Over the years there's been plenty of data on the effect of abortion on women. Both anecdotally and through research studies, negative physical and emotional effects have been found repeatedly
More recently men have begun to share their post-abortive stories.
But few actual studies on the ramifications of abortion on men have been done. Now the organization SupportAfterAbortion.com has released findings from a national survey of 1,000 men over the age of 18. The purpose of the study was to determine how needed post abortive help is, and the most effective ways to deliver healing to hurting people.
The study, Abortion's Long-term Negative Impact on Men, questioned 100 men who had experienced an abortion and were willing to participate in the study.
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Legally, men have no say in the abortion decision. About 45% stated that they’d had no voice in the abortion decision whatsoever. The culture and media focus almost exclusively on women in the abortion discussion. Yet some men are deeply impacted by abortion, regardless of their personal views on abortion or whether or not they had a voice in the decision. While more men who considered themselves pro-life felt negative impact from the abortion, fully 60% who said they are pro-choice felt that impact as well.
"Because the societal conversation surrounding abortion is primarily about women, men’s grief is often disenfranchised," the study authors point out.
As National Review reported, the type of assistance men would find consider and find helpful was also looked at. About half of the surveyed men said they would prefer a licensed counselor. About 70 percent said anonymity was an important factor. About half said they’d prefer a secular approach to healing, with just 7 percent saying they’d reach out to a member of the clergy for help.
While quite a few post-abortion healing programs come from a Christian perspective, it’s possible that many of these men don’t realize that this support is available to anone.
“Men have been minimized, if not completely overlooked, in the conversation,” Dr. Brian Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California and reproductive health researcher, told the New York Times.
Regardless of their views on abortion, most men (83%) who had been through an abortion sought help or said they could have benefited from support. Most said they didn't know where to look for help. Just 18% of these men were aware of organizations that provide care after abortion.
The majority, seven out of ten, said they experienced an adverse change in themselves after an abortion, often for years. "Applying this to the 20% of men who experience abortion in their lifetime, means one in seven men may be coping with negative impacts from abortion," study authors concluded.
While many men go through emotional pain right after the abortion, others don’t feel any reaction or realize any emotions or life problems they’re experiencing are connected to the abortion until years later.
Emotions such as anger, regret, depression, and grief - regardless of whether they were part of an abortion decision - were typical.
My ex-girlfriend was pregnant and we decided to get an abortion. I’m feeling regret and having panic attacks about it. I need to talk to someone. - Client
I have an emptiness that always lingers. I had no choice. I couldn't save my baby. - Survey respondent
I'm having a hard time coping with the abortion my wife had. We agreed to it, and I still believe it was the right decision, but I’ve been having anger issues since then. - Client
Everything changed. Having to live life with this huge regret! I ask for forgiveness every day of my unborn baby. My heart will forever be broken for the decision I made that day. - Survey respondent
[For 40 years it] always remains in my mind as I see babies enter our family. I wanted the child, my partner opposed. - Survey Respondent
This study reinforces the need for healing resources for men and the need to find ways to let them know such programs exist. Many may have no idea that post-abortion healing programs exist, sometimes through pregnancy centers, sometimes through churches, and often through separate ministries or organizations. It’s possible some men may be more comfortable speaking with another man who has been through the healing process.
The study also highlights the need for educational outreach to young men on the humanity of the unborn child, so that their view of abortion is informed before the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy occurs.
