A father has spoken movingly about the “sea of pain” he experienced after his child was aborted.
Writing for the Telegraph, Tony Perry stressed that abortion is a “choice that has an impact on men as well as women”.
He was responding to an article by Daily Mail columnist Bel Mooney, where she described her decision to have an abortion as “no big deal”.
Effects
Tony wrote, “for many, abortion is a big deal that can leave regrets long after that choice is made. It is also a choice that has an impact on men as well as women”.
He added: “Perhaps the general assumption is that abortion doesn’t really affect men. Perhaps I would have shared that assumption had I not lived through it myself.”
He described his relationship with a woman several years ago which resulted in an unexpected pregnancy.
Hurt
Tony tried to persuade her to keep their child, but she said it was her choice and that she wanted to have an abortion.
He spoke of his hurt at this saying: “Nothing can describe the profound sense of powerlessness that comes with watching someone terminate a life that you helped create.”
Tony continued: “I felt alone in a sea of pain, desperate to keep afloat.”
Anguish
He now has a wife, a son and another child on the way, but said: “At times, I can’t help but look into my son’s deep grey-blue eyes and wonder what his older brother or sister might have been like.”
Tony added: “Sadly, my story is not unique; other men have experienced the same anguish.”
He noted that men and women “both have a role to play in creating life and raising children”, concluding that: “Men should have a chance to be heard.”
Bereavement
Earlier this year three women said that they regret having an abortion many years after going through the experience.
Speaking to a national newspaper, Evelyn Rei, Amanda Brawn and Andrea Gilbertson recalled the moments preceding their abortions and the feelings of sorrow and bereavement they felt.
Describing her experience of having an abortion at 12 weeks, Amanda said: “I had no idea how bereft and guilty I’d feel”.
Choose Life
The Christian Institute is starting a new series focusing on abortion called ‘Choose Life’.
Over the next few weeks people will be sharing moving and deeply personal stories of how abortion affected them.