abortion is nothing new for soaps. Yes its been done

It all started with Erica Kane.... and then I guess was "unstarted" ?

I guess research only goes so far.

Annie and Madison totally need to become BFFs! Bring Amanda into the club and you got a winning team!

I don't think the show would have the *alls to go there...but I sure wish they would! That would be a great storyline for a soap...has any soap actually done it? Have the woman get an abortion, as opposed to agonizing over the decision, choosing 'not' to, and then somehow losing the baby anyway?

Yes, soaps have done it but given the archaic way soaps present women it's not nearly as common as it ought to be given the crazy number of unplanned pregnancies. Most of the time they take the cheap, easy way out and I have no doubt Madison will be falling down the stairs by March. Honestly, at this point I not only want Madison to get an abortion, I want to play the doctor that does it.

Yes, soaps have done it but given the archaic way soaps present women it's not nearly as common as it ought to be given the crazy number of unplanned pregnancies. Most of the time they take the cheap, easy way out and I have no doubt Madison will be falling down the stairs by March. Honestly, at this point I not only want Madison to get an abortion, I want to play the doctor that does it.

I can't pretend to have been watching soaps regularly over the last 20 years, so excuse me if my 'research' isn't up to par, but...the stories I've seen on t.v. about abortion have never truly explored the issue to my satisfaction. And I'm talking both primetime and soaps. I don't remember a recent storyline where a woman actually chose to get an abortion, as opposed to contemplating it, chickening out, and then somehow 'losing' the baby anyway. It's a tough issue to tackle for a soap, because it 'could' look like the writers are advocating pro-choice...that's all I'm saying...

I can't pretend to have been watching soaps regularly over the last 20 years, so excuse me if my 'research' isn't up to par, but...the stories I've seen on t.v. about abortion have never truly explored the issue to my satisfaction. And I'm talking both primetime and soaps. I don't remember a recent storyline where a woman actually chose to get an abortion, as opposed to contemplating it, chickening out, and then somehow 'losing' the baby anyway. It's a tough issue to tackle for a soap, because it 'could' look like the writers are advocating pro-choice...that's all I'm saying...

Lulu on GH and Mimi on Days both had abortions within the last 5/6 years

Edited December 16, 201014 yr by Cheap21

I can't pretend to have been watching soaps regularly over the last 20 years, so excuse me if my 'research' isn't up to par, but...the stories I've seen on t.v. about abortion have never truly explored the issue to my satisfaction. And I'm talking both primetime and soaps. I don't remember a recent storyline where a woman actually chose to get an abortion, as opposed to contemplating it, chickening out, and then somehow 'losing' the baby anyway. It's a tough issue to tackle for a soap, because it 'could' look like the writers are advocating pro-choice...that's all I'm saying...

I thought GH did a really good job with Lulu's abortion storyline a few years back. Every point of view on the topic was represented and she actually did go through with it. I don't see AMC going there though.

I can't pretend to have been watching soaps regularly over the last 20 years, so excuse me if my 'research' isn't up to par, but...the stories I've seen on t.v. about abortion have never truly explored the issue to my satisfaction. And I'm talking both primetime and soaps. I don't remember a recent storyline where a woman actually chose to get an abortion, as opposed to contemplating it, chickening out, and then somehow 'losing' the baby anyway. It's a tough issue to tackle for a soap, because it 'could' look like the writers are advocating pro-choice...that's all I'm saying...

Hey, I'm right there with you. Your battle isn't with me. I'm not one of those viewers who likes to bludgeon people just because they don't know what color hat some character was wearing in a scene ten years ago. On the contrary, I think it makes perfect sense that you think abortion hasn't been done because IMO it hasn't. Not in a realistic way.

Edited December 16, 201014 yr by marceline

Hey, I'm right there with you. Your battle isn't with me. I'm not one of those viewers who likes to bludgeon people just because they don't know what color hat some character was wearing in a scene ten years ago. On the contrary, I think it makes perfect sense that you think abortion hasn't been done but IMO it hasn't. Not in a realistic way.

