When I first began speaking about abortion, I was met with much deterrence and defense. I realized that not only did this topic make women defensive, but it also made them uncomfortable. My eyes began to open to the fact that more women that I knew had had abortions than I realized. They were defensive because they held onto the notion that it was their body and their choice; while others were grappling with condemnation; and some felt like they had no other choice.

When discussing abortion, my focus was narrow in that I was solely focused on it being evil, but I was not addressing or giving ear to the reasons why women were choosing to have abortions. The truth is most women are not lining up to get abortions because they are heartless. Most women are not rejoicing or proud about having an abortion. Most women who have gotten abortions do so because they believe that it is the best decision not only for them but for the unborn child because of their circumstances.

Pro-life advocates are criticized for not providing solutions for women bringing children into the world while facing economic hardships. To the world, the pro-life community is simply pro-unborn, and they have a hard time understanding how we can advocate for children to be born into a world and into families where they may inevitably suffer.

When I originally wrote this article on thebplife.net in 2020, being new to the pro-life movement, I was ignorant of the existence of the many pregnancy centers and maternity homes that provide support, care, resources, and housing for women who are pregnant and are considering abortion. I found out that the mainstream narrative about pro-life advocates only fighting for babies to live without concern for the well-being of the mother was a LIE. Many of these centers providing expectant mothers with hope and resources were vandalized and burned down in the days and weeks following the overturning of Roe V. Wade. I realized that many who claim to be pro-choice are pro-abortion as they made efforts to close pregnancy centers, leaving women with fewer choices. The abortion industry and its allies in politics, entertainment, and the media have successfully convinced American women that abortion is their best option for unwanted unborn children, while simultaneously painting an image of hatred and selfishness for those in the pro-life movement.

Abortion, often presented as healthcare, is a prescribed “solution” for women pregnant with a child they believe they can’t support. Abortion is NOT healthcare. It is population control that begins with the poor and is the number one killer of African Americans. It is a murderous procedure that lines the pockets of those running the clinics through the sale of the aborted baby’s body parts and financially rewards those who advocate for abortion in the political arena.

But what if more women knew the truth? What if more women realized that there is an army of women not only telling them they could make it but helping them make it? What if there were policies and systems in place that equipped women to support their families and unborn children after birth? What if she knew that she was being prayed for and supported instead of feeling condemned?

My goal is not to condemn anyone who has had an abortion but to inform and encourage those who will consider it in the future. It is also to discuss possible solutions to the issues that put women in the position to consider abortion. I firmly believe that the most effective approach to ending abortion or making it the very last considered option is to inform and empower women, equipping them mentally, spiritually, and economically.

Let us talk about solutions. Let us dream. Let us envision what empowerment could look like on all levels.

Federal Level:

Shift federal funding from controlling the reproduction of the poor to economic empowerment of the poor. According to predictions based on current trends, the American economy is shifting towards an economy in which most American workers will be freelance or self-employed. Since entrepreneurship is the future, those who claim to advocate for the poor would be doing the poor a terrible disservice by not preparing them for that future. As a Christian, I believe that God has given everyone at least 1 ability that can be developed and trained to produce a living for that individual and their family. What if the government set aside funding for local organizations and the development of schools and programs to train people living in underserved communities in business finance, entrepreneurship skills, and taxation basics while connecting them with resources specific to their gifts/skill set?

Here are some other ideas:

- A tax credit for those running and attending entrepreneurial and training schools

- Reallocate a portion of welfare funding to small business grants, loans, and/or entrepreneurial education.

- Tax credits for businesses that provide grants, internships, and resources such as equipment and courses to single parents and those living with an income below $50,000.

- Grant income tax holidays to entrepreneurs in their first 2 years of business or until they’ve surpassed $60,000 in net earnings.

While the actions I recommend on the federal level involve spending and lowering taxes, these actions would ultimately boost the economy and decrease spending as these actions would result in decreasing the number of people depending on the system. I believe that government assistance should not be the first step of action for those in need but I also don’t believe in doing away with government assistance completely. I do advocate for reforming social programs so that they are successfully taking people off of the system and into positions of independence.

City and State Government level:

1. The state must make every attempt to dissuade women from getting an abortion, providing hope through counselors, and informing and disclosing the consequences of abortion. Abortion, while not altering the spiritual and economic state of the woman, may lead to a higher likelihood of subsequent procedures, potentially causing emotional and psychological harm. Additionally, the impact on future fertility is often undisclosed by practitioners and pro-choice advocates. It must be made mandatory for abortion practitioners to fully disclose the emotional and physical risks, as well as the possibility of not being able to have children after an abortion. They must also provide counselors sponsored by pro-life advocate groups and local churches to counsel women who show up to abortion clinics yet are undecided and are displaying emotional conflict. Where abortion remains legal, it must not be offered or pushed as a primary option.

2. Loosen restrictions on public vending to include low-income residents. Local governments should grant access to vendor licenses to low-income families and designate more public spaces while setting dates, and time shifts to vendors. This would encourage entrepreneurship, decrease the number of families dependent on the system, empower the local economy, and bring families out of poverty.

3. Business loan or grant options to welfare applicants. Give those who are out of work and seeking assistance but have a desire to start a business, the option of receiving a stipend to cover the cost of resources needed to operate a business. The recipient must present a solid plan with earning potential. In the same way, the state requires recipients to check in and verify that they are in

need or have been looking for a job, is the same way the state can also verify that the recipient is actively working on their business plan and seeking the resources they need. The state can partner with churches or local organizations to facilitate helping those who choose to accept the stipend.

**Private Sector Solutions:**

1. Partner with local churches and organizations to provide grants, internships, and resources such as equipment and courses to single parents and those living with an income below $50,000 in exchange for a federal tax credit.

2. Provide free online training courses related to the industry of your business. This would not only empower people to also become customers of your business but would create a pool of new talent and potential hires.

The Church:

The issue of abortion is not just an economic issue but a cultural issue. The church is called to confront the darkness in society, and I believe that we must do so by first and foremost spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ beyond the four walls, providing hope and freedom, as well as speaking biblical truth about abortion. We must also confront the darkness in society and culture that leads to abortion by infiltrating culture with God’s truth in innovative ways. As people who serve the master creator, why aren’t we creating the best films? Music? Content? The ability is present, but I believe the effort, strategy, and resources allocated to such things are not. Ministry must go beyond the four walls and not just to the street corner or YouTube but to every sphere of influence. Let us use our creativity to remind people of the value and sanctity of life, marriage, and godliness in ways that rival and outperform the forms of entertainment and content the secular world has to offer. The church must continue to provide tangible support for those who cannot help themselves, get involved in local government, and be informed on a local and national level on policies that impact our community and lend our God-given voices.

Pro-life Advocates:

There are MANY in the pro-life community doing amazing work that rarely get the recognition they deserve. To them I say, keep fighting the good fight. I have been inspired and learned a lot from this community of doers.

So what can YOU do?

Adopt.

Finance daycare.

Babysit. Mentor.

Finance someone’s education.

Pray with and pray for expectant mothers.

Help in the job search and prep for interviews.

Donate or sponsor equipment needed to run a small business.

Share your testimony.