I want to talk about abortion and men. When I say “men,” I mean people who identify as cisgender men, the ones who never need to worry about an unplanned pregnancy.
I’m talking to those of you who might assume abortion rights are someone else’s fight.
But here’s the truth: abortion access has probably shaped your life. According to a 2022 Pew Research Poll, 59% of Americans know someone who has had an abortion—51% of those surveyed being men.
Your wife, sister, friend, past partner—someone you have cared about—has had an abortion. Someone you know will need one in the future. The question isn’t whether you’ll be affected; it’s whether you’ll be the kind of man who stands up for them.
Let’s talk about what’s really at stake for men when abortion access disappears—and let’s also shed light on the hypocrisy of men who claim to be anti-abortion but have secretly paid for them in private.
Men Already Benefit From Abortion
Abortion has always been part of men’s lives, even if they refuse to admit it.
Men have supported partners through abortion decisions, or they’ve walked away and left someone to handle it alone. Some have been relieved to avoid a life-altering responsibility. Some have felt sadness. Some have felt nothing at all. What’s consistent is that abortion has given men the ability to make choices about their own futures—just like it has for women.
And yet, some of those same men will stand in a voting booth and cast a ballot against abortion rights. Some will sit at family gatherings and stay silent while a relative spreads misinformation.
Some will call themselves “pro-life” in public but pay for an abortion in private. We’ve heard about politicians, pastors, and public figures who rail against abortion until the moment they need one for a mistress, an intern, or their own child.
Public figures in the anti-abortion movement don’t actually believe abortion should be illegal. They believe it should be illegal for other people.
Forced Birth Reshapes Men’s Lives
Let’s set aside the political arguments for a moment. Think about what happens when abortion is no longer available.
- If a man isn’t ready to be a father, but abortion is illegal, his financial and emotional future changes overnight.
- If a man’s partner experiences a pregnancy complication, but the hospital refuses care, he may be forced to watch her suffer—maybe even die—while doctors wait for legal clearance to act.
- If a man’s sister, daughter, or friend is in a state with an abortion ban, he may have to find a way to help her leave, knowing she could face prosecution for something that should be a private medical decision.
When men pretend abortion bans won’t affect them, they ignore the consequences that ripple outward from forced pregnancy.
Men who stay silent now will eventually feel the impact. The only question is when.
Allyship Means More Than Just Agreeing
If you believe abortion should be legal, saying so in private conversations is not enough. Men’s silence has allowed the most extreme voices to dominate this conversation. That silence needs to end.
What Men Can Do Right Now
- Educate Yourself and Others. Understand the issues surrounding reproductive rights and engage in informed discussions. Resources like Men4Choice offer educational materials to help men become effective allies.
- Donate to Abortion Funds. Financial contributions to your local abortion fund provide direct support to individuals seeking abortion care, making care more affordable and covering expenses like transportation and lodging.
- Join Advocacy Groups. Participate in organizations like Men For Equity and Reproductive Justice (MERJ), which focus on mobilizing men to support reproductive rights.
- Engage in Conversations: Discuss reproductive rights with peers to normalize the conversation and reduce stigma. Men4Choice emphasizes the importance of men talking to each other about abortion rights.
- Participate in Activism: Attend rallies, volunteer for pro-choice organizations, and support political candidates who advocate for reproductive rights. Active involvement demonstrates a commitment to the cause.
Abortion Rights Are a Men’s Issue
Abortion bans create a system where pregnancy itself becomes a form of surveillance and punishment. They force parenthood on people who are not ready, willing, or able to raise a child. They trap families in cycles of poverty, erase futures, and dismantle autonomy.
The Center for American Progress highlights that abortion bans in 27 states harm women’s economic security and, by extension, the well-being of their families. Meanwhile, the Joint Economic Committee of Democrats in Congress estimates that abortion bans will cost the American economy $68 billion a year.
Men do not have the luxury of detachment. This fight for essential human rights is happening now. The only question is whether you’ll stay silent—or stand up for reproductive freedom now.
