The Cut recently published an article “What you can do to help women in States with Extreme Abortion Bans”. The article seeks to offer ways to “advocate for the people these laws could impact”. What kind of support and advocacy do you offer for women who are seeking an abortion? According to The Cut, the only way to help women, is not to engage directly with the women, but to give money to abortion providers, volunteer at abortion clinics, and speak out in favor of abortion. These are not solutions to help women. These are solutions to help the abortion industry continue to make money.
I reject the notion that the only way to help women is to give money and time to abortion businesses. Women need more. Women deserve more. “Extreme” abortion bills necessitate extreme support for women. But the pro-life movement has been offering extreme support for women all along.
Here are real and practical ways to help women facing unplanned pregnancies.
1. Know about the help available. And share it. There are many wonderful resources nationally and in your local community that offer services for women and mothers. Learn who they are and what they do. Keep contact info on you and share with others who are seeking support. Here is a source to get your started: https://helpinyourarea.com.
2. Aid, without judgement, pregnant women or single parents. It takes a village to support each other. You are a member of that village. Engage in the lives of the people around you, your family, friends, co-workers, church members, etc. Imagine if everyone truly engaged and helped in the messiness of just one person; everyone would be supported (you included!) So, sacrifice some TV and FB scrolling time and offer it to the women in your life. Here are some suggestions on how to offer your time and support:
· Babysit free of charge for a single mom
· Make a meal for a new mom or take a mom and her family out to dinner
· Volunteer at a local pro-life pregnancy resource center
· Consider adoption
· Become a respite care home for foster parents
· Help/encourage a parent struggling with a kid at the store, restaurant, in church, etc.
· Incorporate giving into your routine- when you shop for the family, pick up 1 extra item and donate to a mom, local food pantry, or pregnancy resource center
· Be a safe place; be someone people can come to in crisis
· Donate money or items to a local pro-life pregnancy resource center
· Initiate a fundraiser at your school or church for a pro-life nonprofit
3. Advocate politically. There are still many social justice issues to be aware of. Educate yourself on these issues, research candidates’ positions, and vote for politicians that will support and uphold the dignity of life for children, women, and families. Here are some issues to consider learning more about:
· Child support protections
· Protections at work for pregnant women and mothers
· Increased penalties for domestic violence
· Increased funding for the foster system
· Reform of the adoption industry
· Making childcare more accessible
4. Implement pro-life policies at work. Are you a business owner or manager? You have the power, and responsibility, to foster a pro-life work environment and support mothers.
· Pay a living wage
· Offer paid paternity leave
· Provide a room for a mom that is breastfeeding to pump in private and comfort
· Be flexible with parents that need to stay home with a sick child or a mom with morning sickness.
· Offer time off for domestic violence victims