The question could also be phrased: Do you trust women?

And men consistently say: No.

That's why I ask the question. I have four children, two grandchildren, and my tubes are tied. I've never had an abortion. And I hope I'd never have to.

Beliefs about abortion is not at all the point of the question.

The question, for me, gets to the deeply held beliefs a man holds about women in general.

If you are someone who believes a woman would abort an otherwise healthy fetus in the third trimester, without dire extenuating circumstances, you truly do not think much of women in general. And if you believe you could make that decision for her (or that politicians should), having no knowledge about those extenuating circumstances, you are not a person I could be involved with.

The way the question itself causes a visceral reaction generally gets to the root of your belief system far more accurately than simply saying - Do you trust women? Do you believe they will make good choices for themselves and their lives?

It's actually a very effective screening question for that reason.