Misperceptions about abortion...when to confront them?

[Lori]

I face this every semester. I have students who write about abortion and present things that are factually untrue as facts. They'll say things like women can't have any more children after abortion, that abortion increases breast cancer risk, that women are likely to die from legal abortions--things that have been proven false over and over and over.

So should I correct the information, or just leave it? In most other cases, I'd correct that kind of wrong information, but I've encountered enough students who are looking for any reason to think their instructions are left-wing indoctrinators waiting to attack them that I'm always wary of ever questioning any student for any conservative view, and I let A LOT slide on conservative papers that I wouldn't let slide on non-political papers or papers arguing liberal positions. I'm not proud of doing it, but that's the reality of how things are today. If a student writes me a paper from a conservative viewpoint, I'm extremely leery of either giving it a low grade or pointing out problems with the evidence or logic. I try to avoid papers that could be at all political to get around that, but students seem to find a way. So my instinct is to just let wrong information slide, so that a student won't think I'm somehow trying to brainwash them, but at the same time I realize that's not doing my students any service.

I did correct a student last term who wrote a paper about how awful Plan B was and, the entire time, had Plan B confused with RU-486, but that was a really big, blatant error, and not anything she could feel oppressed over, or did feel oppressed over.

In a case like this, would you correct the student?

[Erika]

I would definately correct it. It doesn't have to be done in such a way as to appear arrogant. Just get the correct information and discuss it with the class, citing how important it is to cite relevant studies and ACCURATE information.

Letting wrong information slide just lets wrong information continue to spawn, kwim? You should never fear at least debating the facts with someone.

[elin]

I face the same problem, as I teach political science. What I tell everyone is, I hold everyone to the same standards. And I was accused of being racist because I asked a student to provide sources to back up claims about how rampant racism is in America. I try to make the rules of evidence clear so that students know that I am requiring everyone to meet the same standards. For example, in the abortion cases I'd require citations from a MEDICAL or PROFESSIONAL journal backing up those claims, or a comparison of these more authoritative, impartial claims in conjunction with claims by religious or political sources. But it is no fun...and very hard to get students to see the difference between criticizing the evidence and criticizing the view.

[Polly]

Redefine where they can quote sources from. Seriously, it must be a legit site or organization. They must cite the exact study that they base their opinions on and it cannot be the only study done (otherwise it's called preliminary study!). These are not just my guidelines. I went to Marymount University in Arlington, VA, a very Catholic school. These were the standard Marymount guidelines as well. They were written on the syllabus for every class and passed out at the beginning of the semester. Make it part of your rubric (and make sure it's written down and passed out) that even if a student is presenting an opinion, if they cite a "fact" they must footnote it with legit sources.

Hope this helps,

Polly

[Lori]

Well, it ended up being moot, because she misunderstood the entire assignment, so a wrong detail was the least of her problems.

[gr8mommy]

If it were any other 'issue', would you correct misinformation? If so, correct it. If the only reason you wish to correct her is because it is information or a viewpoint you disagree with, then no.

[malcontent]

I think you need to correct factual errors, regardless of topic or the student's political slant. Even an editorial in the local newspaper wouldn't be printed if it contained "facts" concocted to bolster the author's opinion. I see nothing wrong with demanding a higher standard in academic writing.

It seems very unfair to give default high grades to papers expressing conservative opinions if the same papers would be unacceptable coming from a liberal student. Don't be initimidated.

[Kristen]

I agree with gr8mommy and malcontent. I'm pro-life, but I'd want to know if my info was off.

[Erika]

Kristen, I'm pro-choice, but like you would want to know if I had wrong information.

And I would want any misinformation corrected, whatever the subject.