Story lines that clash with reality

[mariusthered]

so a while ago i had sat down and wrote a story line that covers teenage pregnancy and the options around it and young marriage , hoping to highlight the whole issue. however that was before America banned abortion so now I'm stumped if to go forward with the story ?

Im not asking for this thread to talk about the whole abortion issue, that is too personal for people to talk about and frankly non of my business. but I have come to see I have two options here,
1. I could exploit the issue and go forward to gain views to my comic and writing. - but I ask myself would this cheapen my comic in some morel way?
2. I could throw the whole idea aside and rob my viewers of a potentially good Season of Drama

thoughts?

[shazzbaa]

Being an American, I feel like I would've heard about it if we'd overturned a supreme court ruling and banned abortion!! There's a lot in the news about the current administration signing things that would reduce or eliminate government funding for places that provide abortions, but the practice hasn't been outlawed that I'm aware of.

[EDIT, for the rest of the question -- ]
That said,
what is your actual goal here? If you're trying to write what is essentially a Public Service Announcement, then knowing how things actually work in real life and what the real options are for someone in that situation is paramount.... but writing a PSA for an audience whose government you don't know well might not be a great idea to begin with!

I do think there's a difference between "exploiting the issue" and "writing a dramatic story." If you're just throwing teen pregnancy in there because it's a hot issue and you have opinions about it, then that might feel exploitive. Being outside the issue but still wanting to moralise about it can feel exploitive.
But if you're trying to tell a story about something that real people encounter, and you have taken the time to learn about what people in that circumstance actually face and what different options mean for them, then I don't think having some options that might not match reality in your story would be somehow Morally Cheap.

Like, for example, you could write a story where abortion has no stigma at all, which doesn't match our current reality -- and I think if it's just thrown in the story to be preachy about one side of the issue or the other and create drama, that would feel gross, but if it was an honest, empathetic take on how that option impacted the people involved, I think it could still be meaningful.

[WakaXO]

I would go ahead with the story personally. I wouldn't view it as cheap or exploitative to talk about a subject that's being widely discussed, especially in this case because this has been a hot topic for years, not just now that its being threatened with ban. As long as you put the thought and research due to the subject matter in your story then it should be fine. I would however consider a comic that's rushed out just to get views, poorly done, and/or that contains misinformation on the topic matter cheap and exploitative.
If this is a story your passionate about than this is a non-issue, because little hiccups like this wouldn't stop you.

[mariusthered]

what is your actual goal here?

well as ever in my writing one story line trigger others and quite a big problem is given to me to get other stories going if i don't go ahead. I do like to use my writing to make people think about situations and become award of life issues but i wouldn't call it a public service announcement,. thanks for your feedback

[DMBrigman]

It seems like you need to do some more research for your story. As @shazzbaa covered, abortion has not been made illegal, but there are lots of laws in different states that limit access. This can affect your protagonist in different ways depending upon where in the United States she is located.

Just based upon your question and the attitudes around your subject matter I think you should get a few beta readers to take a look at it before proceeding.

If the story doesn't feel authentic and well researched then it will look like you were just hoping for views by including something controversial. You also may not get the reaction you hope to your work. Not to say you cannot proceed, but I would definitely get some American women to read it if you can so it doesn't feel like a morality play or pandering.

[kyupol]

Go for it. Express your views on the matter. It's called the 1st amendment.

I've done it... I've used the Iraq war and school shootings and parental abuse in my comics.

[Michelle]

Yeah, abortion isn't outright illegal in the US, but it is a very controversial topic that's facing a lot of government backlash. But the fact that you say "It's too personal for me to talk about and none of my business" begs the question, are you actually equipped to talk about this subject in the first place?

Because, it IS a very complex topic and one that could be potentially preachy or plain offensive if you handle it poorly. If you're just putting it in there for drama without understanding the social, emotional, and cultural implications, then it will feel cheap. I know people who are/were teenage mothers, and I'm familiar with the hardship that comes with it. It's not the kind of thing you want to exploit. When I think of those people, I don't think "Man, that was some excellent drama!"

If you do feel like you still want to forge ahead, I would do a LOT of research. Read personal accounts, have American women read over you writing like @DMBrigman suggests. And expect to alienate a chunk of your readership. No matter how you handle the issue, it is very divisive and will inevitably upset some of your readers no matter what side you're on.

[digitalvalium1]

Was Dorian Gray controversial? Was it necessary? For many gay youth it was an unimaginable act of bravery. I think it's the responsibility of artists to deal honestly with the issues of their time openly. Wilde thought so too. I don't mean to say that we all must act our convictions, and consequences be damned, but to face a problem bravely and inspect it from each perspective is the only way to find a solution. I can recommend a few books if you like.

[mariusthered]

the fact that you say "It's too personal for me to talk about and none of my business" begs the question, are you actually equipped to talk about this subject in the first place?

i was trying to be tactful, that's all. and yes i know on a personal level about this subject, but that's as much as i want to say about it. i just want to keep to the point if the writing

[Monomania]

Abortion is cool. Just don't treat it like an after school special.

There is a movie called Obvious Child that treats abortion just sort of normally. And it's a really funny movie.

[indagold]

America banned abortion? What...? I guess you assumed trump being elected means everything his party supported came true? lol If you're so unaware of how the US works maybe set it where you live and if you are an american... do some research?

Like I dunno how much you can screw up abortion, it's a medical procedure. You don't need a melodrama about it, people really do get overhyped over something that's just happens. The melodrama comes from other people judging the person but the whole abortion thing itself really isn't much of a drama inducing thing. I know some people get upset although others tend to not care and only notice how much destruction a baby does on the body. It's kinda horrifying that it really is essentially a parasite. You learn a lot of interesting facts knowing someone who had abortions. Child rearing is absolutely dreadful.

[trivialtales]

It's not immoral to talk about things you want to talk about. Comics are generally fictional, do what you want to do. Just remember that a lot of people have mentally vacated, so if you do something too uncomfortable, you might lose them. Also, if you don't do your research and have no idea what you're talking about.

Anyway, I'd say if you feel like you're exploiting it for views, don't do it.

[mariusthered]

A. i will keep my views about Trump to myself but I'm not a fan.
b. the story I wrote is much more about the relationship and interaction of the people than the decision they take.