Polling Shows Anti-Abortion is About Controlling Women, Not "Saving Lives"


The person arrested in the most recent effort to burn down a Planned Parenthood facility was angry he could not control a girlfriend three years ago when she had an abortion. His police record shows a history of domestic violence. While the anti-women violence of the abortion center arson does not represent many in anti-abortion political circle his desire to control women is not unusual.  

Even after Democrats did surprisingly well and polls showed reversing Roe tipped several close races, Republicans are doubling down, raging and trying to expand abortion prohibitions. This failed effort persists because the issue is more complex than "saving lives." Newer and more sophisticated polling has revealed the dark side of anti-abortion. It is resentment of women and resentment among women who support male domination.

Political pages have been since 2016 full of analysis of why Trump swamped Hillary in rural areas to win the Presidency. Everyone wants to figure out what is going on there--the cause of such big percentages of Republican voters.

Democrats usually think in terms of "programs." We need programs for rural areas, high speed internet,  better transportation and better farm prices. Republicans, including Trump, seem to understand rural areas better. They know it is not about "programs." It is about grievances.

It is hard to find exactly what the main grievance is. Further, when it is found it is impossible for Democrats to make the grievance disappear. Deeper polling has shown the grievance is the growing success and power of women. Women's lot has been improving while rural men, at least as they see it, have stood still. Women in these rural areas are more sympathetic with rural men than with urban women. The entire dynamic is also present in lower income areas of cities. 

How to get revenge for those women who have bested you? Oppose abortion. Everyone, even anti-abortion voters, knows abortion is the key to better lives for women.

When you hear anti-abortion is about "saving lives," take it with a grain of salt. 

Comments

  1. Ardy BFebruary 7, 2023 at 1:22 PM

    In the Libertarian sample cited in the link, many men have totally hijacked the reproductive autonomy of their women. I personally don’t know any woman that would stand for that. But, I’m sure there’s a bunch out there.

    Apparently there are men that threaten to withhold financial support for the child of the woman he impregnated for not aborting her pregnancy on his command. To me that exposes real impotence behind a “turgid tallywhacker”. But, I’m sure there’s a bunch out there.

    Then there’s the violence awakened in some by the anti-abortion rhetoric from politicians and the pulpit. There’s been murder, arson, physical assaults, in your face intimidation and insult on the streets by zealots ginned up on CRT, Christian Reproductive Terrorism.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JonFebruary 7, 2023 at 4:12 PM

      Ardy--Thanks for pointing out the complications around birth control and abortion. There are many. In the book about the Turnaway Study, the study comparing a large group of women all at the same stage of pregnancy and wanting abortions where some had abortions and others were turned away because they were a day or two late, there are long interviews with both women who gave birth and those who did not. One I recall said her religion taught her abortion is a sin and she did not want one. But she had one. She explained abortion is wrong and should not be available. "But, many do not know my particular circumstances....I had to have one."

      Delete

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