How Do We Prevent Abortion? Obama Thinks One Way Is To Help Pregnant Women

Abortion is often framed as one of those issues where it seems unlikely that the two opposing sides will ever see eye to eye. But new efforts by the Obama administration may be successful in reducing the number of abortions while keeping reproductive choice secure and legal. As part of a new “common ground” abortion initiative, Obama has created a new pregnancy assistance program that will make $25 million available to pregnant women, who can use the funds to finish high school or college degrees, obtain health care, or afford childcare and housing. The money can also be used to combat violence against pregnant women.

Obama has made it clear that finding common ground on abortion is one of his priorities; in a speech at Notre Dame in January 2009, he called for a less polarizing dialogue on abortion, saying, “no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.”

Moderate religious groups seem encouraged by the move, as well as liberal pro-choice groups like Planned Parenthood. More conservative groups, however, seemed skeptical, claiming that it doesn’t “specifically address abortion.” This, of course, is a ridiculous statement; if women feel that they have the options and support to carry their pregnancy to term, they will be far less likely to access an abortion, and to suggest that women have these resources now is patently absurd.

As a pro-choice activist who admires Obama’s calls for an emphasis on sex education and support for women and families as a way of reducing the number of abortions and providing more rights for women generally. And in that sense, I see this initiative as a good first step, but nothing more than a first step. I find it disappointing that none of this money can be used for sex education or subsidized contraceptives, which I think are by far the most effective ways to allow women to make informed choices before they get pregnant. But providing funding for women to lead more empowered lives as mothers is certainly a welcome move, and I hope that Obama expands the program quickly, while keeping an emphasis on other ways to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Photo from Flickr.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Donna M.

11:46PM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

The answer lies in birth control and education for woman and so I support Obama's efforts. If you bring a child into the world without the economic and emotional resources to do so, you are not doing service to God, yourself, your extended family or the community. A life that cannot be cared for is more cruel, and prolonged cruelty at that, than the abortion act. The decision to abort is a personal one and woman need to be educated about the consequences and realities of being a mother.

send a green star

Lika S.

8:25PM PDT on Jul 19, 2010

I agree that supporting pregnant women is a good way to start with preventing abortions. Too often the reasons to have one is due to financial reasons, and if the father of the baby leaves because he doesn't want to be a dad, the woman is faced with having an abortion or being a single mother.

In today's poor economy, many women think they can't afford to be a single parent, and in many cases, it's true. If we can help her see that she CAN make it, even if it's just eking by, that the amount of abortions would be fewer.

Lets keep that option open for those who really need the abortion services, because too many women need it for other reasons than funding. In cases of rape, incest and life health of the mother, it should be up to her to choose which decision to make, w/o the pressures of one side or another saying she HAS to have or CAN'T have that abortion.

Lauri D.

6:55PM PDT on Jul 17, 2010

when roe vs. wade is overturned, if ever, maybe people will take precautions before having sex as they should. in the case of teenagers in many states the girl needs parental consent before getting birth control & many girls are hestitant to tell their mothers. until then adoption is a better alternative than taking an innocent life.

Nellie K A.

9:46AM PDT on Jul 14, 2010

Most women wanted to prevent unplanned pregnancies because they were not ready.

9:43AM PDT on Jul 14, 2010

This is just nonsense. The women who want an abortion is because they didn't want to be pregnant in the first place. I'm anti-abortion anymore because now I think of who would want to bring up a weird baby into the world that would die any way like a multi-eyed blob or if it's a matter of life and death. So I'm pro-abortion in the case where the women did not choose to be pregnant. I'm anti-abortion in the case where the woman chose to be pregnant and then she decides too late in the pregnancy that she wants to perform it....

Lynn C.

12:48PM PDT on Jul 12, 2010

The reasons are varied and personal...not every woman wants or should be a mother...no I don't think this will work in all cases.

Marie B.

7:42AM PDT on Jul 12, 2010

My experience is that helping young or older women can be very effective. The psychology of men and women are not always as rational as one could think. Deep down, women or men wsih to give life, to experience this power, even though it is not conscious. That is my answer to prevention with contraception/ it means it does not always work the simple way one thinks.
I have known young people who are nearly forced to get abortion, because parents don't want to help: they think about the future of their daughter, they don't want to bear this "shame". OK. but if you see the result afterwards! A young person, but also an adult who gives death just at the place where she should give life destroys herself, even though she is not believer: she has destroyed the best gift , the typical gift of a woman: protect life from conception until birth and throughout life. I have followed young people who were pushed to abort, and helped them to go through, it takes...yeqrs and years and stays always deep down in the heart.
some young or adult women changed their meaning and kept the baby: what a difference! They fight FOR life, it is very difficult and painful, especially when nobody wants to help them. But when they see their child at birth, everything is forgotten in a immense joy. There they get the courage to continue. Once one of these yong women gave her baby at birth, it was very painful but she was at peace, she had given the baby a chance to LIVE.
For those who have aborted and are

johan l.

12:20AM PDT on Jul 11, 2010

To Teleia P.
I pity you!
Yhis whole abortion scenario, is a matter of either for or against!
Nomatter what is done, it will always start a new debate.
If something is done to help young girls finish their schooling, no one can surely find fault with that.
In any case $25mil is not an enormous amount and should not make anyone hot under the collar!

Serena M.

4:15PM PDT on Jul 10, 2010

Listen. This is tiresome. Fact One: There is and has been and AGENDA for the culling of the herd; aka US. Abortion is murder of little human beings. TRUE. When individuals within tribes or communities took the decision to prevent, subvert or abort little human beings through natural means, there can be no argument with that. BUT when a 'state' - an imaginary structure of self=proclaimed 'Elites' determine that us, the HERD are to be scientifically culled; now THAT is a different issue entirely. Globalization = Depopulation which is umbilically tied to 'climate change' rhetoric and 'overpopulation'. Woman ALWAYS had the 'right to choose' before the medical mafia intervened circa Salem. Guys, we either choose nature (the supreme life) or 'science' - the destruction of humanity. Welcome to the psychopathic paradise known as the world reality on planet earth.

Rosanne G.

1:22AM PDT on Jul 10, 2010

I have always wondered why pro-choice only sees the life of the woman & to hell with the life of the baby? I don't need to quote a Bible or tell you about my God. But I don't want you to preach your Gospel to me. Your belief is in the Woman Alone. My conscience is in LIFE, from the moment of conception. You care about the so-called MOTHER, while pro-Life cares about the baby & the mother. Please don't ask me to adopt your child that you carry to term. I am too old. But there are others who cannot conceive & who are traveling to foreign countries & spending tens of thousands of dollars that they could be spending on adoption of YOUR BABY in this nation. Your 9 month inconvenience could make the difference in so many people's lives. Who knows, you may be carrying the next President of the United States who would actually not give lip service to Pro-Life efforts, but actually protect all human life. God knows, OOOPS, Obama's mama was in a situation that she could have snuffed out her product of sex, but she didn't. She chose life, even though I don't care for the person her son has become, a two-faced, socialist liar who takes care of his own race, religion & agenda. This one little piece of legislation may be a small step in the right direction, but Obama has a long way to go to “right the wrongs” he continues to force on this nation.