^^^Sorry, didn't mean to imply by quoting you that I was arguing with you. I was just replying to some posts above which were rather *snarky*.

I love soaps, but just haven't been watching regularly because, ahem...life got in the way.

But for the last year, I've been watching/taping daily & I haven't seen a soap do it, and I've seen primetime shows skirt around the issue as well...I think maybe they don't what this type of controversy?

Here's an article that discussed the Lulu abortion (I didn't watch GH much back then, so don't even remember it), but it does confirm that soaps really try to avoid this issue:

Since All My Children’s Erica Kane had a legal abortion in 1971, the first in soap opera history, the genre has shied away from this explosive issue. AIDS, cancer, mental disorders, mixed-race relationships, and homosexuality are all controversial topics that Soap Operas have been willing to tackle with gusto. But when it comes to abortion, the cowardly silence is deafening.

In the world of soap operas, pregnancies happen all the time. It’s a necessary by-product of a genre whose stories rely heavily on romantic relationships, break-ups, cheating, and foolish decisions. Unplanned, unexpected, and unwanted pregnancies are the bread and butter of soap opera writing.

But with all these pregnancies, seldom will you so much as hear the word ‘abortion’ mentioned. Most daytime drama characters don’t even consider the option. And even on the shows that are brave enough to explore the option, as General Hospital did with schemer and seductress Carly Corinthos, the woman will inevitably change her mind at the last moment.

Since 1971, abortion has become the last subject that Soap Operas are unwilling to explore—a particularly cowardly choice in light of the fact that it’s one of the issues that currently divides America, and one we could all do to think more about.

Thus, General Hospital deserves to be lauded for its renewed interest in the subject with the new storyline in which Lulu Spencer, has become saddled with an unplanned pregnancy. Lulu is a great candidate for this story—she’s virtually parentless, raised to be a rogue, independent, and clearly not ready to raise a child. The pregnancy is still very early, the situation in which she conceived was based on a horrifying deception, and the result of faulty birth control. Lulu doesn’t like kids that much, and very definitely doesn’t want there to be a baby at all, much less raise one or give one up for adoption.

Edited December 16, 201014 yr by felicity22

The last abortion on AMC was Julia Santos (Sydney Penny) circa 1995. I remember when Bianca was pregnant with Miranda, there was all the discussion about an abortion, but they didn't even say the word for some stupid reason. Remember Erica's, "terminating the pregnancy"? UGH!

Annie's really channeling her inner crazy again, I like that the writers are sort of bringing that back but I hope it doesn't totally consume her. I like the progress she's made as a person this past year and I would hate to see that all get lost. Hopefully this is just temporary. I get her being all frazzled over JR getting closer to Marissa, her jealousy is really intense. It's even more understandable on her end after what happened between her and Ryan...I believe JR though when he says that this won't last long, they will end up together in the end. I think Annie should trust him...the look she had on her face at the end though has me worried.

That Christmas tree scene had me LMAO!

So great to see Angie! All of her scenes were great. I loved the scenes where she was talking with the doctor about preparing to raise a baby while blind. Those scenes were written so well..."Can you baby proof me?" . I also really liked Angie's scenes with Madison & Greenlee. Her respect for David as a patient in the hospital is refreshing to. It's no secret she hates him, but unlike Jake she is looking past that right now and doing her best to make sure he gets treated in the hospital.

Edited December 16, 201014 yr by AllmyDaysatGH

Lulu on GH and Mimi on Days both had abortions within the last 5/6 years

Daisy on GL also had an abortion.

Debbie I love you.

*SMDH*

Don't laugh.

Madison vs GreenME, IT'S ON!

Lulu on GH and Mimi on Days both had abortions within the last 5/6 years

And damn, did JER put Mimi through hell for it. Talk about getting punished for having an abortion.

The lulu story was good tho.

Debbie I love you.

*SMDH*

Don't laugh.

Madison vs GreenME, IT'S ON!

You see I saw that and I didnt want to say anything.First she's bumping into walls and furniture and now people. She about was ready to knock pregnant Madison out...lol

Edited December 16, 201014 yr by Cheap21