How do you know if someone is pressuring you into making one decision over another? 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 watch out for.
Are You Being Pressured to Make a Quick Decision?
Emotional manipulation comes with very little time to think about a decision. The person pressures you to decide before you’ve had time to think it through. In terms of an abortion decision, they may make the appointment for you and be waiting in the car to drive you to the clinic. There’s no time to resist the aggressor’s demands.
Are You Being Criticized for Feeling a Certain Way?
By dismissing your opinions, the person pressuring you makes your feelings unimportant. They might try to make you feel ignorant. No matter how hard you try to explain, your opinions never have value.
They immediately dismiss your fears or questions about abortion, so you begin to doubt yourself. The person putting pressure on you doesn’t want to discuss other options besides abortion.
Are You Being Threatened Emotionally?
Threats don’t have to be physical to be real. Someone can threaten you emotionally by bullying or constantly making critical remarks about your thoughts. The aggressor tries to make you look bad or feel inadequate about your choices. They may say, “Your views about abortion are not what intelligent people think.” Or, “No one is afraid to get an abortion. Why are you?”
The aggressor may even use “humor” to humiliate you in front of others. They may point out your appearance, background, faith, education, etc. Some people raise their voices as a form of emotional aggression. Although they don’t touch you, they may stand a certain way or use excited gestures to intimidate you.
Are You Only Hearing One Side?
It takes two to become pregnant. If the person pressuring you is blaming you totally for the unplanned pregnancy, it is a form of manipulation. Sometimes, the aggressor talks constantly about their happiness and how you are responsible for it. In their minds, your decision about the pregnancy should be based on their needs, not yours.
The aggressor may act like a victim. They stress your obligation to them to make you feel guilty for choosing anything other than what they want.
How Can Reach Out Help Me?
At Reach Out Pregnancy Center, we understand the difficult decision you face. We also want you to be safe. If you feel physically or emotionally threatened to make one choice over another, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also read the Warning Signs of Abuse on their website.
No one can legally force you to make a pregnancy decision. The choice is yours and yours alone. Although we do not perform or refer for abortion, the caring team at Reach Out can review all of your options with you, including abortion.
We are here for you and provide all our services, including consultations, at no cost. Come and talk with us. We gain nothing financially from your decision. Schedule a no-cost, confidential appointment today.