Every one of the multiple "hot button" issues of today, stem directly from a lack of this respect.  The denigration of our youth sexually; witness the content of the music videos, "teen publications", movies, lyrics, clothing advertisement(i.e. A&F) and at its root is a lack of respect for the sacred nature of the gift - life.

Education?  Very hot of late.  Problems aplenty.  Why?  The traditional family unit has been systematically dismantled.  Lack of respect for each other.  Out of wedlock pregnancy is the norm, divorce is commonplace.  

We have become a narcissistic society with  ME at its center and a "how can I feel good and get more irrespective of the fallout" attitude.  Witness the world of sports and business.  Players get fined daily for adolescent stunts in an effort to grab more money and publicity; these are our children's role models and heroes?  Business "leaders"  think nothing of unethical and immoral practices, not because the laws do not restrict this behavior, rather that the political framework has created a fertile bed for "favors" and malfeasance..  Fallout indeed.

Crime, greed, violence?  How could any of these things be present at the level they are if we respected our lives and the life of others as a gift and sacred?  

You are correct, abortion, (as gruesome, vile and contemptible as it is) is not the issue.  It is a symptom of a problem . Teen sexuality/pregnancy, STD's that are rampant, depression and suicide are all by products of a society that has jettisoned its moral compass and headed for the abyss, all this because we do not care anymore.  

We have no respect for life.   You reap what you sow and our fields are barren.  They will continue to remain desolate until we grasp the simple truth that life is sacred.

This will require selflessness, a servile attitude and compassion.  

It can no longer be about how this will; "screw up my future" or "you are on the pill, don't worry, let's go!" or "do you realize the hardship this will create if we get pregnant?" or "we cannot have this kind of a situation in our family" or "just get it done, forget it and move on with your life".    

If we continue to advocate this lifestyle, a culture that glamorizes immodesty, wanton sexuality outside of the covenant of marriage and homosexuality as a normal lifestyle, do not expect anything to change for the better.  It will merely become a much more violent grab for control.