Fundamentals of Human Growth and Development - Alexandria City ...

Abortion Lesson Plan ****DRAFT****
1. State Ground rules:
� You may express opinions, beliefs, and values; however, this is neither a debate nor a talk show.
We are not here to argue or “convince” anyone.
� You may keep your private position and opinions private. No one will be asked or forced to reveal
their personal opinions. (Including the teacher.)
� Proper terminology will be taught and then used. Insulting, attacking or prejudicial language will
not be tolerated.
� This is an information lesson. It will give you the basis for forming or defending your point of
view from a position of knowledge. No final conclusions or position will be required.
2. Definition: Abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy by medical removal of an embryo or fetus
from the uterus.
3. Instruct students to number from 1 – 10 on scrap paper and answer “Y” (yes) or “N” (no) for each case
according to whether or not an abortion should be permitted in each case. Note that in all cases the pregnant
woman is seeking an abortion. REMIND STUDENTS THAT THEIR ANSWERS ARE PRIVATE AND WILL
NOT BE READ, DISCUSSED OR COLLECTED:
1. A rape victim
2. An unmarried teen who became pregnant the first time she had intercourse
3. An unmarried 20-year old with four sexual partners, unsure of paternity
4. An unmarried drug addicted, jobless female with two previous abortions
5. A 37-year old married woman whose amniocentesis predicts Down syndrome
6. A 23-year old diabetic college student whose boyfriend’s condom broke
7. A mildly retarded female impregnated by a married man
8. A 45-year old married mother of six whose husband has just lost his job
9. A 27-year old lawyer who was on the pill
10. A 35-year old HIV+ prostitute
4. Have students look over their list of Y’s and N’s WITHOUT REVEALING OR DISCUSSING THEM.
Explain the following political continuum:
Pro-Choice-------------------------------------------------------------Pro-Life
(All Y’s) (Some Y’s, some N’s, (All N’s)
depending on case)
5. Have students list some reasons for positions due to personal, political, religious beliefs:
• Pro Choice: Government obligation to protect woman’s right to freedom of choice; separation of church
and state; privacy; safer when legal; medical decision not governmental, etc.
• Pro Life: Government obligation to protect the right to life of the unborn; moral decision; adoption is an
option; all life is sacred; abortion is murder, etc.
• Middle ground: Abortion should be legal but restricted to certain reasons such as rape, incest, medical
danger to mother, etc.
Reproduction Unit 31