Myth-Busting Monday: Are young people anti-abortion?

Every Monday EFC busts myths and takes names, cutting through the misinformation, disinformation, and straight up nonsense to bring you the facts.

Despite the fact that over 1 in 3 women in the UK will experience abortion during their lives, abortion is still talked about in hushed tones, if at all. When it is discussed in the media, it is either part of a dramatic soap opera story line or sensationalist headlines. As a result, many young people are not aware that it is a common, safe, or legal procedure. They are often surprised to hear that the myths they are familiar with are just that – myths (hence us bustin’ myths every Monday!).  Working with young people in classrooms since 1992, our experience is that once young people have an opportunity to consider the different circumstances women are in when facing a decision about abortion, they tend to be extremely empathetic. Most young people EFC works with are outraged at the idea that someone else would want to stop them making their own mind up about the issue or stop them making their own decision about their pregnancy. Even young people who say they would never choose abortion themselves or recommend it for their partner often agree that it should be the individual woman’s choice and no one else’s.