U.S. PRO-LIFER PROPOSES AUDIENCE-SENSITIVE STRATEGIES

NEW YORK, Apr 7 (LSN) – In the April edition of First Things, Paul Swope, Northeast Project Director of the Caring Foundation and President of LifeNet Services, writes a thought-provoking article about the latest research on the psychology of modern American women, and their views about crisis pregnancies.  Swope argues the results indicate pro-lifers need to tailor their strategies according to the feelings and thoughts of women. The research in question seeks to understand why most American women are “personally opposed” to abortion,” while favouring “choice.” The findings indicate that most women do not see any “good” coming from an unplanned pregnancy, and that in such situations,  women must choose the least of three “evils”: namely, motherhood, adoption, and abortion. According to the study, “unplanned motherhood” represents a threat so great to modern women that it is perceived as being equivalent to a “death of self.” Thus the perception of the decision to abort is either “my life is over” or “the life of this new child is over.” Adoption is said to be the least favoured option, since it is seen as a double death, first in “becoming a mother” (that is,  carrying the child to term), and then in being a “bad mother,” by giving the child away.  The study has been used by the Caring Foundation to put together pro-life TV ads that have proven amazingly successful. The research suggests focusing on women rather than babies, whether or not it appeals to pro-life activists, may have the effect of dramatically reducing the number of abortions.  An independent study on a thirteen-week pro-life television campaign in Boston showed a shift of 7 percent among the entire population of the region, translating into a total of 308,000 adults who switched to the pro-life position.  This article is well worth the read. To read it, go to the following address, or email:  [email protected] for a copy.  https://www.firstthings.com/