Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

The Gleaner last week sought to gauge inner-city feelings on the subject of abortion by speaking to persons from the downtown Kingston communities of Tel Aviv, South Side and Gold Street. The following is a sample of the views heard.

Like almost everywhere else on the island these days, the debate on abortion has taken several inner-city communities by storm. In many of these areas, children out-number adults and the average age of mothers seems to be getting lower each year.

In downtown Kingston, a girl who appeared to be no more than 17 years old, and already has two children, said having an abortion is a decision that only the mother should be allowed to make. According to her, if the mother thinks she is not capable of dealing with the child, then, by all means, she should be allowed to have the procedure done. "Remember the man can always go about fi him business, but the pickney will always be there. So, if she know she can't manage, she must do the thing man."

In the same breath, she started to explain why many women opt to have babies even if they are in no position to support the child. "Mek me tell yuh this, nuff woman have baby fi get money. And the more baby dem get fi different man is the more money dem can get. That's why you all see some people wid all seven. So is not really about just having baby because dem want it, but is the money dem want and the more a dem is the more money."

'Pickney fi born'

Another teenaged girl, who also has a baby, was adamant that abortion should not be legalised, regardless of the circumstances. She said she formed her opinion after learning of someone who died during the procedure. "One girl did dead in my class after she go do it. Me? No way! Better yuh have it, cause as mi say, you can dead from doing it, so two a yuh a go end up dead." To this, her peers present during the interview who claim they attend high and primary schools exclaimed "pickney fi born!"

Some older women who were gathered in front of a shop, held differing opinions on the subject. According to one, while she believes that abortion is murder, depending on the circumstances under which there was conception, abortion could be made an option. "From conception, it is life and when you do away with that, it is murder. But I guess you have to give and take with everything and this nuh different. So, like if a woman get rape, then maybe I coulda see with that." Her friend, however, disagreed, saying it should not be called murder.

But should abortion be legalised? "Boy, there would have to be some restrictions in place, because people would want to abuse the system and start use it like contraceptive. But as I say that too, why a lot of dem get pregnant is that they don't like taking contraceptives because of the side-effects."

Dash weh ting

A 24-year-old man told The Gleaner he didn't believe in abortion because once they are born, children will be cared for. "Boy, I don't believe in dis dash weh ting, because me think that from a youth come, you will find ways to take care of dem. Just bring it and done, we see that happen everyday and dem survive. Bring forth life man." But his peers would have none of that argument. "You a tell me say all if a 12-year-old get pregnant, she fi have it? No sah, get rid of that man. Mi feel like if a likkle accident gwaan or she caan deal with a pickney, she shoulda can decide if she want it yes or no. And abortion shoulda can be a legal option fi har."

A father of one said that times have changed and people should not be so steadfast on Christian principles to inform their views on abortion because the Bible was written centuries ago. "Twenty five per cent of the Jamaican people use the Bible as a strict guideline right yah now. Time and tings change, so you find that more time you go round some a the tings dem that inna the Bible. We use it as a moral guide, yes, but true how tings set up now we caan do exactly everything that it say."

And while agreeing that if abortion is legalised there is a possibility that it will be abused by many women, he says if it is not, the practice will continue anyway. "If dem don't legalise it, dem will go back door. Better you give dem the opportunity to get it done correctly and not put themselves at risk." His friend added to the conversation. "Boy a one serious issue still, because if dis all legalise, woman will use this against you and say dem can get rid of the baby and all use it fi spite yuh."

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com