Hello, we are from the group Riff and in the following we want to talk about what we criticize about §218.
The §218 prevents that pregnant women in Germany can simply abort a pregnancy. Abortion is in theory punishable. It is only exempt from punishment if certain requirements are met.
For example, the abortion must normally be performed within the first three months.
In addition, pregnant women who do not wish to have a child are obliged to seek counselling. This is to check whether an abortion is really necessary.
By government order it is made a question of conscience, the decision is made difficult. As if almost every pregnant person is not already confronted with it in their environment. The widespread moral is: to terminate a pregnancy is at least problematic, if not reprehensible.
The current Minister of Health has that in mind. Neutral information about abortions he declares to be abortion advertising, they are still prohibited.
One thing is certain:
Simply not wanting to have a child because you don’t feel like it is not considered a legitimate position to your own body!
The enforced idea is that people who are categorized as women have a practically natural need to have a child and are deeply emotionally connected to it from the very beginning.
The implicit claim is clear: they should become mothers. Which often comes across as if it were the highest fulfillment.
So why is there even the possibility to discontinue a pregnancy? Abortions with all these hurdles are nothing more than a confession. The political intention is that pregnant women should want the child – at least a little bit – and that they should be able to manage the care and education of their children. If someone does not want to or cannot do this, the state approves abortion and does not prosecute it.
And even if abortion is not being pursued under certain conditions, it does not mean that it is practically possible:
The pregnant person does not always find a consultation appointment in time. And who she meets in the consultation is a matter of luck.
In addition, there are the difficulties of finding a doctor to perform the abortion. In addition, you need health insurance and the necessary money for the abortion.
These hurdles are no wonder! It is politically accepted and even wanted in addition to the §218 to put obstacles in the way!
Why is the state essentially involved in §218?
the state provides itself with the §218 a means to determine over bodies of pregnant humans.
Depending upon political decision the §218 can be designed and realized correspondingly strictly. Remember only the complete ban on abortions in the 1970s.
It therefore has the power to regulate the extent to which and how the population develops in its territory. It wants to have the control over the potential for a child to be born. After all, this is a matter of new citizens – in a certain constitution.
In §218, above all, a politically enforced norm makes clear who is desired as a new generation in Germany. If the potential child is considered disabled, the immunity from punishment is suddenly extended beyond the 3rd month.
It remains, the §218 must go away. And beyond that we do not want a society in which a state has an interest in and power of disposal over human bodies.
