Capitalism:

Big Abortion Thrives Under Capitalism

Our current economic system pits pregnant people against their children. It reinforces the idea that people cannot survive under capitalism, while proposing no real solution to ensure all lives are protected. We as a society use abortion as a catch-all solution. Abortion does not disappear societal problems; it disappears human beings.

Poverty:

The Guttmacher Institute, a research institute that has worked closely with abortion providers for decades, reports that 73% of pregnant people cited poverty or financial hardship as the reason for choosing abortion. It’s also been reported by Gallup that economically underprivileged people are significantly less likely to identify as pro-choice than those who make an annual income of $75,000 or more. 

Eugenics-minded ideology and pressure from abortion providers are to blame for this discrepancy. Former and current providers have testified that they assumed a pregnant person automatically wanted an abortion if they presented certain factors that made them more likely to face financial challenges; some of these “factors” are clear examples of racial profiling, ableism, and xenophobia. Providers then weaponize fear to convince pregnant people they will be unable to survive financially while trying to care for another person, and offer no alternatives except abortion.

In turn, governments and institutions benefit by following the “cheaper option”. When considering federal or state funding for abortion, politicians have argued that it’s more expedient to push abortion than to spend more time and resources on economic reform that would help economically underprivileged people. Pro-choice activists have also tried encouraging people to support abortion because “the state pays more to help these families [who have not chosen abortion]”; in other words, abortion is framed as the better option, not out of concern for health or safety, but because of the benefits to capitalism. 

Economic Exploitation:

Abortion is a lucrative business. It costs more than most other surgeries, and are often overpriced by clinics. Abortion-providing facilities also receive plenteous donations from individuals & institutions, which in turn depend on the Abortion Industrial Complex to advance. In interviews, facility staff applaud the work they accomplish because of the high salaries.

For this reason, abortion is managed as a product expediently sold rather than a procedure done well. Providers have cut corners in procedures, knowingly endangering pregnant people, to save money. Larger providing companies, such as Planned Parenthood, refuse to build clinics in rural areas because they won’t receive as much business there. Former patients have testified that clinics overcharged them for abortions, often refusing poor clients if they could not afford the procedure. 

Pregnancy-Based Discrimination:

For decades, capitalists have coerced their workers into abortion by threatening to fire them or significantly reduce their pay. This cruel practice allows for the continued societal stigmatization of people who can get pregnant both broadly and in the workplace. On-campus healthcare centers in both high schools and higher education often receive funding or materials from abortion providers, creating a business partnership in which pregnant students are the currency. Students have also sued schools for removing scholarships and other financial aid solely because they are pregnant. 

Abortion also enables a complete lack of pregnancy accommodation policies in the workplace and education institutions. When abortion is available, especially when used coercively, it creates the perception that there is a far smaller need for supportive pregnancy policies, such as paid family leave, on-campus housing support, and improved institution healthcare policies. 

Partner Abuse and Gender-Based Violence:

Abusers and traffickers alike rely on abortion to “dispose of the evidence” of abuse, and allow said abuse to continue. Up to 64% of people reported being coerced into abortion, and a Guttmacher Institute study concluded that pregnant people “with abusive partners are substantially over-represented among abortion patients”. Abortion dispenses abusers and traffickers from the responsibility of supporting children, and returns their victims to an “unpregnant” state so they can be continually used. 

Abortion providers have refused to help in cases of abuse or trafficking, despite being required to do so by federal law. There are many instances of pregnant people informing clinic staff that they are being abused or trafficked; patients see this as their last resort to seek help away from their abuser. Clinic staff have not only ignored the cries for help, but have often offered to help cover up the abuse, especially that of minors. They have also allowed abusers to accompany victims into appointments and procedures. 

Abortion providers have also benefited from promotion or funding from high-profile abusers - Hugh Hefner, R. Kelly, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein, to name a few. Since the time that these abusers have been exposed for their heinous crimes, there has been no statement or efforts from providers to apologize for their collaboration. Abortion is needed by abusers to continue their gruesome habits, and by providers to benefit from the abuse. 

