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Gallup: Number of pro-choicers at new low
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/23/us/gallup-poll-abortion/index.html?section=cnn_latest
CNN) -- The percentage of Americans who self-identify as favoring abortion rights has hit a record low of 41%, while those who consider themselves "pro-life" reached 50%, according to a new Gallup poll released Wednesday.
The prior record low for people who considered themselves "pro-choice" was 42% in 2009; that year 51% identified themselves as "pro-life," according to Gallup.
First established in 1975, the survey asks if "abortion should be legal in all circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances."
Since 2001, the middle category has been chosen by about half of poll respondents, who far outnumber those who took either of the absolute choices. About 52% of those currently polled believe abortion should be legal under certain circumstances, a slight increase from last year's findings of 50%.
About 20% want abortion to be made illegal in all cases, while about 25% want it legal in all cases, the poll found.
Anti-abortion groups were quick to hail the new findings.
"I think medical technology has a lot to do with it," said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, a Washington-based anti-abortion organization. "People are seeing ultrasound images of their unborn babies and it's changing perceptions."
But abortion rights groups downplayed the labels' significance while also pointing to an apparently increased U.S. willingness to allow abortions in some circumstances.
"The survey shows Americans still strongly support keeping abortion safe and legal," said Ted Miller, a spokesman for NARAL Pro-Choice America. "Pro-choice victories on ballot measures in states like Mississippi and South Dakota in the last few years, combined with the backlash against recent attacks on women's reproductive rights, are a clear sign that voters want to protect a woman's right to choose."
There's another article that discusses the rise in "pro-life" classifcation among independents. In other interesting polls news, a recent Quinnipiac poll has Romney up by 6 in Florida.
Re: Gallup: Number of pro-choicers at new low
I'm not seeing how the story backs up the headline.
So more people think abortion should be legal in ALL cases than illegal in all cases - and the number of people who think it should be legal in certain circumstances has increased, and is over 50%.
Sounds like this is similar to modern feminists not self-identifying as feminists.
There has indeed been an insurgence of anti-choice rhetoric and sentiment lately. I had an abortion when I was 19 and the would-be baby daddy was violently anti-choice. And by violent I mean violent. He attacked and tried to kill me several months after. His fundamentalist church also joined him in stalking and harassing me and making death threats. It was a horrible point of my life, but they only enforced how I had made the right choice. He only went to prison for 6 months for trying to kill me because several of the jurors on the case were so-called pro-life. Justice.
When I was sitting in the clinic there were protesters outside calling all the women going in murderers. One of the women sitting next to me was 6 or 7 months pregnant, and she got the worst of the abuse. They called her horrible things and she was bawling in the waiting room. Turns out her baby had died inside her and she had the choice to either have a D&C or carry her dead child inside her until she miscarried or gave birth to it's corpse. Just horrifying. Her baby was already dead and they were screaming "whore" and "murderer" at her.
Sorry for the hijack. I hate anti-choice rhetoric. These extremists don't care about life at all. All these women who are already born whose lives have been helped, even saved by abortion are invisible. Taking away abortion wouldn't have stopped me from having an abortion. I would have traveled internationally for it if I had to. With the position I was in, abortion was the best choice by miles. But that woman in the waiting room probably wouldn't have, and she would have had her dead baby inside her for who knows how long.Hi, Adventure: I wanted to respond to what you posted, because it hurt my heart. I'm truly sorry you had such a harrowing experience and encountered such ugliness. I come from a pro-life family, have been pro-life ever since I learned what abortion is, and anticipate I always will be. Most of the pro-lifers I know are compassionate people and many take specific actions to help women who find themselves in difficult situations, whether that's facing an unexpected pregnancy (and perhaps considering abortion), caring for an infant with few resources or support, or dealing with the emotional aftermath of an abortion. They are motivated by love and often their personal faith.
It sounds like the people you encountered channeled their misguided passion for what they feel is right into hatred towards you and the other women. I'm ashamed that they and I are grouped under the same title, because I believe being pro-life calls me to affirm and respect human life in all its forms. Yes, I believe that includes unborn babies, but that also includes the women carrying them, as well as the impoverished, the sick and dying, etc.
My friends and I have "protested" outside the abortion facility in our city by kneeling on the curb and praying. I've peacefully held signs that read, "God loves you" and seen women about to enter the facility break down crying because that was the first time in a long time they'd been told (by anyone!) that they were loved. I've answered phones at a crisis pregnancy center, given pregnant women rides to medical appointments, and bought diapers for those children after they were born. I also express my opinion with my vote and will never be able to vote for someone who supports the right to an abortion. (This usually allies me with conservative Republicans, although many of them are not pro-life in areas not related to abortion.)
You and I may have had very different life experiences and therefore disagree politically. That does not diminish your right to feel safe and be treated with dignity. Though it is not enough, please accept my apology for the way you were treated.
Hi, Adventure: I wanted to respond to what you posted, because it hurt my heart. I'm truly sorry you had such a harrowing experience and encountered such ugliness. I come from a pro-life family, have been pro-life ever since I learned what abortion is, and anticipate I always will be. Most of the pro-lifers I know are compassionate people and many take specific actions to help women who find themselves in difficult situations, whether that's facing an unexpected pregnancy (and perhaps considering abortion), caring for an infant with few resources or support, or dealing with the emotional aftermath of an abortion. They are motivated by love and often their personal faith.
It sounds like the people you encountered channeled their misguided passion for what they feel is right into hatred towards you and the other women. I'm ashamed that they and I are grouped under the same title, because I believe being pro-life calls me to affirm and respect human life in all its forms. Yes, I believe that includes unborn babies, but that also includes the women carrying them, as well as the impoverished, the sick and dying, etc.
My friends and I have "protested" outside the abortion facility in our city by kneeling on the curb and praying. I've peacefully held signs that read, "God loves you" and seen women about to enter the facility break down crying because that was the first time in a long time they'd been told (by anyone!) that they were loved. I've answered phones at a crisis pregnancy center, given pregnant women rides to medical appointments, and bought diapers for those children after they were born. I also express my opinion with my vote and will never be able to vote for someone who supports the right to an abortion. (This usually allies me with conservative Republicans, although many of them are not pro-life in areas not related to abortion.)
You and I may have had very different life experiences and therefore disagree politically. That does not diminish your right to feel safe and be treated with dignity. Though it is not enough, please accept my apology for the way you were treated.