The recently concluded Vice-Presidential Debate had discussed a very vital moral/religious issue : Abortion.

There is a lot of opinion generating on this. While I do support the view that termination of a foetus is basically a couple's personal choice, I also support the view that abortion without any coherent reason, such as rape, incest, grave danger to the mother's health, etc, is basically murder. But rather than discussing abortion, I think policy makers should go to the root of the problem.

The other day, I asked my husband, if he supported or opposed abortion. He replied, why would such conditions arise that one would have to resort to abortion. Strange as it might sound, this is a very valid question. Pro-life supporters agree that ending a life is not a personal choice, whereas pro-abortion groups feel that given certain premises, abortion, if done, with adequate medical precaution, is valid and correct.

Both groups have their own views and perspectives to back them up and both sides are actually correct in their own way. There are certain issues on which larger, in-depth debates are necessary and a five minute space in a Vice-Presidential debate isn't enough.

Also instead of attacking abortion, I feel policy makers, should address the sex education our public schools and colleges, so as to give young people enough choice in the matter. It is reported that most abortions that take place are because of unintended pregnancies. Young adults should know, the methods of contraception and should be educated enough to make the right decisions. If a couple wants to have a child, right after college, they should be sufficiently mature to handle such a responsibility. If couples, long married seek, not to have a child, they also should have that freedom. As such, I believe, the problem, isn't abortion alone, its also, what kind of education, we give to young adults, so that they can make the right choice.

Sex, is one of the human instincts. Its as natural as hunger and thirst. There is an age, where we all become, aware of our sexuality, all of us are eager to "try it"... to see and experience what and how it is. The fact that this instinct cannot be quenched as easily as the others, makes it even more tempting. This is what policymakers will have to rectify. Young adults, should know all about physical intimacy and its biggest consequence : procreation, before engaging.

Also, there's no use telling young adults, to stay off physical intimacy till they are married, because quite simply it doesn't work. There are lots of religious institution that keep telling you exactly the same, and I don't see that many young adults heeding to their teachings. Whatever may, all the religious scriptures tell you, most young adults are not much influenced by them. Otherwise we would have far less unintended pregnancies and consequently fewer abortions. Therefore I believe the best way to tackle this problem is to tell them how to avoid unintended pregnancy.

There are certain religious groups which do not believe in modern contraceptives methods available. They like to believe in the normal human reproductive cycle, and the abstinence power. This, if practiced strongly, can also be very useful in curbing undesired pregnancies.

Also I think, the media's over hyping of sexuality is a grave danger and young people face more and more peer pressure to indulge in the "act" ... threatened by the media's over hyping of sexuality, young adults often feel that "getting laid"is as important as graduating from a good school. This is such a regressive sort of thinking. Sex has been reduced to a three lettered word, whose only connotation is with physical pleasure.

I think in order to lessen abortion, policymakers have to take a tough stand against two entrenched institution.

The first is obviously the media and its reflection of society and the dubious notions of right and wrong. The second is the type of education we give to young adults regarding morality, vices and responsibility. If policymakers can take a stand on these two issues and come together for a solution, only then they'll be able to reach a conclusion, which would be fair and just.

Till then the debate goes on...