A conversation around abortion and community | Josiah Friedman | TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- After interviewing hundreds of strangers about their unplanned pregnancies, Josiah believes the conversation surrounding abortion and unplanned pregnancy in America is fueling disconnection.
In a thoughtful talk guided by real stories, Josiah explores what we can do to build a culture of vulnerability that overcomes isolation and shame with real human connection.
Josiah Friedman is the founder and CEO of Voices for the Voiceless, the nonprofit cultural movement creating a world where every human life is valued and no one faces unplanned pregnancy alone. Josiah Friedman is the 25-year-old founder and CEO of Voices for the Voiceless, the nonprofit cultural movement creating a world where no one faces unplanned pregnancy alone. Every day, he works to equip partners, friends, parents, schools, medical professionals, and employers to support the people in their lives facing unplanned pregnancies. In 2018, Voices for the Voiceless content reached 1.4 million people on social media. A native Phoenician, Josiah studied political science and journalism at Arizona Christian University. He married his favorite person, Andrea, in 2017. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
I had two unplanned 'crisis' pregnancies. I let my children live and I don't regret it. I was disowned, homeless, judged and dealt with severe health complications, but my children survived and are healthy/ happy and my temporary problems ended and I recovered and so did my relationships. Stop telling women that can't, because they can.
👏👏❤❤Love this
BRAVO❤❤❤❤
Not all can, but I'm gald you wanted to and could.
@@ebbybell2404 literally about to comment this 😂
It's important to be realistic. Not everyone can. I'm really glad you were able to though, good for you. I know it's not easy
Barely married, my father said, if I became pregnant, I would be better off to abort because we don't have the place, the money to take care of a baby. Watch what you say to your kids!! Words matter!
If a man cannot abort his unborn child (e.g. by slipping a woman a so-called "safe" abortifacient) for an excuse like money then a woman shouldn't be able to either.
So I had an assignment on this topic my teacher gave me to do. She told all of us to watch this video and then ensure the questions she had for us about it. I found this video so inspiring and so true.
What a compassionate approach to an often divisive issue in our culture! Thank you, Josiah, and Voice for the Voiceless!
Your mom should not use her father's response to her brothers pregnancy as an example of what could have happened for her. A pregnant son is different than a pregnant daughter in the eyes of many.
This is what pro-lifers should focus on!! And not telling women they have to ''live with consequences of their acts'' or ''just give it up to adoption''. Women will go through unplanned pregnancies if they feel supported, and they'll abort if they're not, it's that simple.
Exactly!
There are many resources
You're right. I can tell you right now, if I was guaranteed support and love, I would go through with an unplanned pregnancy. If I was abandoned and alone, I would most likely choose an abortion. I can't do it by myself and so many people underestimate how difficult raising children is.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. My pro-life stance is what drove me to become a social worker, so I could help empower women with the practical resources and support system they need to be able to choose life. I want to help eliminate the root causes that drive women to abortion in the first place.
it's not as simple if you say it is. Some people support the the person who's getting an abortion but that doesn't make it right. Your choosing to get rid of a life.....
I am pro-choice, I believe abortion is a constitutional right. This Ted Talk did not change my views but i did enjoy every second. Clearly, this man has a solid grasp on some of the main issues facing women who choose abortion and instead of shaming them he empathized with them. The fact of the matter is no one enjoys abortion but for some people, it is the only option. I appreciate Josiah empathy and ability to unite people on a divisive issue. Well done.
It's not the only option... It's the convenient option. Women can turn to friends and family for help, go to pregnancy resource centers or even adoption agencies. Since we don't hear hundreds of thousands of stories of women being turned away from pregnancy resource centers after going in and begging for help we know that they don't try hard enough to save the life of their unborn child. They take the easy way out.
but not a moral right
Mathilde Young you can’t speak for the lives of all woman, nor should you narrow their choices because of your personal perspective. The choice to have abortion offered is a human right, the only thing you remove by denying that fact is safe, legal abortion. And no medical procedure is the easy option. Speak to woman who’ve been through it with an open mind and you may be surprised at what you find.
