Changing Attitudes on Abortion

Two recent studies conducted by Gallup and the Guttmacher Institute show that both negative and positive trends can be found regarding life issues. For example, while the abortion rate dropped eight percent from 2000 to 2008 and seven in ten Americans believe that abortion should be illegal in at least some cases, for the first time since 2008 the “pro-choice” position has a numerical advantage over the “pro-life” position.
The results of Gallup’s 2011 Values and Beliefs survey which were released this week, reveal that 49 percent of the population describe themselves as “pro-choice” while 45 percent consider themselves “pro-life.” The survey also revealed that:

• 53 percent of the 18 to 34-year-old age group believes that abortion is morally wrong.
• Only 31 percent of the 18 to 34 age group believe that abortion should be legal under any circumstance.
• Just over half of all age groups (51%), believe that abortion is morally wrong.
• 39 percent say that abortion is “morally acceptable.”
• The most popular view among Americans (50%), is that “abortion should be legal under certain circumstances.”
• 27 percent of Americans want abortion legal in all cases and 22 percent want it illegal in all cases.

The report from Guttmacher, which was founded as the research arm of Planned Parenthood, also revealed that the abortion rate among poor women jumped 18 percent over the eight years of the study. For more information go to The Gallup Report.