This video is largely about the uncertainty of early pregnancy and the difficult decision of whether or not to go through with abortion. As Americans, we are constantly faced with decisions that are affected by financial strains and this video blends the stress of hardships and responsibility quite well. Due to the intense subject covered in this video finding topics to speak of for this week’s blog should not be too difficult.
Although this video by J. Cole doesn’t have explicit images of American flags and patriotic themes, there is a message delivered that very much affects many young people in the U.S. today. With pressures to hold a roof over everyone’s heads in today’s economic hardships, the issue of abortion today just might be stronger today than it has in the past.
Do you think the level of unemployment today will have an impact on others regarding the issue of abortion and unplanned pregnancy? Are there any instance you can think of that might lead to considering abortion? Is there anything in this video in particular that jumps out at you implicitly or explicitly as an American identity?
[post composed by Blog Group 4]
This is a pretty powerful song that really does bring to life some of the issues many people have encountered in this modern world. With an unstable unemployment rate, many people can't afford to raise a child. However, if money is the only issue, then giving the child up for adoption is likely the cheapest option. Abortions can cost hundreds of dollars, but the entire costs of the pregnancy is paid for by the adopting parents. However, the parents would have to deal with the entire pregnancy process which can be costly and still a traumatic experience.
ReplyDeleteThe number of unplanned or teenage pregnancies have been on the rise in our country - and the issues of being able to care for the child are becoming more and more commonplace in this country. What I'm still not sure of, then, is what does that say about us, as Americans?
I believe the level of unemployment will impact others regarding whether or not to have an abortion, or to continue on with the pregnancy. As Stephen said, abortions are very expensive, so if the unemployment rate still rises over time, many people may not have the money to actually get an abortion. Then when the child is born, the parent/parents will not have the money to take care of the child. Either way, the unplanned pregnancy between two people of low income will only bring troubles. The news of pregnancy and the birth of a child are supposed to be the happiest moments in a person's life, and the parent/parents of the child usually want only but the best for their child. If two people of low income, or even no job, find out they are pregnant, stress and other issues will arise. I also agree with Stephen, where if one cannot afford a baby if pregnant, they should give him or her up for adoption. One particular instance where one may consider an abortion not dealing with the money factor would be rape. If someone were raped, and became pregnant, they may not want to remember the emotional stress and difficulties from the rape, therefore get an abortion. I can see how this can be viewed as an American issue, because abortion is a continuing debate in our country. In the video, however, I did not spot anything in particular regarding the American identity.
ReplyDeleteThe most visually stunning affect in this video to me is when the girlfriend cuts her hand on the knife. It symbolizes a lot with what is going on in the video. It is interesting to think about how the economy could affect many people to consider abortion in a different way, which is really sad to think about. I agree with Brooke about the American identity, other then the fact that abortion is a huge topic in todays society i didn't really see anything in particular that stood out. I personally don't believe in abortion but I can definitely see this subject being affected in the future due to what the economy does.
ReplyDeleteI think it's cool how we basically had this same discussion in class the other day. I do think the economy can affect how people consider abortion, although I have never thought of it that way before. I liked the scene where the girl lets the boy finish his thoughts, and then she goes off about how its not even his choice because it's in her body. I think that is pretty unfair because once the child is born it is both of their responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteMany people are faced with the decision of abortion or adoption in America today, and I think this is partly due to the economy. Bringing a child into the world is very difficult financially, which affects most parents decisions about abortion. The video stood out to me with the man saying he "cried so much about it," which tied into our discussion in class the other day about who should make the decision about abortions.
ReplyDeleteAbortion is a major topic in American society for many of years. It has always been a controversal topic when brought up amongst society. Having a baby can cause a lot of financial problems, and economy these days really affect this. I agree with natalie in the part where the man is saying he "cried so much about it," because decision making on abortion is a very, very powerful thought process.
