aid of fallable contraceptives.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at April 17, 2008 3:49 PM
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Were you promiscuous? Is that how you ended up a pregnant, unwed teenager?
I certainly hope your younger sister is aware of the hardships of raising children without education or financial ability. It’s not a walk in the park. Working at Wal-Mart isn’t going to cut it. But then I’m sure that you are all over helping her with finances and free babysitting to make her life easier and education obtainable.
Posted by: Sally at April 17, 2008 3:28 PM
Actually, in one month I will be leaving Virginia and moving to New York to help take care of her and Aiden (her baby). My money is in my mouth.
So rather than deal with pregnant teens, the answer is abortion? My sis works at Walmart and is not married. My older sister is also a single mother. She “moved” to Los Angeles in high school and has been on her own since. She’s been living on the brink of poverty (yes, the free cheese kind) with her son – all while working and studying towards a PhD in neuropsychology.
I’ve advocated for many things to help pregnant women, and (because I know it will come up), my voting record hasn’t leaned towards Republicans. But shouldn’t we advocate for actual help, rather than abortion?
Posted by: Phil at April 17, 2008 3:21 PM
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Abortion was obviously not an option for your sister. Therefore redundant to her situation.
I worked for Wal-Mart for 15 years as a young divorced mother of two. She will not find the institution single mother friendly. If she is lucky enough to be allowed to work enough hours to qualify for benefits, she will find them expensive and redundant as they will only cover what she personally pays into them. If she has worked there long enough, she may be eligible for paid time off. Otherwise she will have to make the choice of staying home with a sick child without pay and the possibility of termination or finding an affordable child minder on her miniscule pay.
I would suggest she get herself qualified for more stable employment ASAP. It certainly would not be easy with a new born but I’m sure that she can find a program at a nearby school. The idea of anyone repeating my horror of Wal-Mart employment when trying to raise children is completely depressing to me. Perhaps she could take some on line courses?
Thanks Jill!
Obviously I disagree with your contraception argument but that’s a given ;)
“Abortion is the ultimate cheating”.
How true.
Sally,
women shouldn’t be “terminated” because she is pregnant. I agree with Phil. The answer shouldn’t be abortion. Let’s look for real answers!
PS. Jill, shouldn’t I get a hat tip, I did post about this the night it came on TV.
Posted by: prettyinpink at April 17, 2008 3:41 PM
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There is no should or should not. The absolute truth is that being a young uneducated mother is very very difficult. Saying that there should be help out there for such women is spitting in the wind. It just isn’t happening quickly enough to make differences in the lives of the women effected. Working to make abortion illegal isn’t magically going to make resources available to young others. The need has always been there. Paying lip service to the need doesn’t cut it. Abortion is an option to avoid grinding poverty for some women. No way around it.
But lying to her about what her life is going to be like as a single mother isnt doing her any service.
Posted by: TexasRed at April 17, 2008 3:47 PM
Neither is lying to her about abortion and what that can do to women. (and babies)
Actually, in one month I will be leaving Virginia and moving to New York to help take care of her and Aiden (her baby). My money is in my mouth.
Posted by: Phil at April 17, 2008 3:56 PM
Phil,
That’s awesome!!! I commend you for your commitment to your sister.
PiP, sorry I didn’t read your comment! Will give you a HT anyway… :)
Sally, Laura: We all agree that for the most part teenage motherhood is not a good idea.
But, as South Park so wisely indicated, your solution is to CHEAT, and not just with abortion.
Your solution is to CHEAT before that with promiscuous sex with the aid of fallable contraceptives.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at April 17, 2008 3:49 PM
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Jill dear, I was married when I became pregnant with my children. You would be the promiscuous cheater. You and my ex husband who decided that he wanted to experience what he missed out on by marrying young. But then you took your punishment for cheating and gestated didn’t you. You seem to have a very negative attitude over how you came by your son.
But lying to her about what her life is going to be like as a single mother isnt doing her any service.
Posted by: TexasRed at April 17, 2008 3:47 PM
Neither is lying to her about abortion and what that can do to women. (and babies)
Posted by: Sandy at April 17, 2008 4:12 PM
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A dear friend of my step daughter recently died of an embolism during child birth. Perhaps we should scare Phil’s sister with such real life horror stories. Would that make you happy?
Laura said:
“Teen mothers are often victims of abuse. As Kathleen Sylvester, vice president for domestic policy of the Progressive Policy Institute, wrote:
Laura said:
“Teen mothers are often victims of abuse. As Kathleen Sylvester, vice president for domestic policy of the Progressive Policy Institute, wrote:
A dear friend of my step daughter recently died of an embolism during child birth. Perhaps we should scare Phil’s sister with such real life horror stories. Would that make you happy?
Posted by: Sally at April 17, 2008 4:22 PM
Are you kidding?
All women hear when they are pregnant are “scare” stories. People love to tell first time pregnant women their blue ribbon first place winning horror stories about childbirth.
