Posted on 07/10/2009 3:45:00 PM PDT by NYer
.- A new poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus supports other reports that say Americans are increasing becoming pro-life. About 49 percent of Americans now describe themselves as pro-life, while 60 percent think abortion should be legal only in a few circumstances or not at all.
The poll, undertaken in partnership with the Marist Institute for Public Opinion at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, conducted a telephone survey of 1,223 Americans in May 2009 and claims a margin of error of plus or minus three percent.
An October 2008 Knights of Columbus/Marist Institute poll showed 44 percent of Americans considered themselves to be pro-life. This figure increased to 49 percent among the May 2009 respondents. Men and women were about evenly split on abortion but were still slightly more pro-life than those polled in 2008.
Practicing Catholics surveyed in May were 67 percent pro-life, compared to 59 percent in 2008. However, pro-life non-practicing Catholics declined from 29 percent to 23 percent.
African-Americans said they were pro-life at a rate of 54 percent, a 15 percent uptick from the 2008 respondents. About 43 percent of Latinos said they were pro-life, a slight increase, while 49 percent of whites said likewise.
Shifting opinion on abortion was also evident by region.
By region, the South showed a 15 percent pro-life jump to 64 percent. However, the West declined in pro-life sentiment by five points to 32 percent. The Midwest (47 percent pro-life) and the Northeast (41 percent pro-life) were almost unchanged.
About 42 percent of poll respondents said abortion should be illegal in most circumstances, while 18 percent said the killing procedure should be illegal in all circumstances. A reported 23 percent said abortion should be legal in all circumstances, while 17 percent believed it should be legal in most circumstances.
In addition to the 60 percent who favored banning abortion in all or most circumstances, another 26 percent thought it should be allowed only in the first three months of pregnancy. Under Roe v. Wade and related Supreme Court rulings, abortion in the U.S. is almost unrestricted throughout all nine months of pregnancy.
Around 53 percent of respondents said an abortion does more harm than good to a woman in the long run, while 26 percent felt it improves a woman’s life. Eighteen percent were unsure.
On the topic of conscience protections, almost 80 percent of Americans believed health care workers should not be required to perform an abortion if it conflicts with their personal values.
The findings provide results similar to other recent surveys, such as a May Gallup poll which for the first time in its 14-year history reported that a majority of U.S. respondents self-described as pro-life.
Ping!
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Why the drop after 1960? (in deaths of women from illegal abortions)
The reasons were new and better antibiotics, better surgery and the establishment of intensive care units in hospitals. This was in the face of a rising population. Between 1967 and 1970 sixteen states legalized abortion. In most it was limited, only for rape, incest and severe fetal handicap (life of mother was legal in all states). There were two big exceptions — California in 1967, and New York in 1970 allowed abortion on demand. Now look at the chart carefully.
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Abortion Statistics - Decision to Have an Abortion (U.S.)
· 25.5% of women deciding to have an abortion want to postpone childbearing
· 21.3% of women cannot afford a baby
· 14.1% of women have a relationship issue or their partner does not want a child
· 12.2% of women are too young (their parents or others object to the pregnancy)
· 10.8% of women feel a child will disrupt their education or career
· 7.9% of women want no (more) children
· 3.3% of women have an abortion due to a risk to fetal health
2.8% of women have an abortion due to a risk to maternal health
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So how many women’s lives have been saved by abortion?
Less than 3% of abortions since 1972 were reported to be “due to a risk to maternal health.” A reasonable person would recognize that not all of those cases represent a lethal risk. But let’s say they did. That means that nearly 45 million fetuses were butchered to save the lives of about 1.3 million women. Or put another way; 35 babies are killed to save each woman.
Abortion was legal in all 50 states prior to Roe v. Wade in cases of danger to the life of the woman.
Roe v Wade: FULL Text (The Decision that wiped out an entire Generation 33 years ago today)
The pendulum does swing, is it possible that it has reached the far left end of the swing and is now starting back to the right?
I wish they would get the story right.
It is not about ‘banning’ abortion.
The MSM and politicos want us to think it is.
There are perfectly valid reasons that some women would need, and should get abortions.
What really is at issue is that some people want the right to abortion for any reason, and to have it funded by the government.
Others want underage girls to be able to get abortions without telling their parents.
Those are the things we DO NOT WANT.
Never underestimate the power of prayer!
Then why did they elect a Marxist baby killer to the Presidency?
Freepmail wagglebee or DirtyHarryY2K to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.
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Gee, Anthony Kennedy loves polls. Wonder if he’ll go with the trends.
This is wonderful news! The hearts and minds of people are coming around to understand our sacred right to life.
BTTT!
Detailed poll results:
http://www.kofc.org/un/cmf/resources/Communications/documents/poll_abortion_200907.pdf
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