Contraception-Abortion Lifeline

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The contraception abortion lifeline is a technique that deals with the sensitive issues of abortion and contraception and yet integrates both teaching and valuing. The technique can be adapted to a 20 minute period or continued for several hours of discussion, depending on age group, objectives of the unit, and the skills of the facilitator. On the chalk board or on a large piece of paper, the instructor initially draws a lifeline with some key points labeled. A values questions is then asked, "When does life begin?" Students respond independently until all who want to respond do so. An "L" for life is placed on the continuum for each voluntary response. After the students have privately or openly contemplated where life begins, a cognitive discussion of contraception and abortion methods can ensue. For each method of contraception that is discussed, the instructor puts a mark on the continuum above the lifeline. The decision of where to place the contraceptive method depends on the action of the contraceptive method. Following the discussion of contraceptive techniques, abortion techniques can be discussed and the periods of most appropriate use placed on the lifeline. Once the cognitive portion of the technique is completed, then the valuing questions begin. The final question in the technique is one that will reinforce personal values or promote the examination of personal values in a way that personal affective and cognitive value dissonance will be avoided or clarified. The question is, "Is the mark where you believe life begins on the right or left of your personally accepted contraceptive or abortion methods?" This final question can lead to a discussion of how to find peace of mind when using contraceptive methods, i.e., using appropriate methods (if any) which conform to one's own values. If students are uncertain as to when life begins, the technique will most likely stimulate some thinking. It can also lead to a discussion of the ease of modifying behaviors versus the facility of changing values. Other questions can be developed to relate the lifeline to other values. The abortion contraception lifeline places a traditional discussion of contraception and abortion method within a valuing framework.