My own anecdotal experience of women who have had unplanned babies is the same as yours, but I have met many women who have had abortions and regretted their choice. Even if they were "pro-choice" before their abortion, having aborted a child and faced the reality of what they did made them change their minds or at least feel very burdened with guilt by their decision. Having been very active in the pro-life community for years, I was surprised to find out that many of those involved in the movement had experienced abortions and now regretted their decisions. Of course there were the hardcore abortion advocates who continually justified their decisions, but most women are not proud of their decisions to abort their children. Deep down they know the truth. For a very large percentage, the free “choice” was not truly free. They felt pressured into it by boyfriends, husbands, parents, and abortion providers.
“For a very large percentage, the free “choice” was not truly free. They felt pressured into it by boyfriends, husbands, parents, and abortion providers.”
I think there are probably more who regret it than will admit. There is huge cultural support for abortion, and that support is not all positive (in the reinforcement sense of the word). A typical young woman saying she is pro life to her friends takes some guts. She will be shamed in many cases. Even more than boyfriends, husbands, providers, and parents, there is the culture. The culture tells young women that children are a horrible burden. It also tells them that they MUST have a career, and that a child will mean that they can’t. The career is everything, and all other things that could interfere with it must be put aside. It’s a very sick culture.