Can Pro Choice and Pro Life Advocates Find Common Ground? Pittsburghers Weigh In

PITTSBURGH – Abortion is a topic that has long been debated around the world. With Roe v. Wade being overturned in June 2022, the issue is more prominent than ever. Abortion being legal in Pennsylvania makes the issue more complex amongst Pittsburghers, due to the variety of people and beliefs that are held throughout the city. 

Emmett Granto, 24, a South Side resident, believes that the two groups can find common ground. “I’d like to think so, I mean, I'm sure there’s something they can agree on,” he said. 

In 2022, The Survey Center on American Life reported that 58 percent of Americans believe there is common ground found in the debate, while the remaining 40 percent disagreed. This survey also established that abortion is a “complicated and complicated and complex issue, and they largely reject legal and moral absolutes” (Bowman et al., 2022).

After the Supreme Court decision in June 2022 to overturn Roe V. Wade, Duquesne University issued a statement which stated “We recognize that the Supreme Court's decision today may have a significant range of impacts on our students, faculty and staff. The University will address their needs with compassion and action rooted in our commitment to service and care” (Duquesne University’s Official Statement On the U.S Supreme Court’s Decision on Roe V. Wade). 

While Duquesne is a Catholic institution, many students and faculty have similar opinions on the topic. Bob Healy, 41, a Duquesne University media professor, states “I don’t believe pro-lifers and pro-choicers can find common ground… One side is 100 percent absolute, while the other has wiggle room, so I do not think there is common ground there.” 

Amanda Eadie, a junior at Duquesne University, also believes the two groups are not able to find common ground. “I think that nowadays people are too stubborn in their ways to be flexible to even look at another opinion,” she said. 

Samantha Bybel, also a junior at Duquesne, agrees with Eadie, stating “If people were raised a certain way and grew up thinking that, getting them to consider another option is not gonna work” 

However, some Pittsburghers disagree and believe that there is common ground to be found between the two groups. 

“I do think they can find commonalities. We’re all human, we can use that as a starting point” said Claire Christ, 19, who stated she went to protest the overturn of Roe V. Wade in Washington, DC two summers ago.

Sammi Heiser, 29, a Bath and Body Works employee, also agrees that it is possible, but under different circumstances.“I think yes, but only in a perfect world. The discussion is too intense right now for there to be any common ground found” she said.

Some Pittsburghers, though, have a much more pessimistic stance, believing that the debate comes down to morality. 

Jackson Sonnhalter, 20, states that “Pro-lifers and pro-choicers will never be able to find common ground because it's more than a political and a religious thing; it is morality.” The real estate agent continues by saying “People have been stuck in their ways for too long, and our generation is going to be the paradigm shift.” 

Regardless though, Pennsylvanians believe it is a touchy subject that is very nuanced. Loren Maratta, 21, a University of Pittsburgh student, states "I feel like it is a very emotional movement, people care a lot about it so they are less willing to hear the other side."

With strict abortion bans occurring throughout the country, Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, stays strong in his stance of keeping it legal throughout the state. In April 2023, he said "As your Governor, I believe decisions on reproductive care are to be made between women and their doctors, not extremist politicians or radical court rulings. Let’s be clear: this Texas judge’s attempt to restrict access to medication abortions is just another attack on a woman’s right to choose. This is about protecting our freedoms, and I won’t back down from that fight."