But things get even more complex. The goal is to minimize the number of abortions performed. While restricting access to abortion is one way of doing so, so can laws that make people less inclined to want an abortion to begin with. Economic hardship is a major incentive to get an abortion, but (generally speaking) it’s the same politicians who are “pro-life” that are against the social welfare programs that could aid someone with an unwanted pregnancy and therefore make them more willing to bring it to term! How often do you hear a pro-life politician suggest anything other than regulation/criminalization as a way to stop abortion
Not sure if you are a woman or not?
Two points:
For years, I have read the secular women’s magazines, especially Glamour, but also Redbook, Allure, and Good Housekeeping. Only in the last year have I stopped reading these magazines because much of their content is now available only in an online format, and I don’t want to invest so much time sitting at a computer. (There’s just something about putting my feet up with a magazine…!)
These magazines make it clear that the majority of abortions are performed on women who have adequate means and a secure situation. That’s one reason why affluent women fight to keep abortion legal.
Stats from various pro-life organizations also make it clear that a large number of abortions are performed on women who are comfortable financially.
In other words, convenience, not need, is the reason why many women in the U.S. choose to have an abortion rather than have a child.
Both sides say this–the liberal women’s and the conservative pro-life organizations. Both sides publish stats.
However, the abortion rate among African Americans, which was very low in the early days of Roe vs. Wade, has risen. I believe the last stat that I saw was around 25% of African American babies are aborted. In other words, they are taking advantage of abortion as a method (made available courtesy of liberal politicians, mainly Democrats) to try to rise up in life.
Keep in mind, too, that the stats about African American abortions don’t always reveal the economic status of the women, so it’s very likely that many abortions are performed on African American women who have financial and social means.
Secondly, It seems you are making the assumption that government aid is a good way to help the poor. But real life seems to indicate that most government programs cost a fortune and do not result in a an upward movement in financial security of the poor and disenfranchised, whereas programs created by private organizations (e.g., the Mennonite Central Committee) DO have a significant impact on reducing poverty.
So many of us would not vote for even a pro-life Democrat because we do not believe that government created and managed programs, all paid for by our tax dollars, are effective in reducing poverty and helping people improve their situation. We prefer to donate our money and time to privately-run organizations that have a much higher success rate in helping people rise up in life.
