Anne Hendershottby Kelli

[Pro-abortion activist Steph] Herold suggests that instead of focusing on the lowered abortion rate, we should be asking “how do people’s perceptions of their community’s social norms around pregnancy impact what they think they should do about an unintended pregnancy?” Herold knows that the greatest threat to abortion is not public policy mandating waiting periods or access to ultrasounds prior to abortion. She knows that the greatest threat to abortion is changing the culture of abortion — the norms, values, beliefs and behaviors that surround abortion… [and] the ways in which the hearts and minds of young women and young men have changed about the reality and the humanity of the unborn child….

It is difficult to say exactly why we are seeing these dramatic declines. A sociological explanation for this would suggest a shift in societal attitudes — a change in the hearts and minds of young women and men — in the pro-life direction….

It is likely that it is uncomfortable conversations like these that are leading to the change in hearts and minds — even in the most liberal states like Connecticut and California….

Now is the time to expand these conversations — no matter how difficult they are — because it may be the process of lawmaking itself that is contributing to the decline.

Even a loss at the legislative level can be a victory for the unborn child if the conversation surrounding the horror of abortion can begin again to stigmatize what should be a shameful act for all involved — including the lawmakers.

~ Sociology professor Anne Hendershott (pictured), Crisis Magazine, June 15

[Photo via tkc.edu]

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