No matter which side of the argument you fall on; abortion remains a hotly debated issue that often involves intense emotion, discomfort and (sometimes deliberate) misinformation. Here in the U.S.; after a recently leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that could strike down abortion access, the topic of reproductive rights is front and centre.
If you want to engage in conversation with someone about the importance of protecting abortion access and the right to choose; you’ll likely come across several key misconceptions that you may want to address …
Using protection stops the need for abortion; just be more careful …
While it’s encouraging that a range of contraception methods and devices have very high levels of efficacy (especially implants, vasectomies and hormone-releasing IUDs); no protection is considered 100% effective. Incorrect/inconsistent use of any method (including male/female condoms, pills, diaphragms, withdrawal, etc) can result in unintended pregnancy (accidents do happen; we all know this). It’s equally significant to note that not every method of contraception will be suitable (or available) for everyone looking to use them.
In the United States, any employer offering health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), for example, can cite religious or moral reasoning to refuse employee contraceptive coverage. Between 70,000 and 126,000 people use the ACA to access free reproductive care (in many instances because of low income). Since the news broke that Roe v. Wade is likely to be repealed in the Summer; there’s growing momentum among some Republican-led states to look into banning contraceptives too.
The fact that almost every aspect of reproductive care is under threat shows that this isn’t about stopping abortions from happening; if it was, education and free/affordable access to all preventative methods would be made comprehensively and equitably more available.
Further Reading: Half of States Set to Ban Abortion Have No Sex Ed Requirements (The 74)
Getting abortions goes against God …
This extremely narrow outlook ignores the fact that there are a plethora of multi-denominational religions that hold a diverse range of positions about abortions within the United States. Forcing adherence to one specific, narrow set of beliefs flies in the face of religious freedom, as guaranteed by the First Amendment; which also includes the protected right to not practice any religion at all and forbids Congress from promoting one religion over another. Pushing religious views onto others, especially by way of legislation is unconstitutional and borders on indoctrination.
People getting abortions need to find God …
According to data collected by the Guttmacher Institute, 62% of people who have had an abortion in the U.S. are religiously affiliated; including Catholics, mainline Protestants and evangelical Protestants (among others). People from all faiths, spiritualities and belief systems access abortion services because it’s a personal choice that should remain protected.
Abortions are unsafe and lead to reproductive problems later on …
Legalized abortion is actually safer than childbirth in the United States. In fact, this country has the highest maternal mortality rates of any developed country; in addition, it’s the only industrialized nation in the world where this trend is rising. A briefing by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), for example, found that mortality rates for legal abortion is around 0.7 deaths for every 100,000 procedures; whereas rates for childbirth are about nine deaths for every 100,000 deliveries. The AAAS also found that there were no long-term or increased future risks of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, congenital defects, premature births or infertility.
Having an abortion through a safe, sanitary, highly trained health-care provider is one of the safest medical procedures available.
Bans stop all abortions …
Significant worldwide research carried out in 2020 found that abortion rates were roughly the same in countries where it’s legal as those where it isn’t. The data (and history) clearly show that restricting or preventing access does not reduce the need or number of abortions. Many will have no choice but to seek out potentially unsafe medications and procedures that place their health and lives at risk; particularly those who cannot comfortably afford travel to places/facilities where abortions are still available.
People having abortions are [insert inaccurate/misleading information] …
Here are some quick facts about who is having abortions in the United States that may help you understand the issue further (all data comes from the Guttmacher Institute unless otherwise stated):
- 92.7% have abortions at or before 13 weeks gestation (CDC)
- 75% were from low income families with many at/below the federal poverty level
- 59% already had children; many citing the financial strain on their ability to care for their current children as reason for terminating a pregnancy
- 61% were aged between 20 and 29 years old
- 51% were using a contraceptive method in the month they became pregnant
- 95% of participants in a Social Science & Medicine study found that patients didn’t regret getting an abortion; with most feeling a sense of relief
Every person in this country deserves having equality and control over their personal and private reproductive decisions. Implementing legislation that removes self-determination from anyone who can fall pregnant (including queer women, transgender men and nonbinary people) effectively robs vast sections of society of their dignity.
Reproductive freedom is critical to a whole range of issues. If we can’t take charge of this most personal aspect of our lives, we can’t take care of anything. It should not be seen as a privilege or as a benefit, but a fundamental human right. | Faye Wattleton
Are you having conversations about reproductive rights? What information do you want to share?
Further Info:
The Right to an Abortion Is Supported by the Text and History of the Constitution – Constitutional Accountability Center
transatlantic | notes 
Thank you for sharing all of this important information!
LikeLike
You’re welcome — I’m happy it was useful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep sharing these great posts! They’re very helpful.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing some good information, it can definitely be a difficult topic to discuss for many people.
