Marion, I guess because in trying to be fair about this issue, Ive come up with the idea in my own head that if a baby could possibly survive on its own then we can't really say that the mom is the only one with rights in the situation, and at that point I think the same society that condemns child abuse should rationally put some sort of restrictions on abortion.

Kimmers, you mentioned

"I still don't hear any answers to what the married woman with a professional career is supposed to do if she has an unwanted pregnancy."

Well, if Im going with my first trimester (or maybe even second-its really not until 6 months in utero that a premature baby still has a chance to live is it?) is okay for an abortion theory, I would think that most any woman in that position would be able to make any decisions regarding an abortion before the last trimester.

I do have very strong feelings on this bit of the issue, mostly because of the choices that I've made. I have actually had people look down on me because I chose to have my children rather than abort them (didnt I hear something earlier in this thread about irresponsible poor women having too many babies??)...I was in a very bad marriage, none of the boys were planned, and we are still very poor...many of the reasons that I have heard put forward on this thread for Moms to abort were applicable to me each time I was pregnant. I understand that you are simply sympathising with your friend's plight, but when I read it in cold black and white, coupled with the stress and frustration I've felt trying to be a good mom at times, I feel as though I should feel guitly because I had my children! But I don't...and I won't...any lack of success in my life has not been because I have children. I think your friend will probably more than manage--a decent income is nice, but there are joys in my life that all the money in the world couldn't buy, and many of them are directly related to my beloved "accidents"--all three of them!