A Crisis of Masculinity
For too long, men have been told they should not have a voice on abortion, a narrative that has only helped create a culture of disempowered and disengaged men. But we know this is not true. Men have an important role to play in creating a society where women and children are loved and valued. It is time we took a stand for women and men.
Introducing a New Study on Men
What inspires men to provide authentic life-affirming support to their wife/girlfriend when faced with an unexpected pregnancy?
Why do men not speak up to protect their preborn children?
What is the man’s perception of his influence on the woman’s decision when facing an unexpected pregnancy/abortion decision?
We conducted this study to answer these questions and more so that we could better understand men’s emotional perceptions of abortion. If we can understand men, we can reach them and impact the culture. What we discovered was insightful.
Major Findings
1) The most common emotions men experience when first hearing about an unexpected pregnancy are fear, shock and excitement/happiness.
2) An unexpected pregnancy forces the man to evaluate his perceptions of the relationship, his readiness to have a child and/or his desire to have a child.
3) The conversation between the man and woman is vital, but many men do not know what to say.
4) The relationship health between a man and woman is an important factor in his involvement with and his desire to carry through with an unexpected pregnancy.
5) Men who are not committed/have low trust in their girlfriend/partner, or who are in a short-term relationship, feel less strongly about keeping the baby and more strongly consider abortion.
6) Many men perceive that the unexpected pregnancy (and therefore the possibility of fatherhood or abortion) is the risk they took when engaging in a sexual relationship with a woman.
7) Most men feel like abortion is primarily a woman’s decision, because she is carrying the child and it is her body.
8) Men generally acknowledge the preborn child as a life but perceptions vary as to what this means.
9) Men perceive fatherhood as a meaningful experience/role.
10) Most men feel strongly that there is an inherent duty and responsibility for the man to provide for and protect his family.
The Implications
We believe this study will play a significant role in helping the Pro-Life Movement prioritize strategies that will effectively impact men. Our findings have implications for how we reach men facing an unexpected pregnancy, how to frame important concepts like responsibility and fatherhood, how to identify a man’s emotional needs and more.
Time to Take Action
Lives can be changed with this research, but only if we partner with those willing to use it. You can help us impact the culture.
To empower pregnancy centers, pastors, policymakers and medical professionals, we developed useful recommendations and insights on how to reach men. Read more at the link below. Together, we can build a future where abortion is unthinkable.