Reproductive Racism:

Since before its legalization to today, pregnant people have been targeted for abortion because of their race, ethnicity, or immigration status. Many BIPOC patients have recalled clinic staff automatically assuming that they wanted an abortion, even before providing counseling on pregnancy options. A former Planned Parenthood worker also attested being instructed to only offer abortion funding to clients over the phone who “sounded ‘hood’ or ‘ghetto’”: an obvious example of racial profiling. Guttmacher Institute themselves admitted that “racism and discrimination” contribute to the number of pregnant BIPOC who ultimately choose abortion. 

This weaponization of abortion against BIPOC and their children is founded on historic, racist roots. Pro-choice authors have argued that BIPOC would be “problem parents” if they didn’t decide to abort, relying on stereotypes and false narratives to support their claim. Others choose to tokenize BIPOC in the pro-abortion narrative, or exclude them altogether. The argument that BIPOC need abortion for empowerment is steeped in a white, capitalist-centered lie. 

Ableism:

Abortion has also been used against people with disabilities. Disabled pregnant people have been encouraged to abort, and told they should not have children. Healthcare centers (both abortion-providing and not) have used faulty testing to pinpoint the likelihood of disabilities in pre-born children, pressuring parents to abort rather than offer treatments and other aid. Heads of leading abortion facilities and other advocates have attested to their own ableism, saying they prefer that people with disabilities don’t exist. 

People are constantly bombarded with the message that the disabilities they have should be eradicated at all costs, even if it means the cost of their lives. By default, abortion endorses the narrative, and gruesomely puts it into action.

Divest from Big Abortion and Invest in People  

Divestment is a campaign tool that is used to break money ties from industries and groups that propagate violence and discrimination. Movements such as the campaign to end apartheid in South Africa, environmental justice, and restorative justice have all used (and continue to use) divestment as an activism strategy. 

We commit to implementing divestment against the Abortion Industrial Complex in all its forms. We are divesting our money, time, and cooperation from any individuals, institutions, special interest groups, and government systems that contribute to abortion on demand. They must no longer benefit from the oppression and destruction of countless people. 

It’s time for all people to be empowered, together, without relying on redistributed oppression to function. Capitalism is a broken system that cannot sustain this demand. For that reason, we commit to supporting in the life-affirming solutions that answer the complex issues facing pregnant people, including: 

Safe and Affordable Housing:

In order to have a right to life, we must have a right to the necessities of life, such as housing. PAAU believes that no person should be left without a house. Shelter is a necessity as it protects people from the elements. 

Access to Clean Water and Food:

No one can thrive without clean nourishment. People should have safe places to find affordable food and water. We back community-based systems that distribute food, water, and other nourishment to people in urban and rural areas across the country. 

Comprehensive Healthcare:

Medicare for all and other single payer health care systems have a significant effect on the ability of people to feel comfortable carrying their baby to term. We support efforts to make healthcare for all accessible, affordable, and affirming for all lives involved. 

Financial Freedom from Abusers:

Abuse cycles continue with abortion and those who enforce it. People to have financial freedom in order to escape abusers, end the cycle, and live well. We uplift networks and groups that help folks not only escape, but help them adjust to life free from abuse.  

Pregnancy and Postpartum Education:

Pregnant and parenting people, especially BIPOC, aren’t offered the information they need to confidently care for their own health and raise their children. In recent years, women’s health and mutual aid centers have stepped up to the challenge, providing affordable to free classes & supplies to parents and families. We advocate for centers like these that exist presently, as well as for the creation of more like them, to continue this beneficial work. 

Community-Based Action Against Discrimination:

Many do not directly address situations in which they’ve been harmed or discriminated against because they feel they will not have the support or resources to make change. We promise to ally with individuals and groups answering the call for aid, holding the individuals or institutions responsible for the harm they’ve caused.

Through divestment and simultaneously investing in pregnant people and life affirming solutions, we can create a world where everyone can thrive in safe & sustainable communities from conception to natural death.