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Free abortion and contraception in France

Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Uruguay have all been in the news lately because of controversy over modest attempts to move away from restrictive (or total) bans on abortion.

The context in France, meanwhile, is completely different. Abortion is available 'on demand' in France through the first trimester of pregnancy then more restricted after that. The French government is expected to pass a law that provides free contraception for all and funds all abortions, even for minors. One gets the sense that this move is not terribly controversial. Furthermore, minors in France already have widespread access to contraceptives and are not required to seek parental consent to have an abortion.

The differences between French and American political cultures are interesting, too. In France:
  1. The link between free access to contraception and lower abortion rates is accepted.
  2. Not only is it appropriate that minors have access to contraception and abortion, it especially important that they have it, and for free.
  3. Control over family planning via contraception and abortion is viewed as a basic human right.
  4. The state, as part of the general social contract, has a positive obligation to provide the resources necessary to make one's human rights concrete and not just theoretical. 
If this news is going to have any impact in the U.S., my guess would be that pro-life groups will use the French experience as an example of what happens when one goes down the slippery slope of 'socialist' government support for family planning. 

Links:

Article in The Huffington Post (October 26, 2012); the article, in its tone and emphasis, betrays obvious sympathy for the general French perspective: France Free Abortion Bill: Lawmakers Vote to Fully Reimburse Procedure

Article in LifeSiteNews.com (October 26, 2012): French Natl Assembly votes for full funding of abortion, free contraception for girls 15 and up


Summary of French abortion law by Choice Ireland: Abortion information France
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