The holidays are fast approaching, and so are family gatherings. That means it's likely that tensions may rise as someone brings up abortion while passing the mashed potatoes.

We're not ones to shy away from a conversation or an opportunity to open someone's mind on sexual and reproductive rights. So in preparation, we put together a guide on how to have meaningful conversations about abortion.

Common values, common ground

Connect to the personal experiences and values we all share.

• How people feel about abortion is often based on their values and their experiences with pregnancy, parenting, and planning their future.
  • This common ground is the best place to begin conversations. Starting with shared values creates a foundation for the conversation. Speaking about your values and what you are fighting for also creates hope in challenging times.
• When talking about abortion later in pregnancy, remind people of the common value that these decisions should be made in the medical setting with medical experts, not by politicians.
  • Since people hold different views on when and the circumstances under which abortion should be allowed, reinforce the shared belief that everybody's lives and personal circumstances are unique and they are best situated to make their own medical decisions.

It's personal

People agree that the decision to have an abortion is personal and no one else should have a say in that decision, especially the government.

• Abortion bans do not reflect what people want from their government. Most people do not want the government interfering in the decision about whether to have an abortion. They believe the decision should be left to a patient and their doctor, not politicians.
  • Ground your conversation in the values of power and control over our own bodies and freedom, especially when speaking with audiences you want to take action.
• Talk about how laws that ban or restrict abortion are about power and control over our bodies and decisions.
• Point out the hypocrisy and raise questions about why lawmakers force people to carry pregnancies while actively opposing policies that help families thrive.

Just the facts

Show, don't tell. Use facts and be specific. Don't exaggerate or use hyperbolic language.

• When speaking about abortion laws, provide 2-3 specific examples of what a law does.
  • Use numbers whenever possible — like how many states have banned abortion or how many people will be affected.
  • If the law you're talking about was pushed through in the dead of night or made without much public input, call it out.

How to talk about abortion care at Planned Parenthood health centers

It's about our values

Talk about why Planned Parenthood health centers provide abortion care, anchoring the conversation in our values and the importance of providing this care.

• People, including supporters, know very little about why providing abortion care is essential to Planned Parenthood's mission, or about the patient-centered way abortion care is provided by Planned Parenthood health centers.
• So let them know it's about our values — our belief that every person should get care that gives them power over their own lives.

How we care matters

Remind people that Planned Parenthood health centers' abortion care is: unbiased, compassionate, non‑judgemental, and high quality.

• Talk about how Planned Parenthood health centers provide abortion care to show that high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered approach.

Providers at Planned Parenthood health centers are experts

Talk about the training and expertise of the doctors and clinicians who provide abortions.

Tips

• Don't use euphemisms instead of saying abortion
• Use "abortion later in pregnancy"
• Use gender-neutral or inclusive terms such as "people" or "women, trans and non-binary people," when talking about abortion

Remember, we can't win back our rights if we stay silent. Having meaningful conversations like these with people in your life who have differing views get us closer and closer every day with each mind, and heart, we change.

Want to learn more about abortion and sexual and reproductive health? We’ve got you covered! Head over to plannedparenthood.org/learn for more information.

Use Instagram? Save this handy toolkit on your phone so you can pull up tips for reference when you need them.