LikeLike
It’s such a hard thing to discuss (which I totally understand why) so it helps to be as well informed as we can; this helps us understand what’s at risk. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Some really informative points here, Molly. Particularly that banning legal abortions won’t make stop illegal, unsafe abortions, from which more women could die. It’s a very sad state of affairs in America at the moment.
LikeLike
It is very disheartening to see where this is headed; I hope the right to reproductive freedom and choice is protected. I appreciate you taking the time to read!
LikeLike
Yeah, these are good ways to help people talking about abortions. Very informative post. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
I am so glad this was useful and informative; thanks for reading!
LikeLike
I’ve been in so many conversations about abortion and sometimes they’re really difficult to have. Great information!
LikeLike
It is such a difficult topic as everyone has their own individual stance and thoughts on it; which goes to show that it really should be an individual (protected) choice. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
It’s such an important topic to talk about. And it’s quite terrifying to think what could happen if the rule does change
LikeLike
So many things are dependent on this decision; I hope abortion rights are fully protected. Thank you so much for reading!
LikeLike
Your statistics further support the need for women to have the choice to have abortions.
Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Exactly — choosing what happens to our bodies is vital. I hope the government does what they can to protect this right.
LikeLike
This is an incredible post, and keep sharing information like this. Information on this issue is vital, and the more accurate information out there, the better. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
I hope this post keeps people informed; I really appreciate you reading!
LikeLike
Such a great post, love all the facts and stats in this! It’s so scary that people’s right to have an abortion might be taken away.
Corinne x
LikeLike
I hope this information proves useful to whomever needs it; it all helps us better understand what is sadly probably about to be struck down. Thanks for reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the statistics in this post show the absolute need for safe abortion services for all. It’s so important to keep the conversation going about abortions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly; every support and service should be made widely available (and a protected right). I hope all this information helps!
LikeLike
This is a tough topic indeed. I’m pro-life but I’m also pro-choice and I believe no woman considers abortion lightly. I think each woman should be supported, counseled, and provided with unbiased information about their options. Thank you for taking up this delicate issue and providing ways to discuss it more openly.
LikeLike
I think there are many people who are in line with your stance too; they’re pro-life (for themselves and their own decisions) and understand that if they get to make that choice for themselves then other people should have that right too (pro-choice). Thanks for sharing your perspective; it’s valuable in this topic that impacts us all.
LikeLike
This is such an informative write-up. There’s so much misinformation floating around that the powerful use conveniently to suit their needs. Some of the rules and laws are archaic and have no place in modern, progressive society. It’s all about the need to control. And I love this line: “Every person in this country [the world] deserves having equality and control over their personal and private reproductive decisions.” Thank you for sharing. Loved the post.
Je
LikeLike
There is so much misinformation that it’s vital we do what we can to make sure we share the facts. I hope this post proves useful to whoever needs to learn more, etc.
LikeLike
As a male, I was against abortion. The only circumstance where I believe abortion was warranted is pregnancy from a rape incident. There are so many women today who have had an abortion and consequently are unable to have children. Today, I believe that women should have the freedom to do what they want with their bodies. At the end of the day, she will have to live with her decision.
LikeLike
Abortions will not usually affect future fertility; there are of course an extremely rare number that may encounter issues (usually related to an infection, etc); but generally it’s an extremely safe procedure/medication. As with all health decisions; this needs to be left up to the individual and it’s so worrying that this is something a lot of people will lose the right to do. I agree that everyone should have the freedom to do what they want with their bodies; I hope this right ends up being vigorously protected. Thank you so much for commenting!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for sharing this incredibly informative post. There’s SO much misinformation out there and it’s important to address it, especially when you’re having a conversation with someone. I live in Canada and many of us are having important conversations about our reproductive rights. Thanks again!
LikeLike
It’s good to have conversations but over the last number of years it’s been made almost impossible with the misinformation being spread (which is clearly the point). I hope Roe is protected but I think we can all see where this is going. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
I think that the statistics you provided in this post speak for themselves. Sometimes, apart from a decision, abortion is also necessary.
In any case, the decision to have or not have an abortion but be a fundamental right of each woman. I hate it when people talk about other people’s actions and decisions as if it is something that their opinion should be valued.
LikeLike
Exactly! If it’s not your body it is not your decision; and this should be protected for everyone not matter what the situation or procedure is. It’s a very sad time right now.
LikeLike
This is a complicated topic to talk about. I recently stumbled on a roundtable TV show where, several religion experts stated that now religion is abortin considered a sin or against God, and that even in Islamic countries it’s legal. (I have had a chance to recheck, but doubt they would lie).
And really in USA employers can decide what health care their employees can get? Getting pregnant should be against their interest?
LikeLike
It’s a really hard topic made even more complicated by the misinformation and the interests of certain groups being forced on others (like the employer situation). It’s truly an individual choice and I hope that right is protected. Thanks so much for reading!
LikeLike