ReplyDeleteThis video kind of goes back and forth conversationally between reasons to get or not to get an abortion. To me, there is no conversation. No matter how financially crippling, or how tough of a life the child will have to live, abortion is never an option. Financial reasons can't are not an excuse to murder. The reason I believe this is because of my Christian upbringing. I also have spoken to people who have gotten abortions or have witnessed an abortion that their partner got. They all have said that after that experience, they would never do it again and are totally against it after seeing their child killed before their eyes. I did for awhile think there was an argument for rape victims, and I sympathize for them. However traumatic the rape was, I still do not think it is an excuse to murder a child. It is unfortunate if the victim has to have a child as a reminder, especially since she had no choice in the circumstances. But you cannot kill the child because of that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tate about it being interesting that this is the same topic we talked about in class. I would say J. Cole's argument is probably stronger, or at least more mature than the one from "Thomas Jefferson Is a Liar". I think this because Cole isn't arguing that it is not his responsibility to pay for the baby, but rather that he doesn't have the money to properly take care of the child. This seems like a more reasonable reason why the man should have at least some say in the matter because with the current economic situation having a baby will be a huge financial drain. As some other people pointed out adoption would be another option which may be less expensive. However, going through with the pregnancy might be harder for some people, especially if both parents need to keep working just to make ends meet. As far as when it is or is not right to have an abortion; I personally believe in evictionism, or the woman has the right to abort the fetus up until the point when it is able to survive outside of the womb. After that point it would be killing a child. This is based on the fact that the mother owns her own body and therefore has the right to have the child either aborted or removed depending on whether it can survive without using the mother as a host. For a more detailed explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNTAmwUHcLM&feature=player_embedded As far as specific situation it mostly depends on what the parents think is right.
ReplyDeleteThis to me seems to be a very compelling song because this is an issue that many young people these days do deal with. It's sad to see someone going through an accidental pregnancy but both parties do have a decision to make that will effect the rest of their lives. J. Cole is saying that it's not that he doesn't want a baby, but more so that he isn't ready for one and at the same times he's confused if the only reason that she's pregnant is because she wants to tie him down. On her end she is scared and feels abandoned and betrayed and doesn't want to get an abortion like he is suggesting. Overall this is a sad video to watch because you don't know which party to feel sympathy for because it is such a tough situation from both perspectives. This song is very relevant to American society today because teen pregnancies have been on the rise, but it's not a topic that a lot of teens want to think about.
ReplyDeleteTo me this is very much a relevant and american issue. The images of New York City playgrounds and the high rise apartments that resemble the building style of certain types of housing projects in the background really seem to tie well together with the lyrics. Steven Dubner co-author of Freakonomics pointed out in a NPR interview that about one in four pregnancies end in abortion in this country. He made the claim that the overturning of Roe v. Wade caused a drop in crime 18 years later. Another thing that makes this a very american thing is how fractured america is over this issue where as other Western nations are not.
ReplyDeleteJust like many others that have already posted, I too feel that the level of unemployment plays a huge role regarding the issue of abortion and unplanned pregnancy. I feel that it starts way before the thought of abortion is even in one’s head. It starts with the decision to buy birth control, condoms, or other methods to decrease the chance of fertilization. I feel that there are many instances and reasons that lead to the consideration of abortion. It could be for financial reasons, maturity, as in if the female is ready to become a mother at this point in her life or the male ready to become a father, or based on what others will think of you, because it’s impossible to hide the fact that you are pregnant. The one thing that jumps out to me is when the girl is saying how he hated his father and didn’t want to be like him, but now he is about to follow in his father’s footsteps.
ReplyDeleteJust like almost everyone has previously posted I feel that the level of umemployment will substantially effect ones decision to keep a child or to have an abortion. I dont necessarily think this has to be the case though. If condoms/ birth control are used in the first place this would not happen and would be a much cheaper alternative to having a child, not to metion the not having the stress of wondering if she is pregnant or not, as well as the stress or having to make the tough decision of whether of not to keep the child.
ReplyDeleteWell,I view this vedio in the quite different way. This vedio demonstrated that todays low employment rate and financial crisis which cause mass pressure on adults. Under such pressure, adults always make some tough choice. Abortion is one of them. However, i dont regard money as the main issue of abortion. If the guy really loves the gril, he will not agree the abortion bcause it will result huge damage in girls body which could make her not able to be pregnant again. Also, in the US news, a 12 years old young couple, also made birth to their baby.For their baby, the guy droped from school and became the worker in factory. They even raised up the babies, how about the 21 years old? Therefore, personally speaking, if the abortion occurs, it means the guy is afraid of the responsibility. He is afraid of their future. The real pressure to them is they dont quite understand eachother. Under today's societal code and financial crisis, they cannot give eachother the same things as they in love.
ReplyDeleteTO be completely honest this one of my favorite songs. I actually didn't even know there was a video for. In America the option of abortion is so free for someone. The arguments that Cole makes in the first half of the video are absolutely relevant. This is a very real video because there are many people that go through the same situation everyday. But I feel like the second verse of the song is the most powerful because it really does discus what happens to young fathers and how they coward out of taking care of their children. I think that this was an excellent song choice guys.
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