WASHINGTON, DC, January 29, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A new national poll indicates that the majority of Americans believe abortion makes women’s lives worse. According to the poll, only 16 percent believe abortion generally makes women’s lives better. Even among those who describe themselves as “pro-choice,” less than 30 percent believe abortion generally improves women’s lives.
In addition, the poll results, contained in a new pamphlet from the Elliot Institute, reveal that 67 percent of pro-choice women stated they would be “more likely to vote for a candidate who calls for government support for grief counseling programs to assist women who experience emotional problems after an abortion.”
David C. Reardon, Ph.D., director of the Elliot Institute, believes the poll results reflect a reality that has long been misunderstood by politicians on both sides of the abortion debate. “At least one of every four women voters has had an abortion, and most of these women consider it to be an ugly, painful memory,” he said. “Most have many regrets about their abortions, even if they believe it to have been their ‘only choice.’ This is why they don’t support the radical agenda of pro-abortion special interest groups. They’ve been there, done that, and hated it.”
The pamphlet, “Reversing the Gender Gap” also contains polling data which suggests that pro-life efforts to address the problem of coerced abortions will produce significant political gains for pro-life candidates. “Between 30 and 60 percent of women who have had abortions felt pressured by others to submit to an abortion,” Reardon said. “Candidates need to boldly and consistently articulate their desire to ‘prevent unwanted, unnecessary, and unsafe abortions’ and to ‘promote healing for those who already suffer from past abortions.’ These two themes will strongly resonate with the real needs and concerns of post-abortive women.”