Tiff Q who are you to speak of another’s morals. I see the infringements of bodily rights a slight against morals. Would you also advocate for forced organ donation?
@@HelenaBlack80 Abortion infringes on the body of a young human being - that is why it should be illegal.
I’m devastated that this topic is causing such a divide, but I guess it’s necessary that it’s being talked about.
Even with loving support around her, she still may choose abortion--continue loving her. Thanks.
This is the top comment in my opinion.
I hope your talk reaches people and helps them think about this topic in a different way :) I'm always praying for Voices, and I'm so proud of the work y'all have accomplished
This helped me in my essay
Thank you! Never have I heard this topic discussed so candidly and sincere.
He ignores completely that fact that women and pregnancy are considered an inconvenience by society. When I was teaching and became pregnant with my second child, (I'm married, btw), their reaction was, "AGAIN?" My second child. Employers consider women a liability. Women are punished by society for the very vital act of producing life. We pay our own medical bills, face physical disability, damage and possible death, loss of pay and even maybe loss of our jobs. For this risk, we get nothing. There are some that say that we get a child's love and to those I would say that MAYBE we get a child and it is entirely possible to get a child's love without having to go through pregnancy. There is nothing that honors this sacrifice and plenty that gives pain, suffering, shame and financial peril. Change that. Have that conversation. Otherwise, you are simply making women out to be weak instead of systemically denigrated. And in regard to his mother's brother, I would remind him that a father will react to a son's "transgression" completely differently than he will to his daughter's. I can't think of a single young man who was kicked out of his house and disowned because his girlfriend became pregnant because if he had that kind of parent he would just tell them it wasn't his. In addition, I would like to know why he doesn't mention interviewing the fathers of aborted fetuses and what their feelings, thoughts and regrets are regarding those abortions. Or don't the fathers matter?
No woman makes her choice lightly. No couples make their choice lightly. Please respect people’s decisions. I know I’m not alone when I say I wish the world were perfect... but it isn’t. I know it can be difficult to understand, but when someone discloses their unplanned pregnancy to you, remember you aren’t the person whose life is utterly changed. You aren’t the person who has to live with such a heavy decision. But what you CAN do is be their friend and listen to them and support them, no matter what they decide to happen. They need you. They came to you for a reason, because they knew you wouldn’t judge them. I chose to support my friend because I knew she would do the same for me. And I don’t regret it. Please respect people’s decisions. They NEED YOU. Because it’s them against the world. If not you, then who is going to stand by them? Remember you are not alone. Spread the love, not the hate. God bless everyone to feel confident in making the best decisions for themselves and not regret them. Amen.
"respect people's decisions" - so if someone makes a decision to rob a bank, abuse a dog or kill their newborn we should respect that decision? What if they are broke and think their only CHOICE is to rob a bank - should we respect that CHOICE? Not all choices should be respected. Not all choices should be legal -- like the choice to kill an unborn child.
@@mathildeyoung1823 please, google bodily autonomy.
@@ave9559 I know what bodily autonomy is.... and there is no such thing as full bodily autonomy. Which is why we are allowed to have post viability abortion restrictions.Since we can have restrictions on abortion after viability and we now know an unborn child is a human being we should be able to have abortion restrictions before viability.
I will not respect a persons decision if said decision intentionally ended the life of an innocent human being.
Yes Thank you.
I'm so happy someone is talking about this.
I am the results of an unplanned pregnancy. My father was thrilled to find out there was a child coming my mother wasn't sure. She was pressed to have an abortion yet my father loved me and wanted me. Obviously I'm here :) I am for life. My sons know that I support them should they ever be in that situation and I will love them, their child and the mother of their child. Our culture needs to change from one of murder on an innocent child
But an embryo or foetus is not a child.... Every time I ovulate and don’t get pregnant, am I losing a child? No. Abortions are for the living, to help women make the choice for themselves not for the potential of life that might not be carried to full term anyway, through choice or nature.