I had men co-workers tell me about their wives labors, waitresses I didn’t even know, friends, relatives, store clerks, etc…… It never ended
A dear friend of my step daughter recently died of an embolism during child birth. Perhaps we should scare Phil’s sister with such real life horror stories. Would that make you happy?
Posted by: Sally at April 17, 2008 4:22 PM
Are you kidding?
All women hear when they are pregnant are “scare” stories. People love to tell first time pregnant women their blue ribbon first place winning horror stories about childbirth.
I had men co-workers tell me about their wives labors, waitresses I didn’t even know, friends, relatives, store clerks, etc…… It never ended
Posted by: Sandy at April 17, 2008 4:51 PM
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My goodness! How rude! No one offered up stories to me. But then it was still considered rather crude to even mention my ‘condition’ back then.
Haha. I saw that episode. I really wouldn’t take South Park too seriously.
Leah-
“eeek! A penis!”
Sally,
That’s my problem with much of the pro-life movement, more action needs to be done on behalf of the mothers, on a broader scale. Luckily, some of the places locally are trying to help out–I powerwalked a 5K last saturday to raise money for a parenting and mothering student scholarship.
There are a lot of janitorial jobs or other minimum wage jobs out there. I mean once the kid goes to school you have about 8 hours to work. If you live in like a loft or just one or two room apartment and buy only the necessities you should be able to get by without help from the government.
“cheating that little baby right out of a chance at life.”
Bethany, um, they didn’t say baby they said critter. I don’t know if you heard that or that was your own quote but that was what Cartman said.
Sally,
I work at a CPC and I can assure you we report EVERY SINGLE case of statutory rape. See we don’t profit by not reporting (like PP does). We tell our clients upfront that we are required by law to report cases of rape, incest, abuse, etc. If in the course of our meeting I determine her relationship is against state law I tell her right then that I have to report it. I’ve never even had a girl get upset over it. Most of them say that their parents already know.
And a note about the pro-life movement not helping out enough. Are you kidding me? You can’t go to the PP in our town and get formula, diapers, cribs, maternity clothes, swings, car seats, parenting classes, birthing classes, baby clothing, etc. But you can come to our CPC and get all of those and more for free. We are getting ready to hold an auction and were calling to secure reservations. One of the women said, “ohhh….we have a conflict of interest. I’m pro-choice.” I responded, “Ohh, so you don’t believe in supporting pregnant women who CHOOSE to parent their child….because that is what we do.” She hung up. It seems to me that pro-choicers only want to help women get an abortion.
Leah-
“eeek! A penis!”
Sally,
That’s my problem with much of the pro-life movement, more action needs to be done on behalf of the mothers, on a broader scale. Luckily, some of the places locally are trying to help out–I powerwalked a 5K last saturday to raise money for a parenting and mothering student scholarship.
Posted by: prettyinpink at April 17, 2008 5:21 PM
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You have expressed just such awareness and support many times. You are a rare PL.
There are a lot of janitorial jobs or other minimum wage jobs out there. I mean once the kid goes to school you have about 8 hours to work. If you live in like a loft or just one or two room apartment and buy only the necessities you should be able to get by without help from the government.
Posted by: Jess at April 17, 2008 5:25 PM
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Your average minimum wage job is not going to adjust your work hours to accommodate your child’ school schedule. That means day care. Where does the money come from when little Johnny breaks his leg and you have to take unpaid time off not to mention pay for the uncovered medical bills? Next month you are in the homeless shelter. Isn’t that uplifting!
Maybe if you were a cafeteria worker or janitor in a school it might be easier.
Sally,
I work at a CPC and I can assure you we report EVERY SINGLE case of statutory rape. See we don’t profit by not reporting (like PP does). We tell our clients upfront that we are required by law to report cases of rape, incest, abuse, etc. If in the course of our meeting I determine her relationship is against state law I tell her right then that I have to report it. I’ve never even had a girl get upset over it. Most of them say that their parents already know.
And a note about the pro-life movement not helping out enough. Are you kidding me? You can’t go to the PP in our town and get formula, diapers, cribs, maternity clothes, swings, car seats, parenting classes, birthing classes, baby clothing, etc. But you can come to our CPC and get all of those and more for free. We are getting ready to hold an auction and were calling to secure reservations. One of the women said, “ohhh….we have a conflict of interest. I’m pro-choice.” I responded, “Ohh, so you don’t believe in supporting pregnant women who CHOOSE to parent their child….because that is what we do.” She hung up. It seems to me that pro-choicers only want to help women get an abortion.
Posted by: Mandi at April 17, 2008 5:42 PM
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Are CPSs held to the same standard the PL wish for PP to be held to? Are you expected to do detective work in determining cases of statutory rape and incest? I’ve never heard of a case being reported. Perhaps LifeNews could be persuaded to take an interest in the vigilance provided by CPCs.
