Broken Families: A Clear Path Toward the Legitimation of Abortion
September 3, 2025
Recent headlines report that U.S. abortion numbers have climbed to their highest level in over a decade – reaching 1.14 million procedures in 2024, up from 1.05 million in 2023—countering expectations following the Dobbs decision. Behind those numbers are women facing profound personal struggles, many of which began long before an unplanned pregnancy. For countless men and women, the decision is less about the present moment and more about scars from the past—growing up without stable, married parents, carrying the weight of broken families, and struggling to believe in the permanence of love. When family itself feels fragile, the gift of new life can feel just as uncertain.
According to a study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who undergo repeated abortions are more likely to have experienced childhood adversity. While women often cite a range of reasons for choosing abortion, this deeper underlying factor might subtly influence their decision, perhaps without their full awareness.
