The holidays often bring up emotionally charged conversations around politicized issues like abortion.
Here’s your guide to talking about abortion with family this holiday season [ a thread 🧵]
Here’s your guide to talking about abortion with family this holiday season [ a thread 🧵]
One conversation will not change another person’s mind, but it can broaden their perspective.
Try not to go into a conversation with the primary goal of changing the other person’s mind. If they sense you are trying to persuade them, they will become defensive and shut down.
Try not to go into a conversation with the primary goal of changing the other person’s mind. If they sense you are trying to persuade them, they will become defensive and shut down.
Try to approach the topic calmly, and if you’re nervous about it, say so. People are going to be more open and vulnerable when you admit that you are.
Do your best to empathize with their perspective and listen actively.
This one is hard, but remember that your views differ because your lived experiences and points of reference also differ.
Be curious about their point of view.
This one is hard, but remember that your views differ because your lived experiences and points of reference also differ.
Be curious about their point of view.
You can show empathy by acknowledging areas of agreement, saying you understand their lived experiences and pointing out shared values with phrases like ‘we all want.’
For example, “We all want children to grow up happy and healthy, with the resources that they need to thrive.”
For example, “We all want children to grow up happy and healthy, with the resources that they need to thrive.”
A B C: Agree Before Challenging.
Name the common ground you share before challenging their point of view. This shows you’re engaging in good faith.
Name the common ground you share before challenging their point of view. This shows you’re engaging in good faith.
Talk about the experiences that shape your perspective. This builds trust and encourages the other person to open up.
What experiences shaped your current view around abortion?
Did you help someone get an abortion? Have you dealt with unexpected pregnancy complications?
What experiences shaped your current view around abortion?
Did you help someone get an abortion? Have you dealt with unexpected pregnancy complications?
Topics like abortion are emotionally charged. Keep in mind you can always step away or take a break if the conversation escalates.
Just say you need to use the restroom.
Just say you need to use the restroom.
Finally, know your facts. We have you covered.
The threads linked below talk about what happens when people are denied abortion care, why adoption isn’t an alternative to abortion, and why banning later abortions causes harm.
The threads linked below talk about what happens when people are denied abortion care, why adoption isn’t an alternative to abortion, and why banning later abortions causes harm.
The #TurnawayStudy shows that when people are forced to continue an unwanted pregnancy, they suffer severe financial and emotional distress ⬇️
https://twitter.com/ANSIRH/status/1525660020586827776
Adoptions can be traumatic for everyone involved, and most birth parents consider adoption the worst-case scenario ⬇️
https://twitter.com/ANSIRH/status/1577724055947395072
Banning abortions later in pregnancy makes things very painful and complicated for patients who learn about health complications in their pregnancies ⬇️
https://twitter.com/ANSIRH/status/1572786771221688321
Try to remember that this is the first of many conversations you’ll have.
A single conversation rarely shifts someone’s perspective, but it can open their minds to new ideas.
When you’re detached from the outcome, you can keep your expectations realistic.
A single conversation rarely shifts someone’s perspective, but it can open their minds to new ideas.
When you’re detached from the outcome, you can keep your expectations realistic.
Happy holidays, and thank you for having brave conversations.
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