As women, all of us have dreams and goals for the future. For many of us, these plans include motherhood and family, career aspirations, and hopes of making a much-needed difference in the world.
But how many of us, when asked to share our dreams for the future, would look someone in the eyes and say: “my dream is to have an abortion?”
Statistics show few women – if any – would give this response. Nearly 70 percent of women with a history of abortion describe their abortion as inconsistent with their own values and preferences, with one in four describing their abortions as unwanted or coerced. In fact, most women say they would’ve chosen to give birth if they had more emotional support or more financial security.
Abortion isn’t what a woman dreams of – it’s what the abortion industry sells her as the only “solution” when an unexpected pregnancy and difficult circumstances seem to stand in the way of her dreams. And nothing could be further from the truth.
If she’s battling an addiction, abortion isn’t going to help her overcome it. It may worsen her struggle. If she’s facing financial hardship and struggling to provide for the children she already has, abortion isn’t going to help her find a job and become financially independent.
Comprehensive data on the reasons women obtain abortions is limited. However, through our own analysis of theabortion industry’s research, Her PLAN found that the most cited factors fall into seven key areas: lack of support and feeling unready; concern for her own health or the baby’s health; interference with work or education; financial insecurity; abuse, substance abuse, mental health and relationship problems; adverse prenatal diagnosis; and concern for caring for the baby and children already at home.
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Many women cite multiple reasons for obtaining an abortion, with financial insecurity being the most common. Half of women who have abortions live at or below the poverty line and another 25% are below200% of poverty, making financial considerations a primary trigger for abortion. But if she has an abortion, is a woman better off financially than she was before? Has she received the support she needs to achieve financial stability? No. She’s left with empty promises of a “quick fix,” an empty wallet, and silence on the other end of the phone line when she calls and needs follow up care.
Abortion has never and will never help a woman out of poverty or to overcome her financial struggles and fears for the future. Abortion has never and will never help a woman escape an abusive relationship or finish her college degree. Abortion takes a staggering emotional and physical toll on women, often causing irreparable harm, but it will never help her to achieve her dreams.
Women deserve better. Women need to know that there is hope and a community of support that stands ready to walk beside them as they choose life and build a future filled with promise.
That’s why the more than 6,000 life-affirming resources and referral listings on Her PLAN’s Directory exist: to offer her real options, real care, and real hope. For each of the seven common “triggers” that cause a woman to feel abortion is the only way out, Her PLAN has dedicatedcategories of care that encompass trusted resources to offer her life-affirming support and hope.
By stepping up to offer resources and support, we can empower women to become the mothers, career professionals, and women of grit and grace they are and always wanted to be, instead of abandoning them to face the heartbreak of abortion isolated and alone. No matter who she is or what she’s facing, every vulnerable mom deserves to know that she can do this. She can embrace the joy of motherhood and achieve her dreams with her baby by her side and a community of support standing ready to help.
I’ve talked with countless moms who confirm this, and their stories are living proof that no matter how unexpected, their child doesn’t stand in the way of their dreams. But rather, that tiny and precious child becomes their source of boundless, joyful hope.
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