Amid the encouraging hype surrounding the new pro-life film “Unplanned,” I’ve seen a lot of posts urging women to take their teen daughters to see the movie, which tells the true story of Planned Parenthood director-turned-pro-life champion, Abby Johnson. After watching the film, however, I feel compelled to explain why it’s important that men see this movie, too.
Many women will find this movie highlights truths about the female experience — the heartaches, fears, aspirations and joys that come with being a woman. But I believe this will resonate with men in a different way by enriching their understanding of women, pregnancy and motherhood, equipping them to more effectively advance the pro-life cause.
Men are vital to this cause. Too many men have believed the feminist lie that protecting and defending women means protecting their “right” to kill their precious children. “Unplanned” exposes this lie in a powerful way.
As a male colleague of mine noted, so many women might not get to the doors of a Planned Parenthood clinic if their babies’ fathers had offered support and encouragement, taking equal responsibility for the care of their unborn children. Men are uniquely gifted with the inclination to protect and defend, but these days, too few men seem to understand what or who it is they’re fighting for.
By exposing the devastating reality of abortion, “Unplanned” shatters the pro-abortion camp’s attempts to dehumanize the child in the womb with the rhetoric of “compassion,” “freedom” and “choice.” Abortion is not a women’s issue — it is a human rights issue. The more men who understand this and embrace the pro-life cause as their own, the stronger the movement becomes.
Pro-Life Movie ‘Unplanned’ Makes Stunning Debut at Box Office
As I watched “Unplanned,” it struck me how utterly heartbroken my dad would be if he were there watching it with me. My mom would be, too, but for men, who can’t physically carry a child, the act of abortion hits home in a different way. When confronted with the grim truth about abortion, men’s innate desire to protect the vulnerable morphs into immeasurable grief and even outrage: How could a civilized society allow this? How could I, as a man, allow this? The moral impact these questions have on the male soul is immense.
If you have teenage sons, I cannot encourage you enough to take them to see “Unplanned.” It’ll be tough — it’s not an easy film for anyone to watch — but the conversations it will spark, and the effect it will have on their hearts will be worth it.
This film has the potential to permanently shape the way our sons view women and unborn children. In a society that constantly objectifies women and devalues masculine strength, “Unplanned” exposes unmistakable truths about the dignity of human life and the role we can all play in defending it.
The pro-abortion camp gains strength by dividing men and women, but the pro-life movement affirms the truth that we are stronger when we work together. Men of all ages need to be armed with the truth so they can be warriors in the fight for future generations. So take everyone — especially your sons — to see this crucial film.