The number of Americans identifying themselves as “Pro-Life” has surpassed the number of Americans who identify as “Pro-Choice” for the first time since Gallup introduced the question in 1995. The poll reflects a right-ward shift of independent and moderate Republicans on this issue, with Democrats’ views remaining consistent.
In response to this news, some “Pro-Life” advocates are stating that there is a growing consensus that abortion “can be avoided through education about abstinence and birth control.” Where are the pro-life voices advocating for comprehensive sex-education programs? Affordable and accessible birth control? While there must be some pro-lifers who recognize that comprehensive sex education programs and increased access to birth control will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions, any efforts among pro-life individuals and groups to advance programs and access are not covered. Is this because such efforts are virtually non-existent, or because the media wants to only depict the polarization of this issue? One of the things I find so perplexing about the mainstream pro-life movement is that its strategies for reducing abortions are actually counterproductive. The pro-life movement is focused on limiting education about and access to contraception and promoting a restrictive, impractical (for many), and sexist standard of female sexuality. These strategies restrict the options women have to prevent pregnancy and result in more unintended pregnancies.
Obama has focused his efforts on limiting the polarization that so often characterizes the abortion debate, bringing attention to a goal that most people on both sides of the isle can get behind: reducing unintended pregnancies. However, while there is agreement that unintended pregnancies should be reduced, there is much disagreement between pro-choice and pro-life advocates about how to effectively go about doing so. This may explain the somewhat inconsistent moves Obama has made surrounding this issue. Obama’s proposed 2010 budget reduces the amount of funding available for abstinence-only sex-education to 25% of teen pregnancy prevention funds. However, he has opted not to include federal funding for birth control, which would ensure affordable contraception was available to millions of Americans. While I think his efforts help move discussion past whether abortions are morally permissible and toward developing constructive solutions that engage both sides of the aisle ultimately could benefit women, the compromises that seem to be taking place as evident in the above decisions could also continue to prevent women from receiving the education and access they need. Furthermore, should women’s ability to freely govern their bodies be an issue where we should seek common ground if it means that compromise is needed? Any thoughts?
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