LETTER: Men's role in the abortion debate

SIR – I am responding to a letter to your paper (Feb 3rd).  I am so glad someone has addressed the role of men in the abortion debate. They have equal involvement after all as co-creator of the baby.

There are many men who pressure woman into having an abortion through active pressure of simply withdrawing their support. 

The 2017 health report by Dr Greg Pike says ‘coercion and pressure are well-established risk factors for women’s psychological adjustments to abortions.’  

If we remove the Eighth Amendment, this will leave the vulnerable women of Ireland, perhaps women who have been abused, open to worse pressure and coercion from men to have an abortion, as it becomes more widely available and culturally acceptable.

Also, by keeping the Eighth Amendment, we give the good men who care and want their child, so that they can love them, more power to encourage and support their partners to have their child. Surely good, protective and loving fathers deserve this much? 

Men are being pushed out of this debate by those who want to repeal the Eighth Amendment, being painted as brutes forcing a woman into a situation. The truth is that many ordinary men want to protect life and prevent harm – and they deserve to be heard.

Yours sincerely,

Frances Kelleher,

Killarney,

Co Kerry.