Being pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion.

Deciding to not publicly condemn those who’ve had an abortion or not publicly endorsing taking away a woman’s right to choose doesn’t mean that the person is promoting or *agrees* with abortion.

I don’t broadly speak about abortion on the TL because of how sensitive and complex the subject is. It’s something that needs to be discussed, definitely, but done so on a relational level with empathy and compassion.

If I was considering abortion or had had one and saw it discussed in the manner it is on the timeline, I’d be left confused, hurt and condemned. I wouldn’t feel like I could come to God, tbh.

I’m a therapist for a woman who had an abortion decades ago who is still working through the guilt and condemnation she continues to feel due to *how* abortion was discussed to her by those in her Faith.

I have a friend whose parents made her get an abortion when impregnated at an early age who was traumatized by it. I remember her talking to me about it when we were 14 years old.

I knew a girl in 6th grade who was impregnated with twins. TWINS. She pushed through and birthed them...in 6th grade. 1st year of MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I know of a 9 year old who had been impregnated and the family wasn’t sure what to do.

The topic of abortion isn’t something simple we should feel we can freely talk about down the TL in a black and white matter of fact tone. People’s lives and hearts are deeply invested. People have endured traumas we know nothing about. Let’s be more sensitive.

And please, just because I don’t talk about something publicly, please don’t assume that I don’t advocate or discuss these things offline.

My family has actually spoken with women considering abortions and helped them find alternatives. Those children are teens and adults today.

Don’t condemn people. Talk to them. Help them find their way and The Way.

PS. When my mom was in social work, she had a preteen who was raped by her dad and impregnated.

How do you handle situations like these? How do you approach that 11 year old and other girls/women like her?

The topic of abortion must be handled with care on a relational level.