@@mooooooodyy just don’t listen to her it is NOT murder. Don’t let someone push their beliefs on you. You make your own choice however you need to so you can stay safe and have a long prosperous life.🙂
@@Enterthe4rest definitely, it’s so sad to see people tear women down for protecting their life, the life that exists NOW, not the potential for life that doesn’t think/ feel yet.
@@mooooooodyy great response!!
I know this is a year old comment That’s a great out look I fully plan to do the same to my son/daughter in the future shame people abandon their girlfriends after finding out and are left to chose the other option 🥲 heartbreaking
What a great approach to a serious topic. Well done Josiah!
Wow, This was absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for your talk !
This story sounds lovely but it’s really just a long way to say that if we’re nice to women they won’t get abortions. The real message should be that we should support women to make the right decision for themselves and the correct support to truly make that decision for themselves and the knowledge that they will be supported no matter what they choose.
Killing a child is never a right decision for anyone
@@b4byheart726 you should be happy to learn they can only abort a fetus or less developed not children.
@@nicspits9876 you should be happy to learn that by definition a fetus is in deed a child.
Fetus - an unborn offspring of a mammal
Offspring - a person's child or children.
Please Don't Kill YOUR Baby
Thank you for telling your story.
Amazing. Thank you for speaking at our school.
Josiah, Thank you for sharing an amazing story!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍
You are wonderful .Beautiful message .
My perspective is different from Josiah's. I am over 85 years of age. Girls were getting pregnant back in the 50's and 60's and before. Their babies were allowed to live even with the fear of parent's learning about the pregnancies. Homes for unwed mother's existed during pregnancies. Roe v Wade made it possible for his mother's decision. The Roe decision created the division in this country.
No. There was an error on how people viewed those who had an unplanned pregnancy. It was shunned so the result was fear. Those same women were being mistreated and some even discarded. So the fix was to normalize the view of how woman are still human and they should be able to correct a mistake if necessary.
Abortion didn't divide, the division already existed and its up to us to understand that we need love to lessen such situations where someone makes a decision based on fear.
You’re a great son.
Fantastic talk Josiah! We must continue to create a Culture of Life across America. And that means fostering an unwavering support system.
So in conclusion: being a woman sucks lol
Absolutely love this!
Beautiful!! I love your sweet mom!!
Excellent!! Thank you.
Beautiful message!
When unplanned pregnancy arrives abortion is not the answer. Seek help and support so you can give yourself and that baby the life you need.
@Charlie Gascoyne A blade of glass? Please 😂 open an embryology book.
No. Don’t tell women what to do with their bodies because of your “beliefs”.
Absolutely beautiful support equals solutions
When I was a teenager I didn't want to have a boyfriend or anything like that; I wanted to study and to travel. I can't understand why you would want to be emotionally bonded and tied down at such a young age. Maybe it's because her dad was kind of awful she felt like connecting with someone else? But basically this is her dad's fault. Most abortions are a man's fault.
Women open their legs am I missing something
let's not assume who's fault it is. It takes two to have a pregnancy....
True
Y'all, no one knows of any woman's decision about family planning! Abortions happen, decisions on giving birth happen.
Amazing!!!
Being Pro-Choice is where people get support. It is everyone's responsibility to support a woman's decision to go through with abortion or pregnancy. Furthermore, the conversation is a lot deeper than this because we know when "pro-life" policies take hold, shame around abortion and childbearing are worse.
This was certainly inspired
Amazing talk. That said, we have to take a position on this matter not based on opinion but based on scientific fact...pro-abortion or anti-abortion. The child's life depends on it...if we are getting it wrong about the life of the fetus, the developmental stage of the human life. Sadly, we just don't know all the answers and politicians will decide what is best for politics. We all have a responsibility to speak for those who do not have a voice. This is not a religious issue.
And this is what my response was watching the video.
First things first, before he even started his speech, he went to interview 130 people on the street that had unplanned pregnancies and abortions.
The purpose of his speech is to help others think differently about unplanned pregnancy, and to help women going through this to not be alone. Josiah believes the conversation surrounding abortion and unplanned pregnancy in America is fueling disconnection.
