If you shared the news about your unexpected pregnancy with your partner, family, or friends, they more than likely have an opinion on what you should do. Everyone feels entitled to give their thoughts these days, whether you want them or not.

But how do you discern whether someone is just sharing their opinion or pressuring you? Emotional manipulation can come from a partner, family member, friend, co-worker, or anyone with a stake in your decision. 

Here are a few things to be aware of.

Do They Want You to Make a Quick Decision?

Insisting you make a quick decision is one way to manipulate you. The person pressures you to decide before you’ve had time to think it through. They may make an appointment for you at an abortion facility or insist on driving you there. They tell you that there isn’t time to discuss it.

Does It Feel Like Your Opinion Doesn’t Matter?

By dismissing your opinions, the person pressuring you makes your feelings seem unimportant. They might try to make you feel ignorant. Your opinions never have value. 

They dismiss your fears about abortion, so you begin to doubt yourself. The person putting pressure on you doesn’t want to discuss other options, only abortion. 

Are You Being Isolated From People With Different Opinions?

Another tactic is to isolate you from those who disagree that an abortion is best. Your partner might stop you from communicating with loved ones until you make the “right choice.” One family member may tell you not to talk with another.

Are You Being Blamed for the Pregnancy?

Although it takes two to become pregnant, your accuser blames you for letting it happen. They talk about themselves and how the pregnancy will affect them if you don’t choose abortion.

They want you to feel guilty for not considering their feelings or future. It’s all about them.

Do You Feel Like You Are Threatened Verbally?

Your partner tells you that he’ll break up with you or leave if you don’t have an abortion. Your parents threaten to kick you out of the house, and friends stop calling. 

Each threat encourages you to “make the right choice.” In other words, do what I tell you, and I will support you.

You Need to Be Safe

According to the March of Dimes, symptoms of abuse worsen during pregnancy. What you need to know is that no one can legally force you to make one pregnancy decision over another. 

You deserve to be respected and safe. If you feel physically or emotionally pressured to choose abortion, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233). You can also read the Warning Signs of Abuse on their website.

Anderson House Can Help You

You have more than one option, and the caring client advocates at Anderson House are ready to help you. 

Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, we can provide factual, medically based information about abortion procedures, the side effects to expect, and potential physical and emotional consequences.

We are not a child-placing agency, but we can provide you with information about adoption. It costs you nothing to place your child for adoption, and all of your medical and legal expenses are provided. 

You can select the couple who will adopt your child and determine the level of contact you wish to have with them. 

If you would like to learn more about the possibility of parenting, we can share available resources with you. We offer free educational classes, material support, and referrals for community services. 

Make an appointment at the Anderson House location nearest you. No one can legally force you to make one decision over another. Talk with us because we’re here for you.