How To Live In The 21st Century

2. How does it fit with Compass’ core beliefs of equality, solidarity, democracy, freedom, sustainability and well being?

Many women have abortions not because they choose to, but because they feel like they have no choice. Crisis pregnancy centers reach out to women in need, providing services such as free pregnancy testing, sex education, free ultrasounds, maternity clothes, referrals for adoption, mentoring, and baby supplies. Women in crisis pregnancy situations deserve help and support; they need to feel like they really do have a choice. Freedom necessitates options and alternatives. To that effect, we need to give them other options besides abortion.

3. How does it build the institutions of social democracy, like social groups and collective and cooperative forms of ownership and control?

By providing women with a place they can go for support and advice in a time of great need. If they decide to parent their child, they can receive packages of supplies, which are often comprised of donated item. Donating gently used maternity clothes, baby clothes, and supplies reduces waste, and is a form of recycling, as well. Pregnancy help centers reach out to women and their children in local communities.

4. How much will it cost or raise and where will any cost come from?

Primarily private donations, but the government could also start giving monetary support to crisis pregnancy centers, as it does to Planned Parenthood. Pregnancy help centers are non-profit.

5. Which groups in the electorate are likely to support or oppose this measure? Is there any polling evidence you have on this?

This is an aspect of the abortion debate that both pro-choice voters and pro-life voters can agree on. Pregnant women need assistance, and crisis pregnancy centers are there to help them. Though I have no formal polling evidence to back up this claim, I believe that support for a program to help fund crisis pregnancy centers would have strong support from both the Republican and Democratic parties.

6. Is there a place or country where it’s worked? Please provide some information.

I am not aware of any countries that have federally funded crisis pregnancy centers.

7. What are the three main arguments in favour/against it?

Arguments for federal assistance to crisis pregnancy centers:

1. Provides resources for pregnant women in need.

2. Promotes freedom of choice by giving women more options.

3. Benefits the community by creating a place of support for pregnant women in need.