美国企业研究所-对堕胎的态度：对20世纪70年代至今民调的全面回顾（英）-2021.11-76页_6mb

Summary of "Attitudes About Abortion" by AEI Public Opinion Studies

Core Content

This document provides a comprehensive review of public opinion polls on abortion from the 1970s to 2021. It highlights the shifting perspectives on the morality of abortion, the legality of abortion, and the complex interplay between personal choice and moral judgment. The study also explores how Americans view abortion in the context of broader social issues and how their opinions have evolved over time, especially in light of legal developments like the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case.

Main Trends in Public Opinion

Legality of Abortion

• General stance: Most Americans believe abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances.
  • In 1975, 54% supported this view, while in 2021, it dropped to 48%.
  • 21% in 1975 and 32% in 2021 believed it should be legal in all circumstances.
  • 22% in 1975 and 19% in 2021 believed it should be illegal in all circumstances.
• Support for legal abortion in all cases has increased slightly over time.
• Opposition to legal abortion in all cases has decreased slightly.

Morality of Abortion

• Public opinion on the morality of abortion has shifted:
  • In 2006, 12% considered it morally acceptable, 52% morally wrong, and 23% not a moral issue.
  • In 2017, these numbers changed to 20%, 48%, and 31%, respectively.
  • In 2021, 47% considered it morally acceptable and 46% morally wrong.
• Belief that abortion is murder:
  • In 1989, 58% agreed.
  • In 2000, 56% agreed.
  • In 2006, 65% of registered voters believed that abortion ends a human life.

Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Duality

• Many Americans hold contradictory views: believing abortion is an act of murder but also that it should be a personal choice.
• This duality suggests a complex moral stance with many people not seeking to resolve the tension between these views.

Key Opinions on Abortion Restrictions

• Majorities support restrictions:
  • Notification of partners
  • Parental consent for teenagers
  • 24-hour waiting periods
• Legal status by trimester:
  • Most support legal abortion in the first trimester.
  • Oppose it in the second and third trimesters.

Abortion as an Election Issue

• Abortion is a significant election issue, with varying levels of importance among voters.
• Majority of voters believe it is important, but not all view it as a top priority.
• The issue is more polarizing in certain contexts, such as when linked to Supreme Court nominees.

State Laws and Legal Trends

• State laws on abortion vary, with some states enacting restrictive laws.
• The Supreme Court's role in shaping abortion policy is a major concern for the public.
• The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a topic of significant public interest, with most Americans not wanting the decision reversed.

Comparative Morality Polls

• The morality of abortion is often compared with other behaviors:
  • Smoking: 42% considered it morally acceptable in 2001.
  • Drinking alcohol excessively: 31% considered it morally acceptable in 2001.
  • Homosexual behavior: 12% considered it morally acceptable in 2006.
• Abortion is generally viewed more negatively than other behaviors, with a consistent majority considering it morally wrong.

Views on When Life Begins

• Majority believe life begins at birth:
  • In 1989, 41% believed life begins at conception, 27% somewhere in between, and 15% at birth.
  • In 2000, 53% believed life begins at conception, 29% somewhere in between, and 12% at birth.
  • In 2019, 38% believed life begins at conception, 16% at birth, and 37% somewhere in between.

Support for Women's Choice

• Majority support the right to choose:
  • In 1980, 62% believed a woman should be allowed an abortion if her doctor agrees.
  • In 1998, 59% held this view.
• Opinion on unrestricted access:
  • In 1981, 40% supported unrestricted access.
  • By 1994, this number increased to 54%.
  • In 2020, 43% wanted it generally available, 31% available under stricter limits, and 24% not permitted.

Conclusion

• American public opinion on abortion is nuanced and evolving.
• While there is broad support for women's right to choose, majority view it as morally wrong in most circumstances.
• Legal restrictions are widely accepted, particularly in later trimesters.
• The morality of abortion is often seen as more serious than other behaviors, but the issue remains controversial and politically significant.