BSG: The captains hand

[attolia]

Am I the only one who disagrees with Roslin?


Roslin believes 1) it is necessary for the survival of humanity to increase the birthrate immediately and 2) it is necessary to restrict abortion in order to increase the birthrate.

I don't even believe the first is true, since their situation is very unstable right now and birthrate won't make a difference in the short run (and might even hurt them if it affects the available workforce). If the situation stabilizes in a year or so, the birthrate will probably climb on its own, with no rights curtailed.

However, even if it were essential that they increase the birthrate, why jump directly to outlawing abortion (she didn't even mentioning birth control!) without considering other pro-natalist policies? They could offer incentives such as better quarters or food and lighter workloads for those having or raising children.

Roslin's decision was poorly thought out. And it raises the question how much is worth sacrificing to save humanity?

Maybe Sharon was right.

Comments

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

Oh no, you're not the only one. meret says she's breaking up with BSG over this; raincitygirl thinks we're supposed to see this as a really, really bad decision.

I'm speaking as an outsider who doesn't watch BSG, here. Interestingly enough, I haven't seen too much vehement ranting about it on my flist, which may mean that it's been behind cuts I haven't clicked, or may mean that the BSG fans are cool with the characters not being good guys.

[attolia.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I read more comments in a bsg community and was relieved to see more sensible comments.

I think the writers are attempting to have their cake and eat it too: Roslin personally supports abortion rights, but they think the situation requires eliminating them. Except that it doesn't.

Sadly, like the election plot in SV, this issue will probably contaminate all the episodes the rest of the season. I probably can't ignore it as a single episode glitch.

[deadlychameleon.livejournal.com]

I heard about this from Meret, I don't watch the show personally.
Lack of birth control in human colonies repopulating the human species is a serious theme throughout Science Fiction.

If I were in the fandom, I would be shocked and horrified (esp. since most Sci Fi is so liberal). But, I'd wait to see how it played out. The ramifications of this decision may show up later.

[attolia.livejournal.com]

I suspect the writers think they are being liberal since Roslin is personally so supportive of abortion, so upset at having to outlaw it, and never brought up the issue of fetal rights.

The problem is that they are oversimplifying the problem. Roslin didn't have to outlaw abortion to get the birthrate moving. Maybe she'll realize that down the line, but I doubt it.