If you really cared about reducing abortion, you’d support more social programs.
Many people believe that the key to reducing abortion is to provide a robust network of publicly funded social programs. And contrary to what many pro-choice people believe, programs that provide resources to disadvantaged families are welcomed by pro-life advocates. Every pro-lifer wants poor families to get the help they need.
However, contrary to what one might expect, the evidence reveals no straightforward association between the availability of social programs and abortion rates. Many nations that spend more on social welfare programs than the United States — such as the United Kingdom, Sweden and France — actually have higher abortion rates. Clearly factors other than social spending have an impact. These could include religious practice, attitudes towards family, and the legal status of abortion.
See also Why don’t you care about babies once they’re born?
Sources:
Johnston, Wm. Robert. “Abortion Rates by Country.” Johnston’s Archive. Last modified July 1, 2023. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/policy/abortion/wrjp336abrate2.html.
Scheidler, Eric J., et al. “It’s time for the pro-life movement to embrace bold, new pro-family policies.” Building a Post-Roe Future. https://postroefuture.com.
