Three Tips to Remember when Discussing Abortion

We have all been in a situation in which we find ourselves in a discussion, whether heated or casual, about abortion, and we feel completely unprepared. So what do you do in situations like this? ​ 1. Listen & Respect While facts, statistics, and debating tactics are certainly handy, they will do little to change someone's mind if you are loud, angry, and/or constantly interrupting the other person. It certainly isn't rocket science to understand that people will be more open to listening to our opinion if we listen and respect them. This idea is central to being pro-life because as the pro-life generation, we love and respect ALL humans from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. So the next time you are in a conversation, remember: the key to changing hearts and minds is establishing a relationship with our opponents based on love, respect, and a willingness to listen to understand. If you remember this, you won't be worrying about frantically searching your mind for that one statistic about abortions you heard randomly several years ago! 2. Be Honest If you begin to feel during a conversation that you are not equipped to answer your opponent's arguments or questions, don't fumble for a vague answer or make up an argument that you do not have the evidence to support. Simply state that you do not have the knowledge or skill to answer that question or pro-choice argument currently and ask if you can get in touch later when you have the answer. This will definitely impress your opponent more than a hasty, vague argument, which could lead him or her to be more open to listening. Plus, it opens up the door for more conversation later. 3. Learn from Your Mistakes It's okay to come out of a conversation feeling like you could have done way better, you were not getting anywhere, or you had no idea how to respond! We are human, and we all make mistakes. We can't possibly know how to respond to every single pro-choice argument in the world. And we cannot force a person to listen. So what can we do when we feel like we have failed? Reflect on the conversation you just had and try to learn from it. Was there a different way I could have responded in order that the person would be more open to listening? What arguments did I not have the answers to and where can I find the answer? Write down what you learned from the conversation, and then move on, without regret or worry. Remember that not every conversation will go perfectly and you are not going to change the minds of every person you meet. That's okay! In the end, remember that the truly important thing is to treat the other person with respect, humility, and love, no matter the other person's response, remembering that you are serving as an example of what it means to be pro-life.

Helen is a graduating high school senior with a strong passion for the pro-life movement. As the founder of The Pro-Life Generation, she hopes to help create passionate, informed leaders of tomorrow in order to create a culture of life. In her spare time, she also enjoys playing her violin, debating her faith and beliefs, and brushing up on her history and great books