Grade 11

1. From the Unborn Child
UNIT 2 Live and Let Live

2. Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students are able to:
• discuss the pros and cons of abortion
• compare and contrast two text types that share the same
theme
• examine the relationship between text and context

3. What is abortion?
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Abortion
• known as a termination of
pregnancy.
• is the removal of pregnancy
tissue, products of conception
or the fetus and placenta from
the uterus.

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The reasons for having an abortion vary,
but a woman might choose this option if:
 Not being financially prepared
 Bad timing
 Partner-related issues
 The desire to focus on other children
 Concern that the pregnancy would
interfere with future opportunities

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 Not being emotionally prepared
 Health-related reasons
 Believing the baby deserved a better life
 Not being independent or mature enough
 Influences from family or friends
 Victims of sexual assault
 Not wanting to place the baby for adoption

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In the Philippines…
 Abortion is illegal under all circumstances and is thus
highly stigmatized.
 Abortion is common, but is often performed in unsanitary
conditions.

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 An estimate a rate of 27 abortions per 1,000 women of
reproductive age in 2000, with lower and upper estimates
of 22 and 31 abortions per 1,000 women.
 This rate was considerably higher than a more recent
estimate of the unsafe abortion rate in Southeastern
Asia as a whole (22 abortions per 1,000 women)

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 Poor women, rural women and young women are
particularly likely to experience unintended pregnancy
and to seek abortion under unsafe conditions
 The most common reason given by women for having
abortion:
* 3 out of 4 women not able to afford the cost
of raising a child
*1/3 felt that their pregnancy would endanger
their health

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*1/3 believed that their partner did not want to
support their pregnancy.
*13% of women who had had an abortion were
victims of sexual assault
*46% of women younger than 25, who had had an
abortion wanted to avoid interrupting their
schooling, had problems with their partner or
considered themselves too young to have a baby.

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 In 2008,an estimated 1,000 maternal deaths in the
Philippines were attributable to abortion complications.
 The country’s maternal mortality ratio increased from
161 to 221 deaths per 100,000 live births between
2006 and 2011.
 Tens of thousands of Filipino women are hospitalized
each year as a result of complications from unsafe
abortion.

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 A rate of 4.5 individuals per 1,000 women, and
countless others have complications but do not receive
treatment.
 560,000 abortions occurred in 2008 and 610,000
abortions in 2012.

14. A Prayer from the Womb
by Saju Abraham
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15. Vocabulary
1. Tear (verb)-to separate parts of or pull apart by force.
(Merriam-Webster, Dictionary ,2022)
Example: I saw my sister tear up the letter.
2. Midst (noun)- a period of time about the middle of a
continuing act or condition. (Merriam-Webster, Dictionary
,2022)
Example: The region is currently in the midst of a
terrible drought.

16. Vocabulary
3. Vocal cords (Noun)- One of two small bands of muscle within
the larynx that vibrates to produce the voice. (National Cancer
Institute,2022)
Example: She wanted to scream, but her vocal
cords were paralyzed.
4. System (Noun) a group of interacting bodies under the influence
of related forces. (Merriam-Webster, Dictionary ,2022)
Example: It's time for us to change the system.

17. Vocabulary
5. Womb (noun)-uterus. (Merriam-Webster, Dictionary ,2022)
Example: Researchers are looking at how a mother's health
can affect the baby in the womb.

18. About the Author
Saju Abraham
• is a lecturer in English at Sohar University, Oman.
• He was born in India and became a missionary at the age
of 15. It is during this time that he developed his poetry –
writing skills.
• He quit the missionary life and eventually left India to
word under the under the Ministry of Education in Oman.

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A Prayer from the Womb
by Saju Abraham
Why did you tear me off you,
When you knew I’d die without you?
I promised you peaceful sleep,
But you wouldn't hear me.
You were in the midst of planning your future.
I promised I wouldn't pull at your gown.
Nor tear my vocal cords when I'm hungry,
But still you didn't let me be.
I promised I would behave when your friends visit,
And when you're on the phone or in the kitchen.
But you still threw me out of your system.
Why mama, why? Am I so unagreeable?
I don't keep it against you mama.
I know that now you know
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20. A Letter from an Unborn
Baby
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Vocabulary
1.Despair (noun)-to lose all hope or confidence(Merriam-
Webster, Dictionary ,2022)
Example: She uttered a wordless cry of despair.
2. Restless (adjectives)- continuously moving(Merriam-
Webster, Dictionary ,2022)
Example: The children always get restless on long trips.

