In the midst of the abortion debate in the U.S., there are companies speaking out in favor of its legalization more strongly than ever.
Tinder and abortion
Tinder, and its parent company Match Group, have been promoting abortion for years, especially since the overturning of Roe vs Wade, by the US Supreme Court in 2022, which limited the legality of abortion in some states. It does so through different initiatives such as covering the travel expenses of its employees to have an abortion in a state where it is legal or through the signing of Don’t Ban Equality Statement, where more than a thousand companies have publicly positioned themselves in defense of abortion with advertising campaigns and justifying the economic impact of outlawing abortion.
However, at New York Fashion Week, Tinder has spoken out more clearly than ever, through a collaboration with the clothing brand AREA, launching a T-shirt called “Bans off our bodies” denouncing the illegality of abortion. To do so, it has also donated $25,000 to Planned Parenthood in honor of the campaign.
Right after the fashion show, its Marketing Director spoke about the campaign in an interview for TeenVogue, explaining how the illegality of abortion directly affects the company’s business.
Tinder, conducted a study with the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, and found that 87% of single people said that their attitude and dating behavior had changed after the abortion decision was overturned, directly impacting the activity and interaction of users of the social dating network. For example, following the repeal of Roe v. Wade, 15% of users under the age of 50 on the platform are afraid of post-relationship pregnancy, 11% suffer from nervousness or anxiety during the act, or that 14% of users highlight having fewer sporadic relationships than before the repeal.
We see, therefore, that Tinder’s support for abortion is not merely an ideological issue, but primarily there is a purely economic interest since the protection of the unborn, translates directly into less use of their dating app.
How should Catholic investors react to this?
As Catholic investors, it is essential that we align our financial decisions with the values of our faith. In a world where corporations increasingly influence cultural and ethical norms, we must ensure that our investments do not inadvertently support initiatives that conflict with Catholic teachings. For example, if a company actively promotes practices contrary to the sanctity of life or human dignity, it is our responsibility to reconsider our involvement with them. Financial returns are important, but for faith-driven investors, these cannot come at the cost of compromising core beliefs.
This ethical approach requires that we go beyond merely analyzing a company’s financial performance. We must dig deeper to understand its policies, corporate culture, and the social impact of its practices. Does the company engage in activities that contribute positively to society? Does it uphold values that align with respect for life, the common good, and stewardship of creation? These are questions Catholic investors must consider, not just as stewards of wealth but as guardians of moral integrity.
In making these considerations, it becomes clear that Catholic investors have a unique role in the marketplace. We are called to witness our values, ensuring that our financial resources are used for the betterment of society and in service of human dignity. This perspective might involve avoiding companies that, for instance, support abortion, exploit labor, or disregard environmental responsibilities.
For those seeking guidance, in Altum Faithful Investing we give the the investment guidelines so your activities does not interfere with you core principles. Faithful Investing goal is not just to follow the Catholic Church investing guidelines, but also financial reward and optimization.
