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Has this ever happened to you?
You're at a gathering over the holidays, and conversations fall into arguments — especially with that one family member.
It can feel awkward or stressful, especially if you're unsure what you should say. If the conversation turns to abortion rights, we want to make sure you're ready.
Here's our guide to talking about abortion this holiday season (or really any season):
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So you have to talk about abortion...
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They say: There are a lot of other issues going on in the world. Why is it so important for people to have access to abortion care?
You say: Abortion bans can impact me and the people we love. It's about who has power over your body, who has the authority to make decisions for you, and who can control your future. We can all agree that everyone should have the freedom to control their own body and life. And this includes the decision to have an abortion.
They say: "Why should I care about groups like Planned Parenthood?"
You say: Planned Parenthood health centers provide compassionate, high‑quality care for everyone, no matter what. Many people rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for care like STI testing, family planning, and birth control — especially women, people with low incomes, and other communities who face barriers to accessing health care.
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They say: "Abortion is safe in our state. A national ban won't affect us."
You say: What the federal government — including the White House — does affects everyone, no matter what state you live in. Just one example: Lawmakers could try to make medication abortion impossible to get nationwide. And half of abortions in the U.S. are medication abortions.
They say: "Isn't this just an issue for states to figure out?"
You say: "State bans have ripple effects. They drive doctors out, force people to cross state lines for care, and hurt other kinds of reproductive care."
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They say: "I think we should ban abortion."
You say: "I believe the decision to have an abortion should be between a person and their doctor. At no point in pregnancy is a lawmaker more qualified to make decisions about someone's health more than them and their health care providers."
They say: "What's wrong with bans on abortion as long as they have exceptions? I feel like that's a reasonable compromise."
You say: "Exceptions do not work because there are too many circumstances where a person may need an abortion but not be able to get one. For example, we know people may have miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, preeclampsia, or other unpredictable situations in pregnancy where abortion care is needed and can't be obtained. Abortion bans, even with exceptions, could harm our loved ones and make life-saving care inaccessible.
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They say: "I just don't think we should support abortion. It goes against my values."
You say: "I'm not saying that you have to support abortion, I'm saying that everyone should have the right to make that decision for themselves. Each person's circumstances are different, and each pregnancy is unique. We don't have to always agree about abortion, but we can agree that every person deserves to make their own personal medical decisions."
They say: "I don't get why people need to get abortions anyway! Can't people just use birth control?"
You say: "Abortion is a deeply personal decision, and there are many different reasons someone would need an abortion. At the end of the day, every pregnancy is unique, and every individual's personal decision about their pregnancy should be respected and valued."
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