More Americans are Pro-life than Pro-choice.

[Danno 1,228]

Just when we were thinking America is going more liberal, it seems it's not, at least not on the subject of Abortion. The most dramatic shift in a decade has taken place.

(please refer to the link for all the matching graphs/ charts)

-----------------------

More Americans “Pro-Life” Than “Pro-Choice” for First Time

Also, fewer think abortion should be legal “under any circumstances”

http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Ame...First-Time.aspx

PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42% "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

The new results, obtained from Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey, represent a significant shift from a year ago, when 50% were pro-choice and 44% pro-life. Prior to now, the highest percentage identifying as pro-life was 46%, in both August 2001 and May 2002.

The May 2009 survey documents comparable changes in public views about the legality of abortion. In answer to a question providing three options for the extent to which abortion should be legal, about as many Americans now say the procedure should be illegal in all circumstances (23%) as say it should be legal under any circumstances (22%). This contrasts with the last four years, when Gallup found a strong tilt of public attitudes in favor of unrestricted abortion.

Gallup also found public preferences for the extreme views on abortion about even -- as they are today -- in 2005 and 2002, as well as during much of the first decade of polling on this question from 1975 to 1985. Still, the dominant position on this question remains the middle option, as it has continuously since 1975: 53% currently say abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances.

When the views of this middle group are probed further -- asking these respondents whether they believe abortion should be legal in most or only a few circumstances -- Gallup finds the following breakdown in opinion.

Americans' recent shift toward the pro-life position is confirmed in two other surveys. The same three abortion questions asked on the Gallup Values and Beliefs survey were included in Gallup Poll Daily tracking from May 12-13, with nearly identical results, including a 50% to 43% pro-life versus pro-choice split on the self-identification question.

Additionally, a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center recorded an eight percentage-point decline since last August in those saying abortion should be legal in all or most cases, from 54% to 46%. The percentage saying abortion should be legal in only a few or no cases increased from 41% to 44% over the same period. As a result, support for the two broad positions is now about even, sharply different from most polling on this question since 1995, when the majority has typically favored legality.

Republicans Move to the Right

The source of the shift in abortion views is clear in the Gallup Values and Beliefs survey. The percentage of Republicans (including independents who lean Republican) calling themselves "pro-life" rose by 10 points over the past year, from 60% to 70%, while there has been essentially no change in the views of Democrats and Democratic leaners.

Similarly, by ideology, all of the increase in pro-life sentiment is seen among self-identified conservatives and moderates; the abortion views of political liberals have not changed.

"Pro-Life" Up Among Catholics and Protestants

One of the more prominent news stories touching on the abortion issue in recent months involves President Barack Obama's commencement speech and the bestowal of an honorary doctorate degree on him at the University of Notre Dame -- a Roman Catholic institution -- on Sunday. The invitation has drawn criticism from conservative Catholics and the church hierarchy because of Obama's policies in favor of legalizing and funding abortion, and the controversy might have been expected to strengthen the pro-life leanings of rank-and-file Catholics.

Nevertheless, the swelling of the pro-life position since last year is seen across Christian religious affiliations, including an eight-point gain among Protestants and a seven-point gain among Catholics.

[Niels Bohr 72]

51% and 42% are hardly stats.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

America is making up its mind on gay marriage, gun rights and abortion. On the first two, Americans are leaning towards protecting individual liberties. On abortion, towards protecting the unborn.

[Niels Bohr 72]

If the STATS were like 20% and 80% then that is more interesting. However, if the stats are 51% and 42% it's like the same as saying 50-50 chance.

[jundp 191]

Last week the pro-life group at our school placed the little white crosses all over the front lawn at school. Each cross represented 1000 lives lost to abortion. They do this every year and every year I find it moving. I wanted to take a picture before they took the crosses down, but I forgot.

It's funny because I consider myself liberal on almost all issues except abortion and immigration. Though, when I say I'm pro-life, I mean I'm pro-life. No abortion, no death penalty, no euthanasia/mercy killing, even animal rights. That makes many people uncomfortable.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If the STATS were like 20% and 80% then that is more interesting. However, if the stats are 51% and 42% it's like the same as saying 50-50 chance.

The trend is real.

[Niels Bohr 72]

If the STATS were like 20% and 80% then that is more interesting. However, if the stats are 51% and 42% it's like the same as saying 50-50 chance.

The trend is real.

No. I don't believe it. It's still 50-50. Since MA is the forefront in finding cure for diseases versus all the other 49 states, I think MA is still pro-choice. You need pro-choice to find cures.

Edited May 17, 2009 by Niels Bohr

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

You need pro-choice to find cures.

??

[Niels Bohr 72]

You need pro-choice to find cures.

??

There's a correlation of high pro-life rates with zero embrionic research. And, same with pro-choice. There's also a correlation for those favoring pro-choice with embryonic research.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

You need pro-choice to find cures.

??

There's a correlation of high pro-life rates with zero embrionic research. And, same with pro-choice. There's also a correlation for those favoring pro-choice with embryonic research.