Parenting doesn’t end when a toddler is out of diapers and off formula. What do you really do for women to avoid a life of depressing poverty? Provide free day care and job training? Directions where to get a real hand up instead of a hand out?
Do you really believe that handing out a few freebies makes an impact on these women’s lives?
Maybe if you were a cafeteria worker or janitor in a school it might be easier.
Posted by: Jess at April 17, 2008 6:19 PM
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Those are coveted jobs by part time housewives looking for a little extra income and summers off with their children. A government job awarded by who you know. In my neck of the woods any way. And also minimum wage. You couldn’t afford a place to park you cardboard box on such wages.
Hm I guess you’re right Sally.
You have expressed just such awareness and support many times. You are a rare PL.
Posted by: Sally at April 17, 2008 5:59 PM
I think what PIP does is great. But please. Why do you think it is so rare for a PLers to help women? PLrs go to church and give money, donate items, attend fundraisers, do ultrasounds for free…I could go on and on.
I think it should be all women helping women. As Mandi stated PC also means you support women for deciding to keep their babies. Being that you are PC and support a woman’s right to “choose”
What have you done lately to help a pregnant woman in who needs help??????????????
Jess: In my experience, pink-collar jobs(which would include retail) are not mother-friendly.
Hm then I guess it would be best for single Moms to abort : /
I wouldn’t really trust a show like SOUTH PARK to spread a ‘pro life’ message, especially when they did a very Anti Catholic episode.
Anyway, I also donate to CPCs. I’ve donated car seat head rests, formula, receiving blankets, and baby clothes. I also made a donation to the local CPC. Some of the donations to my local right to life can be designated to help mothers – sometimes there’s a story of a mother who chose life that needs assistance – with rent or utilities or for car repairs.
Not all single moms end up on welfare and working at McDonalds. Its an attitude like this is what makes these young women in distress and in need of LOVE and SUPPORT think the only choice they have is ABORTION.
Jess: No. The solution should be that pink-collar jobs start paying closer to what blue-collar jobs pay. I find it very telling that female dominated pink-collar jobs do not pay close to what good blue-collar jobs pay. Probably a remnant of a time when people assumed that women took jobs for some “spending money” and not to support a family. Another solution would be to give single moms more opportunities to train for higher paying blue collar jobs.
(too bad that alot of our good manufacturing jobs went overseas)
South Park is one of the greatest shows of all time.
Eric Cartman rules.
@Doug: You speak the truth.
Though I have a special place in my heart for Butters. :)
You have expressed just such awareness and support many times. You are a rare PL.
Posted by: Sally at April 17, 2008 5:59 PM
I think what PIP does is great. But please. Why do you think it is so rare for a PLers to help women? PLrs go to church and give money, donate items, attend fundraisers, do ultrasounds for free…I could go on and on.
I think it should be all women helping women. As Mandi stated PC also means you support women for deciding to keep their babies. Being that you are PC and support a woman’s right to “choose”
What have you done lately to help a pregnant woman in who needs help??????????????
Posted by: Sandy at April 17, 2008 9:05 PM
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Healty pregnant women need little ‘help’. It doesn’t cost a dime to be pregnant with all those free resources you know. It’s when there are actually children to support that financial woes begin Sandy. Sure if a single mom belongs to a church she might have some cast off clothing and furnishing items available to her but what good does that do her when she can’t afford rent, daycare, transportation, medical care, money to put in the coffer?
Why is it up to other women to help support everyone’s children? Why doesn’t society make it uneccesary? Give women the resources to support themselves and their children?
I wouldn’t really trust a show like SOUTH PARK to spread a ‘pro life’ message, especially when they did a very Anti Catholic episode.
Anyway, I also donate to CPCs. I’ve donated car seat head rests, formula, receiving blankets, and baby clothes. I also made a donation to the local CPC. Some of the donations to my local right to life can be designated to help mothers – sometimes there’s a story of a mother who chose life that needs assistance – with rent or utilities or for car repairs.
Not all single moms end up on welfare and working at McDonalds. Its an attitude like this is what makes these young women in distress and in need of LOVE and SUPPORT think the only choice they have is ABORTION.
Posted by: LizFromNebraska at April 17, 2008 10:52 PM
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Get your head out of the sand Liz. It is ridiculous to believe that the only women that chose to gestate are those persuaded to do so by CPCs. SOMETIMES a single mother needs help? Snap out of it! The vast majority of those living in poverty have always been women and children. We are talking millions Liz. Millions of women that worry every minute of every day if they will be able to keep their family together one more day. It’s disgraceful that such a wealthy country should allow this.
I’m so lucky that I could afford an abortion. Seriously, with the cost of the plan B pill, and the cost of abortion, poor women have their babies just because they don’t have all them money needed up front.
It’s not like we need any more babies in this overpopulated planet. I don’t want kids and I especially don’t want to raise others’ kids with my taxes.
If they did say “rich white girls get ahead in life because of their access to abortion”, I have to agree it is very true, I am privileged in that I was able to afford an abortion.