CMV: The mainstream anti-abortion movement doesn't actually care about the welfare of children or women.

I know this sounds like a hyper-aggressive anti-conservative statement, but hear me out and try to shoot me down.<br><br>I've done extensive research into the history of abortion laws in the United States and have read many high-level documents from pro-life institutions and individuals. While on paper, some of these institutions claim to be committed to the welfare of pregnant women, I can't help but notice that they engage in wildly contradictory behaviour.<br><br>The most egregious example of this is that overturning **Roe v. Wade** was the only concern for organisers for years, while the issue of surrogacy (and abortion within surrogacy) is virtually ignored completely. If people really cared about the welfare of a child in such a situation, they'd be spending more time making sure the egg donor/surrogate isn't coerced or exploited by richer individuals who want a kid.<br><br>Other examples of the pro-life movement being hypocritical when it comes to their own moral framework include:<br><br>- Supporting abstinence-only education, a proven-to-fail method of decreasing teen pregnancy rates. This is especially problematic when it comes to queer sex, as straight sex is already taught with far more depth and care.<br> <br>- Opposing pre-marital sex, despite the fact that pre-marital sex is a normal part of human relationships and can't be stopped without some kind of dystopian surveillance state.<br> <br>- Supporting anti-immigration laws, which lead to children being separated from their parents, often leaving them vulnerable to sexual abuse.<br> <br>- Opposing universal childcare and other social programmes that benefit parents and children.<br><br>For these reasons, I believe that the mainstream anti-abortion movement doesn't actually care about the welfare of children or women. If you can change my view, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!<br><br>**Edit: I've had to take a break for the night, there are so many responses here!**<br><br>I'll try my best to update this tomorrow (most likely the afternoon, as I need to study for some exams). I've read through a few dozen responses so far, but I'll get to the rest eventually!<br><br>Thank you all for engaging in such thoughtful discussion so far. I'd like to make a few preliminary points:<br><br>- It's very clear to me that many pro-life people came in good faith to plead their case. Thank you.<br> <br>- At the same time, I've found a huge amount of hostile requests to be PM'd. If you're sending me death threats or threats of violence, you're doing the exact opposite of what you claim to want, which is to protect life.<br> <br>- I'm going to have to start using placeholders for the people who I'm engaging with, because there are just too many comments to keep track of. I understand this can be frustrating, as you want to be treated like a person, but it's just not sustainable for me to respond to everyone without losing my mind. I've already spent most of my day combing through the comments, and I have to study for exams soon.<br><br>I'll do my best to respond to everyone I can, but know in advance that I'm not trying to be dismissive. I'd love nothing more than to engage with each and every one of you, but I can only do so much.<br><br>**Edit 2: Sorry for the lack of updates.**<br><br>I've read through everyone's responses up to this point, but I've been too burnt out to do a proper response. It's mid-semester break now, so I have more time to engage with people properly.<br><br>I've noticed a few people asking for an update, so I thought I'd provide one here. I'll try to update tomorrow or the day after. I'm still really overwhelmed by all the responses, and I've been dealing with a lot of personal issues this week.<br><br>You all have a lot of valid points, and I'm taking them into consideration. I'm grateful for everyone's thoughtful and empathetic responses, and I'm sorry for people who got death threats or other forms of abuse.<br><br>I'll try to update as soon as possible, and give you all the thoughtful and nuanced responses you deserve.<br><br>**Final Update: Thank you all so much for engaging.**<br><br>I've read through every single response to this thread, and I've appreciated the thoughtful feedback people have given me.<br><br>Before I get into my final thoughts, I just want to acknowledge that this has been a positive and engaging experience overall, despite the personal attacks I've received from some people.<br><br>While the mainstream pro-life movement as a whole is yet to change my view, I want to acknowledge that there are pro-life people in positions of power who are committed to helping women and children.<br><br>However, the standard modus operandi of the mainstream movement appears to be supporting policies that harm women and children in the long run, while cutting funding for programmes that support parents in vulnerable situations.<br><br>Despite this, I've really appreciated the nuance and good faith some pro-life people have brought to the discussion. Thank you all so much for engaging, and for showing me that even though we may disagree, we can engage with each other in a positive and respectful manner.<br><br>**TLDR:** While certain pro-life people/organisations are committed to helping women/children, the mainstream pro-life movement still doesn't actually care about the welfare of children or women, and is mostly committed to enforcing patriarchal moral codes.