Written by Patience Griswold

A recent study from Care Net and Lifeway Research found that nearly 4 in 10 men whose partners have had an abortion said that, of the people their partners spoke to before having an abortion, they had the most influence on her decision. This is consistent with past research from Care Net finding that the same percentage of post-abortive women said that their baby’s father was the most influential in their decision to abort.

Despite the enormous influence that men play in abortion decisions, the abortion movement continues to insist that this is solely a women’s issue and that pro-life men must be silent on the matter. Men’s influence on abortion decisions also shows why it is so important for men to stand up for the lives and rights of the unborn. Pro-life men make a difference, and the abortion industry knows it.

The supposedly “male feminist” talking point from men who claim that their support for abortion is pro-woman falls apart considering the reality that 38 percent of post-abortive fathers and the same number of post-abortive mothers acknowledge that the baby’s father played the most significant role in the decision to abort.

Of the post-abortive fathers who responded to Care Net’s study, 34 percent were married to their baby’s mother, and 29 percent were cohabitating. It would be naïve to assume that this plays no role in women’s decision to abort. If a woman is in an unplanned pregnancy and her child’s father communicates that he wants her to abort or that he won’t support her and her child, she potentially faces a significant loss in support and stability if she chooses decides to keep her baby.  

Given the number of men who encouraged their partners to have abortions and acknowledged after the fact that they were likely the deciding factor, we cannot pretend that pro-abortion men are ignorant of their influence. Some have even gone so far as to point out the ways that they “benefit” from abortion. This isn’t about women’s rights, and it is ridiculous to pretend that it is. This is about an industry that profits from death, preys on fear, provides an excuse for men to refuse to support their unborn children.

Men not only play a significant role in abortion decisions, they also deal with the regret and sorrow that the abortion industry leaves in its wake. Every abortion leaves a child dead and two parents bereaved, regardless of whether they acknowledge that loss at the time. Because our culture insists that men should have no voice on the issue of abortion, unless if they are promoting the abortion industry’s agenda, many men grieve in silence and without support.

At the same time, post-abortive fathers are often more receptive to the idea that there is grace, forgiveness, and healing for past abortions. Care Net’s research found that 51% of post-abortive fathers agree that pastors teach that God’s forgiveness extends to past abortion decisions

More post-abortive fathers than mothers agree that pastors teach that God’s forgiveness extends to past abortion decisions, compared to just 44 percent of post-abortive mothers. Men and women need to know that at the cross, there is hope, forgiveness, and healing from abortion. The voices of men and women who are dealing with abortion regret need to be heard in order to expose the lies of the abortion industry and to let others know that healing is possible.

The influence that men have on abortion decisions shows the incredible difference that pro-life men can make. Men are powerful defenders of the unborn, and the abortion movement knows this. That’s why they insist that men must not have any say in abortion unless if they are promoting it. But men and women deserve so much better than this. Men have not only the right, but also the responsibility to defend the unborn.

The voices of pro-life men who speak up for the sanctity of all life, who support and advocate for women in unplanned pregnancies, and who challenge and equip men to fulfill their responsibilities as fathers are crucial in the fight for life. Men, the pro-life movement needs your voices. Lives depend on it.

This article was originally published by the Minnesota Family Council.