Ok.

[scandal 951]

Last week the pro-life group at our school placed the little white crosses all over the front lawn at school. Each cross represented 1000 lives lost to abortion. They do this every year and every year I find it moving. I wanted to take a picture before they took the crosses down, but I forgot.

It's funny because I consider myself liberal on almost all issues except abortion and immigration. Though, when I say I'm pro-life, I mean I'm pro-life. No abortion, no death penalty, no euthanasia/mercy killing, even animal rights. That makes many people uncomfortable.

Out of curiosity, you mean from conception? For example, are you against the morning after pill?

To many, "abortion" of a 72-hour old blastomere is a very different thing than the partial-birth abortion of a 24 week old fetus who is potentially viable in an incubator. I personally have some qualms about the latter, but none really about the former.

[Ban Hammer 13,659]

i hope obama can do something about this once he takes office.

[jundp 191]

Last week the pro-life group at our school placed the little white crosses all over the front lawn at school. Each cross represented 1000 lives lost to abortion. They do this every year and every year I find it moving. I wanted to take a picture before they took the crosses down, but I forgot.

It's funny because I consider myself liberal on almost all issues except abortion and immigration. Though, when I say I'm pro-life, I mean I'm pro-life. No abortion, no death penalty, no euthanasia/mercy killing, even animal rights. That makes many people uncomfortable.

Out of curiosity, you mean from conception? For example, are you against the morning after pill?

To many, "abortion" of a 72-hour old blastomere is a very different thing than the partial-birth abortion of a 24 week old fetus who is potentially viable in an incubator. I personally have some qualms about the latter, but none really about the former.

I suppose I contradict myself here, because I don't have a problem with birth control pills, condoms, or diaphragms. I think something that prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg, or that prevents ovulation from occurring is ok, which does go against my faith, btw. However, I think once conception has occurred then no dice. To me it's murder. I know many people don't see it that way and I do know and understand that it's a woman's body, etc. But I don't believe it's a choice, I do believe it's a life. I do feel in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger, then abortion should be allowed.

However, I do NOT think Roe v Wade should be overturned. I think the right course of action is to teach proper sex ed, teach birth control methods, and to maybe teach that abortion shouldn't be used as a form of birth control. If you are an adult woman who chooses to have sex and you get pregnant, then using abortion as some type of birth control is ridiculous. I have known a couple of women in my lifetime who have had more than 3 abortions because 'oops, I got pregnant.' I find that infuriating. Get on the pill, ffs. Or close your legs. (omg....what is wrong with me today?!)

[Ban Hammer 13,659]

is a bj birth control?

[scandal 951]

Last week the pro-life group at our school placed the little white crosses all over the front lawn at school. Each cross represented 1000 lives lost to abortion. They do this every year and every year I find it moving. I wanted to take a picture before they took the crosses down, but I forgot.

It's funny because I consider myself liberal on almost all issues except abortion and immigration. Though, when I say I'm pro-life, I mean I'm pro-life. No abortion, no death penalty, no euthanasia/mercy killing, even animal rights. That makes many people uncomfortable.

Out of curiosity, you mean from conception? For example, are you against the morning after pill?

To many, "abortion" of a 72-hour old blastomere is a very different thing than the partial-birth abortion of a 24 week old fetus who is potentially viable in an incubator. I personally have some qualms about the latter, but none really about the former.

I suppose I contradict myself here, because I don't have a problem with birth control pills, condoms, or diaphragms. I think something that prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg, or that prevents ovulation from occurring is ok, which does go against my faith, btw. However, I think once conception has occurred then no dice. To me it's murder. I know many people don't see it that way and I do know and understand that it's a woman's body, etc. But I don't believe it's a choice, I do believe it's a life. I do feel in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger, then abortion should be allowed.

However, I do NOT think Roe v Wade should be overturned. I think the right course of action is to teach proper sex ed, teach birth control methods, and to maybe teach that abortion shouldn't be used as a form of birth control. If you are an adult woman who chooses to have sex and you get pregnant, then using abortion as some type of birth control is ridiculous. I have known a couple of women in my lifetime who have had more than 3 abortions because 'oops, I got pregnant.' I find that infuriating. Get on the pill, ffs. Or close your legs. (omg....what is wrong with me today?!)

Great response. If only all discussions of this emotional topic in our society could be so rational and courteous.

I think the vast majority of people, like you - whether they are prochoice or prolife - believe that abortion should never be a substitute for birth control and family planning. Any unwanted pregnancy is regrettable, and preventing unwanted and unplanned pregnancies is always preferable to terminating them.

That's one thing that I simply fail to understand: the most strident anti-abortionists, particularly in the Catholic Church, also take the toughest stance against family planning and condom use. It's baffling to me. Condom usage not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, and thus also reduces the need for abortions, but also is vital in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other STDs in Africa and the Third World (as well as here at home, of course) where these diseases are killing more than all the wars put together. How the Church, in the name of sanctity of life, can still in this day and age counsel against condom distribution is unfathomable to me.