Abortion Attitudes, 1965-1980: Trends and Determinants

Abstract

Results of surveys sponsored by the National Opinion Research Center between 1965 and 1980 show that approval of abortion increased from an average of 41% for 6 different reasons in 1965 to 68% in 1973, with levels remaining stable through 1977, decreasing to an average of 64% in 1978, and rebounding to the 1973-77 level in 1980. 7% of respondents disapproved of abortion for all 6 of the stated reasons, which ranged from endangerment of the woman's health through a married woman wanting no more children. More than half of those approving of abortion do not do so for all reasons, with approval ranging from 90% if the woman's health is endangered to 47% if the women is married and wants no more children. Multiple regression analysis of the independent effect of 8 types of factors on abortion attitudes, by themselves and in combination, was conducted. Those favoring and opposing legal abortion do not differ on 11 of 13 values ascribed to child development, but differ on obedience and curiosity, suggesting a more authoritarian attitude toward childrearing and less emphasis on children's self-reliance among abortion opponents. Education has the strongest effect of the various social and demographic variables examined, with the better educated more likely to favor abortion availability, except among Catholics. Approval of abortion decreases with conservatism regarding various aspects of personal morality. The strongest negative relationship occurs with disapproval of premarital sex and preference for large numbers of children. Political party and ideology are only weakly linked to legal abortion approval. Approval of abortion increases with support for women's rights and basic civil liberties.