Life After Roe: A New Pro-Life Playbook

What Happened

The pro-life movement in America has entered a climactic phase, marked by a shift in strategy and messaging.

Following the Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, the movement has moved from a singular focus on restricting abortion to embracing a more comprehensive pro-family agenda.

This evolution reflects an awareness that winning hearts and minds requires addressing the challenges faced by mothers and families beyond the abortion debate.

Why it Matters

For decades, the pro-life movement has centered its focus and efforts on overturning Roe v. Wade. With abortion being the primary battleground. However, the Dobbs decision has fundamentally altered the legal landscape. It has given individual states autonomy in handling controversial topics.

Shifting the decisions from federal to state control has created a patchwork of different laws throughout the country. Some states choose to implement strict bans on abortion while others have expanded access to their residents. The shifting legal environment has led to pro-life advocates deciding to take a different approach.

Instead of focusing solely on abortion restrictions, many in the pro-life movement are shifting their focus to support families. This includes advocating for policies like paid family leave, affordable childcare, and increased funding for pregnancy resource centers.

By addressing the root causes that lead women to seek abortions — such as financial instability and lack of support — the pro-life movement presents itself as a compassionate alternative to the pro-choice narrative.

The pro-life's choice to soften its tone is in stark contrast to its approach in the past. This often drew criticism for relying too heavily on controversial tactics like graphic imagery and protests outside clinics. Today, many organizations prioritize a message of compassion and understanding, focusing on the well-being of both mother and child.

Groups like Students for Life of America and Heartbeat International have expanded their outreach. They offer material and emotional support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. These efforts aim to shift public perception, portraying the pro-life movement as one that values life in all its forms, not just the unborn.

The new pro-life playbook also seeks to mollify political divides by appealing to a broader audience. The movement has traditionally aligned with conservative values. But now it’s increasingly incorporating policies that resonate more soundly with moderates and even some progressives.

For example, pro-life advocates have begun to champion expanded Medicaid coverage for prenatal and postnatal care. It has increased investment in maternal health programs, which have traditionally had strong progressive support.

However, this new approach is not without its challenges. Some conservatives worry that expanding government programs undermines the movement's fiscal conservatism. However, proponents argue these measures are essential to creating a culture that truly supports life, both inside and outside the womb.

Public opinion remains deeply divided. Many Americans support some form of legal abortion, particularly in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother’s health. Additionally, pro-choice advocates have mobilized effectively at the state level. They have secured ballot initiative victories to protect abortion rights in traditionally conservative states like Kansas and Kentucky.

Yet, the pro-life movement also sees opportunities. The growing emphasis on pro-family policies aligns with broader cultural concerns about declining birth rates and the challenges facing working families.

By positioning itself as a champion of both unborn children and their mothers, the movement seeks to build a coalition that transcends traditional partisan lines.

The pro-life movement's shift toward a more comprehensive, pro-family agenda reflects a recognition that the battle for life extends beyond the courtroom and the legislature.

How it Affects You

The movement is making big changes and enduring the growing pains that come naturally with such changes. The movement’s willingness to adapt and evolve may prove to be its greatest strength.

By addressing the economic and social realities that influence abortion decisions, the pro-life movement is charting a new course. A course that seeks to build a culture of life through compassion, support, and unity.

In this new era, the pro-life movement isn’t just about opposing abortion. It’s about creating a society where every life, born and unborn, is valued and protected.