The first step he said is we need to change the way we react to unplanned pregnancies. Second is we need to make it clear to the people in our lives that we are close to that we’ll be there for them when it matters. The third thing he said is by sharing our stories.
Yes 100% he has persuaded me. Everything he is saying is true including, abortion is a breakdown in community. if we are serious about empowering women to choose life we have to take a step to make it happen. I did not know that every year at least 400,000 women get abortions because they lack support. They get abortions because of relationships, and because they don't have the support of their partners, parents, friends, communities, medical professionals, and employers. Something he said that I agree on is immediately when we hear a teenager or person say they're pregnant the first thing we think of is how could you do this, and what you did was wrong and completely unacceptable. He tells us instead we should be supportive asking how can I help you, what do you need me to do, or ask them how are they feeling right now. I do not think one single word he said in his speech wasn't true, wasn't meaningful, powerful, and encouraging to be able to help others through this situation.
The opposing view if someone was debating the speaker on this issue is they think abortion is right. They think since the baby is not born yet it's totally fine for the woman to have an abortion. They care far more about the women's right then the babies’ right to live. They think it's the woman's body and it's her right to decide when and whether to have children. They believe it's OK for the women to have the ability to choose abortion as an option for an unplanned pregnancy. They believe since the woman is the one having the baby, and if she doesn't want to have it it's totally her choice.
Something that I would like to include is you don't have to be happy for the person that had an unplanned pregnancy. You can be supportive and helpful, while being frustrated and a bit disappointed that this happened. You are allowed to be shocked about all of this. You are allowed to give yourself time to process and figure this all out; both the person that is pregnant and their family members. My 18-year-old sister had some friends that ended up having an unplanned pregnancy. My sister was shocked to hear this; she knew that what they did wasn't right, but she was so supportive and helpful to them.
FACT the fallen angel cas dejs was the fallen angel that teached man how to destroy embryo's in the book of Enoch the 1st. Bible
Bravo!!!
Okay, I understand support is important, but you forgetting women who just dont want to be pregnant, have any children, now or the future. Why are we ignoring that? Some women don't have a wish, or desire for motherhood or pregnancy.
how in any way is murder right
agreed
It's not murder FFS, learn the difference between a blastocyst, a zygote, an embryo and a fetus.. none of them are remotely synonymous with a baby.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Killing a Human being
It’s a mother’s choice what happens with her child. Why do you care?
Straight up Murder
Abortion is a topic that brings up many ethical principles, including autonomy, and justice nonmaleficence. Abortion is something that a woman never wants to do, she doesn't go through life wishing it to happen. There are many circumstances that could lead a woman to need an abortion, whether it be the inability to care for a child, or the fact that her pregnancy is threatening her health, and possibly her life. There are many instances of pregnancy that can be life-threatening like a topic, pregnancies or other conditions that actually put the mother's life at great risk. There are also situations in which the fetus will not survive, or have a good quality of life and an example of this is Tay-Sachs disease, speaking of these situations and ethics we can talk about the idea of autonomy. So many lawmakers and government officials want to take away a woman's right to autonomy to decide what happens with her body, and what she can do with her body by not allowing women to have abortions and having the autonomy to choose so we are increasing the risk of backdoor, abortions, which are more dangerous for the woman and the fetus. Some may say that, by performing at a portion of physician is violating the ethical principle of beneficence, which says do no harm. However, it can also be argued that, by not allowing a woman access to an abortion, you could actually be inflicting more harm who is to say that the harm is a fetus should be lessened more than the harm of a living, breathing, intellectual woman. Another ethical principle to consider, when talking about abortion is nonmaleficence is the idea that you should refrain from actively inflicting harm, and should like actively do what is best for your patient. If you violate this principle, it could mean that you are inflicting harm on your patient. By not allowing a woman to have an abortion, we are inflicting harm on that woman, another ethical principle to consider as justice in which people basically have a right to what they deserve. Does a woman not have the right to choose what happens with her body?
keep\\abotion\legal
No.