Nature vs Nurture

Parents by definition are a father or mother; one who sires or gives birth to and nurtures an offspring but in my opinion, it's who raises you and nurtures you that fulfill the role, be it your biological parents or not.

Many disagree saying that blood is the ultimate connection but to me a bond is stronger. If you are raised by foster or adopted parents, relatives of friends from birth or a young age, they are grown to fulfill a parental role. Of course whether or not a child acknowledges them as their parents is a decision of their head and heart.

In another frame of mind, many children grow strong bonds with friends, relatives, neighbours etc. whilst still in the care of their biological parents. Some even acknowledge these "friends" to be "like parents" or "second parents".

In conclusion I think it's fair to say that there is a difference between your biological parents and your mum and dad. Nature automatically distributes the title of parents when a child is born, but the title of mum and dad must be earned by love, nourishment and compassion.

Abortion: Yes or No?

Abortion is the termination of pregnancy by the removal of an embryo or fetus. The term abortion is typically only used in reference to induced abortions while spontaneous abortions are termed miscarriages. In the context of human pregnancies, there are two types of induced abortions. An abortion induced to preserve the health of the pregnant woman, terminate a pregnancy that would result in a child born with a fatal disorder or leave it with significantly disabled or selectively reduce the number of fetuses to lessen the heath risks involved in multiple births is called a therapeutic abortion. An abortion performed at the request of the pregnant woman for any other reason than maternal or fetal health is referred to as an elective abortion. 

In Australia, abortion is legal to protect the life and well-being of the woman. Currently the law states that it is primarily the decision of the pregnant women and there is no law in Australia that requires consent of the child's father. Also, except in Western Australia, no parental consent is required for a minor to undergo an abortion. 

In 2003 alone, 42 million abortions were performed worldwide and believe it or not; that was a decline from nearly 46 million in 1995.

Although my views steer away from induced elective abortions, in the case of one I strongly believe that the pregnant woman should have to notify or gain consent from significant other. For example a minor, her parents; a married woman, her husband; or any other, the biological father. Obviously many agree with me shown in the 2003 Gallup poll. In this US poll, 79% of males and 67% of females supported spousal notification.

Now I don't know about you but I am definitively pro-life rather than pro-choice. I strongly argue that a fetus is a human being and has the right to life. An elective abortion is, in my opinion, murder, and to inflict pain and death on a helpless human being is immoral and cruel. Many say that it's the pregnant woman's choice and her choice only but do you really believe that? Is it right to give one human being total freedom to decide the existence of another? If so, what other human beings does the pregnant woman have the freedom to terminate using common sense and choice? Is it just her children? Is she allowed to murder her eight year old daughter because she believes she can't care for it? 

I just don't understand how you could kill someone. Yes, someone, not something. Now I understand therapeutic abortions and a I completely support them. I don't at all think that it's immoral to terminate a pregnancy to preserve the health of the child or mother. But for personal, social, cosmetic reasons? It just doesn't cut it... not for me.

A person's a person no matter how small.

Coffee: Tick or Flick?

Coffee mightn't be good for pregnant women and children but how does that affect everyone else. Should we be giving coffee the tick or flick?

Coffee has gained the image that it is bad for you and you shouldn’t drink it. But is that really the case? Now I’m not one to diminish coffee, in fact it’s possibly my second oxygen however; the rich taste comes at a price of many factors.

Firstly, buying brand name coffee from places including but not limited to Dome and Gloria Jeans and Starbucks in the US can cost over $3.50 for a small coffee. Thus totaling to over $1000 per year if one coffee is bought Monday through to Friday. For home brewed coffee such as Nescafe, a year’s worth (of black coffee) would only total to over one-tenth of the price. However, keep in mind the extra costs such as electricity, water, sugar, cups, spoons etc.

The second and most debated factor is health consequences. Not only does coffee have a negative effect on your digestive system, particularly your stomach but it also causes heartburn. The acidity in coffee is a cause of stomach ulcers, which in tern can cause death. An early symptom of ulcers is coughing up blood, which in its self is horrible. Regardless of whether you drink regular or decaf, coffee can lead to liver disorders which is linked to premature death.

Large amounts of coffee can cause a fast heart rate, excessive urination, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, depression, tremors, and difficulty sleeping, resulting in fatigue. However, a large amount isn’t three cups, in fact this is considered a standard daily intake. Drinking two or three pots by yourself is definitely a large amount.

Although it is a misleading notion that decaf is better, regular coffee is actually addictive. It’s no mistake that there are quitting programs for coffee consumption. Also, the above effects of a large consumption are more common in regular coffee drinkers to compared to decaf.

However, regardless of this information, I am still asking to make my… fourth coffee for the day.