Everyone knows abortion is an emotionally charged, divisive issue. This is precisely why most political candidates prefer to avoid it.
 

If they feel that pro-life candidates are failing to address the obstacles and problems that often lead to abortion and pressure or force women into unwanted abortions, or dismiss women who have had abortions as callous and selfish, they will not clearly hear or understand the pro-life message.

A Political Case Study: The Compassionate Conservative Who Wavered
 

A prime example of this dynamic occurred in the Bush versus Gore presidential campaign. Early in the campaign, the polls showed Bush had high marks from women who were attracted to his "compassionate conservative" message.
 

To pull women into his corner, Gore began hitting the "I'm pro-choice" message hard. Bush, probably hoping to avoid losing women's support, followed the traditional advice given to pro-life candidates: Say as little as possible about the abortion issue. Reassure pro-lifers that you are pro-life, then shut up.
 

Bush's failure to directly address the concerns of women who have had abortions meant that Gore's message went unchallenged. The more women heard Gore acknowledging their concerns, without any response from Bush, the more they began to fear that Bush was not truly a "compassionate conservative." Bush's silence left them to conclude that he really was the judgmental, condemning, out-of-touch-with-reality conservative that Gore and the media were portraying him to be.
 

Imagine you are a woman who was forced into an unwanted abortion as a teen by your parents. Or, imagine you are a woman who was battered by her husband and threatened with the loss of your home and essential financial support, or even murder.  Maybe you are still struggling with the trauma of this experience and grieving the loss of your child. Perhaps those around you have told you that it was for the best and you should just get on with your life. You may be trying to follow this advice even as you feel your pain is being dismissed and ignored. 

learn more

It would be natural, then, to feel misjudged or resentful when you hear a pro-life candidate talk about the moral evil of abortion, but fail to address the fact that so many women, like you, have been coerced or forced into unwanted abortions. On the other hand, from that perspective, how would you have reacted if then-governor George W. Bush had said the following during the presidential debates?   "I'm pro-life. I'm also pro-woman. And I'm deeply concerned about women who are being hurt or even killed by unnecessary, unwanted, and dangerous abortions.

"Surveys show that many women feel pressured into abortion. Many abortions are the result of pressure, coercion, misinformation, withholding essential personal or financial support, lack of viable alternatives, emotional blackmail, threats and even violence. Women and girls are often pushed into traumatic and unwanted experiences and then left to sort out the aftermath alone. That's not 'choice.'

"Rates of suicide, depression, substance abuse and other problems increase after abortion. Women are not told of the physical risks of abortion, including problems that can affect future fertility. Although abortion is sold as a safe and simple procedure, the women I know who have had abortions have told me that abortion is a safety hazard, not a safety net.

"I share the anger of women who were pushed or even forced into unwanted abortions by their boyfriends, husbands, parents, school counselors, employers, or others around them. I know that in most cases these other people did not understand the life-long impact abortion can have on women. But it is still gravely wrong to insist that a woman or girl who needs support from her loved ones have an abortion instead.
 

"I want to work on behalf of women so that no woman or girl is ever faced with having an unwanted abortion because of her circumstances or the actions of those around her. We need to protect the rights of women and girls so that they will not be pressured or coerced into unwanted abortions, or even physically forced to abort. This includes protecting those who are victims of domestic violence or pregnancy-related discrimination and abuse.

"We especially need to protect the rights of young girls who are facing violence or sexual abuse. Abortion is often used by sexual predators to cover up abuse when a pregnancy occurs. Tragically, abortion clinics often fail to ask questions or report suspected abuse, so that these girls are subjected to often traumatic abortions and then returned to the abusive situation.

"We also need to support additional research on the detrimental effects of abortion and counseling programs for women who are struggling with unresolved grief, trauma or other problems after abortion.

"Perhaps most important, we need to be less quick to assume culpability or to presume to know the circumstances of those who have undergone abortions. In many cases, abortion is an unwanted and traumatic experience and women need and deserve the support of their families, friends, churches and communities to heal from this experience.

"We also need to be less quick to assume that abortion is a cure-all for the obstacles that women face. My opponent wants the government to be involved in funding more abortions. That's not 'pro-choice.' Instead, that's promoting an unsafe, unfair and often unwanted procedure in lieu of offering women viable options and real support.
 

"I believe women deserve better. And I'm going to work to ensure they are offered better so that no woman will be pressured or forced to have an abortion. And for those who have already had abortions and need post-abortion counseling and support, I'll work to see they get it.
 

"These hurting women are our friends, daughters, sisters, mothers and wives. They deserve our love and support. We need to work harder to protect their rights and help those who are struggling find healing after abortion."
 

Women who have had abortions, as well as counselors who have read and helped to prepare this booklet all agree that if Bush had consistently addressed abortion in such a way, the term "hanging chad" would still be an obscurity.
 

We believe that it's vital to address women's legitimate concerns for their own sake – not as a means to an end. Further, we believe that doing so would also have resulted in a shift in votes of at least 10 percentage points among the 30 million American women who have had abortions, and probably much more. In addition, such a pro-woman emphasis would also have a positive effect on the middle majority of Americans, who are deeply ambivalent about the abortion issue but mostly concerned about helping women. They too would welcome proposals to reduce or eliminate abortion, as long as it can be done in a way that helps women.¹

To be continued in the next segment. To read previous segments, click here.

Citations

1. D. Reardon, Making Abortion Rare: A Healing Strategy for a Divided Nation (Springfield, IL: Acorn Books, 1996).

Hard copies of Reversing the Gender Gap are available from the Elliot Institute for $5.00 each (bulk pricing is available). Find out more about other Elliot Institute books and resources – including free downloadable materials – at www.unchoice.info/resources.htm. To place an order, call 1-888-412-2676.

DONATIONS to support the Elliot Institute's post-abortion
research, education and outreach can be made here