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Vocabulary
3.Defend (verb)-to protect someone or something against attack
or critics (Cambridge University Press 2022)
Example: I have a right to defend myself.
4.Fateful (adjective)-having an important and
usually negative effect on the future (Cambridge University Press
2022)
Example: He gave a detailed account of what
happened on the fateful night.

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Vocabulary
5. Retreat (noun)- an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is
difficult,dangerous, or disagreeable. (Merriam-Webster, Dictionary
,2022)
Example: The army was forced to retreat after suffering
heavy losses.
6.Unborn (adjective)-not born: not brought into life. (Merriam-
Webster, Dictionary ,2022)
Example: I believe life begins at conception and therefore
unborn babies have rights.

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About the text
The following text is retrieved from the Pregnancy
Crisis Service organization in Singapore. The text was
originally meant as an advertisement and was modified to
remove contact details.
Disclaimer: The following is a hypothetical letter from the
perspective of an unborn child.

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A Letter from an Unborn Baby
Hi Mom! How are you? I am doing just fine, thanks.
Only a few days have gone by since I was conceived and I am
now growing in your tummy. To tell you the truth, I can't
explain how happy I am to know that you are my mom. It also
makes me proud to know that I was conceived out of love. I'm
sure I am going to be the happiest baby alive.

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Mommy, a month has gone past and I have started to
notice how my body is forming. I know I am not much to look
at now but just wait and see-I'll make you so proud! Even
though I am feeling happy, I sense that something is wrong!
You seem to be having strange thoughts that leave me
restless and worried; but I am sure everything is going to be
okay! Don't despair!

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Two and a half months have gone by, Mom, I now have
hands that I can use to play with. Oh, I am so happy! Mommy,
please tell me what's wrong? Why are you crying so much
lately? Why do you and Dad argue every time you meet up
with one another? Don't you guys want me anymore? I'm
going to do everything I can to make you want me....

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Three months have now passed, Mom, but you still
seem to be so sad. I am not sure what is going on... I am so
confused. Today we went to see the doctor and he booked an
appointment for you tomorrow. I don't understand why I am
feeling so good and you aren't, Mom!

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Mommy, where are we going? What's happening?
Mommy, this is not normally the time that you take your
afternoon nap; don't lie down. Besides, I am not tired! I still
want to play! Uh!!! What is this thing doing inside of my
house?! Is it a new toy? Hey! It's sucking up my house...

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Please... don't tug at me! No... don't hit me! You're
hurting me! Can't you see that I am still small?! I can't defend
myself! Mommy!!! Stop them-that's my hand!!! Mommy, my leg...
they are ripping it out!!! Defend me, Mom!!! Help me, Mom!!! Tell
them to stop, I promise I'll stop kicking them if they do. How
is it possible that someone can be doing this to me? Oh,
Mommy, I can't go on anymore... h-he...lp me....

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Seventeen years have gone by since you made that
fateful decision. Now you still suffer over the very thought of
it. Please don't cry... I know you are still hurting, but you are
not alone. Mommy, if you are still sad, you can try getting away
from all the daily pressures of work and family and joining a
spiritual retreat to focus on the hurt you are feeling.

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In that retreat, you can come to terms with your decision to
let me go, and find forgiveness and peace of mind.
Love you lots,
Your baby

33. Summary
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A Prayer from the
Womb
A letter from an Unborn
Baby
Form Poetic prayer Letter
Persona Fetus (straightforward
and confrontational)
Fetus (gentle and loving)
Orientation Focuses on promises to
avoid being a source of
distress to the mother in
child rearing
Process-oriented- fetus
narrates what is happening
to him/her in the step-by-
step process of abortion.
Tone Accusative and directed
(formal tone)
Conversational and not only
addresses the mother but
also makes references about
the process of abortion

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A Prayer from the
Womb
A letter from an Unborn
Baby
Literary
devices used
Parallel construction Shifts from present to
past and from statements
to question
Words use by
the speakers
to refer to
their mother
Mama Mom and Mommy
Message A plea to let live A plea to let live

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References:
Hussain, R and Finer, L.B. (2013). Unintended pregnancy and unsafe
abortion in the Philippines: context and consequences, In
Brief, New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2013, No. 3.
<http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/IB-unintended-pregnancy-
philippines.pdf>
Taylor, M.L.G., Alonzo, R., & Flores, E.R. (2017).21st Century
Literature from the Philippines and the World for Senior High
School. C&E Publishing, Inc. 839 EDSA, South Triangle,
Quezon City.