New polling by Quinnipiac and Washington Post-ABC News and others shows a surprising number of women agree with banning abortion after 20 weeks gestation. News stories highlighting the gruesome and unscrupulous practices of abortionists such as Kermit Gosnell and Steven Brigham have been eye openers for many women. More and more women now see good reasons to support limits on abortion, and an even earlier limit than the 24 week line drawn by the Supreme Court.
Bottom line--women are becoming better informed. The wonders of ultrasound technology, the "window to the womb" as it pertains to pregnancy, has awakened many women also. This technology actually shows what previous generations intuitively knew--there is a little human in the womb. This image of the pre-born person undoes the lie that "it is just a blob of tissue" and shows it to be a little human with arms and legs and a beating heart. Now, science has shown that this little person can feel pain at 20 weeks gestation.
Advancements in technology and medical research in fetal development are empowering women to support unborn life and call for more restrictions on abortions. This knowledge is also helping women to think independently and assert opinions based on sound facts and convictions of conscience rather than adopting the ideology of so called "choice" that negates true choices representing alternatives to abortion.
Of course, this new polling and the ensuing discussion regarding the 20-week abortion ban have implications for both political parties. But women have more at stake than political fights. It is one thing to talk about political and social agendas and public policy as it relates to the general public. It is quite another to come to terms with the reality of inflicting pain or terminating the life of a little person within you.
As women gain increased access to the latest in medical and technological research, expect more courageous women to say yes to abortion restrictions.