How far should "It's my body, I can do what I want" go?

[Eri]

Currently on a 'popular' (not to be named) website, someone stumbled across a woman posting on facebook that she had enough vodka and coke's that she couldn't drink anymore or she wouldn't even be able to walk.

This is all well and good, except for the fact that she's 6.5 months pregnant. Many people expressed their disgust on her page or by messages, all the while her friends and family keep posting retaliatory messages supporting her and saying how good of a mother she IS and WILL be.

It astounds me people could be this stupid, never mind the fact her friends and family are supporting her choices to drink and having the gall to actually say she will make a good mother. This just screams of selfishness and idiocy, regardless of it being legal or not.

Right off the CDC's website: "Is it okay to drink when pregnant?"

No. There is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant should refrain from drinking alcohol.16 Several conditions, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have been linked to alcohol use during pregnancy. Women of child bearing age should also avoid binge drinking to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and potential exposure of a developing fetus to alcohol.

I have little doubt she would say it's her body and she can do what she wants due to her blatant lack of regard for her future child, but should this not be illegal? You aren't just one anymore. This argument also has roots in things like abortion but for the sake of this, let's try to keep it on the alcohol.

 

[Bakuryukun]

You SHOULD be able to do almost anything you want with your own body. But when you pregnant, it's not just YOUR body now is it?

 

[gigastar]

If i want put put a retractable gun in my arm, thats my choice.

Now if only if it were possible to do that.

 

[WolfEdge]

Of course it should be illegal. I'm all for self-abuse and all (it IS your body, it's yours to do with as you see fit) but parents effectively give up certain rights in order to gain others. This includes not being able to binge for nine measly fucking months while a future-human GROWS IN YOUR STOMACH.

In return, you gain the right to raise that human and teach it as you were taught.

 

[VincentX3]

You SHOULD be able to do almost anything you want with your own body. But when you pregnant, it's not just YOUR body now is it?

This really =/
Cant say anymore than that

 

[Cain_Zeros]

You SHOULD be able to do almost anything you want with your own body. But when you pregnant, it's not just YOUR body now is it?

Pretty much this. Really it's the fetus's body now, and will be until it's born (or until the mother miscarries/has an abortion, should that be the case).

 

[Canadamus Prime]

You SHOULD be able to do almost anything you want with your own body. But when you pregnant, it's not just YOUR body now is it?

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Freshman]

I had this whole thing about how this ties directly to abortion until I read the last sentence. But really I can't think of a way to justify this either way until somebody can prove whether or not a fetus is "alive."
I think the bigger issue here is whether or not we want somebody stupid enough to post on the internet that they are intentionally harming their unborn child having kids at all.

 

[Rayne870]

Just ask her if she want's to raise a retarded child. Fetal Alcohol syndrome is a terrible thing to risk.

 

[TeeBs]

Let me sum up my opinion this way. Abortion is ok but risking your unborn child to be born into a life in which he will probably wish he was dead most of the time is just wrong. I don't particularly like my life, but I couldn't imagine living with any form of disability, and if my mother was the cause of this disability I would rather be dead.

Edit: Yes I know you asked us to avoid talking about abortion but I felt I would have only been giving half my answer if I didn't include it.

 

[BonsaiK]

I have little doubt she would say it's her body and she can do what she wants due to her blatant lack of regard for her future child, but should this not be illegal?

You're probably right, but good luck enforcing something like that.

I suppose you could try to tackle it the other way and say binge drinkers and alcoholics shouldn't get pregnant, but that's also pretty unenforceable too, especially when you consider that alcohol tends to be something that precipitates pregnancy for obvious reasons.

 

[Irridium]

You SHOULD be able to do almost anything you want with your own body. But when you pregnant, it's not just YOUR body now is it?

Pretty much what I was going to say. Only more calling the woman an idiot.

I hope the child turns out well.

 

[dragonhunter21]

So long as you are affecting YOU and only YOU, sure, break out the vodka. But when you start threatening someone else (Drunk driving, drinking while pregnant, bar fights, etc.) that's where the line gets drawn.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

In return, you gain the right to raise that human and teach it as you were taught.

For better or for worse.

 

[zehydra]

Let me sum up my opinion this way. Abortion is ok but risking your unborn child to be born into a life in which he will probably wish he was dead most of the time is just wrong. I don't particularly like my life, but I couldn't imagine living with any form of disability, and if my mother was the cause of this disability I would rather be dead.

really? Why?

 

[The Wykydtron]

Hey if i want to keep air guitaring then goddammit it i will! 'S my body after all

Spoiler

Why do i feel like this thread should be about Plastic Surgery?

 

[lacktheknack]

The point where you begin infringing on someone else's physical/mental well-being is the point you draw the line. And yes, I consider a fetus to be a "someone else".

 

[Radelaide]

You SHOULD be able to do almost anything you want with your own body. But when you pregnant, it's not just YOUR body now is it?

This really =/
Cant say anymore than that

Pretty much this. Really it's the fetus's body now, and will be until it's born (or until the mother miscarries/has an abortion, should that be the case).

Until a baby is born, it is a parasite that feeds off a host. The "It's a living human being" is bullshit and made to guilt mothers into carrying full term when maybe they shouldn't. True fucking fact.

"It's my body, I can do what I want" applies to anything and everything. You should THINK about what you're doing to your body, especially in cases where you're pregnant and such but it's still your own body. People can pass whatever judgement they want too but it's not going the change the mind of that woman or whoever has that mentality.

 

[godfist88]

this is unbelievable, that babies gonna come out brain damaged. if this woman can't stop drinking vodka for 9 lousy months, then she shouldn't be allowed to raise children. i wouldn't be surprised if this ended up as a miscarriage.