Gender and Position on Abortion
An analysis of surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2004 indicates that "33% of women say they strongly oppose more restrictions on abortion, compared with 26% of men." Is this a debate rooted in gender? Or are there a range of opinions and positions held by both women and men?
The following poll may shed some light on whether or not gender plays a role in an individual's support of - or opposition to - abortion.
A couple of clarifications: As used below, 'exceptions' would be situations such as rape, incest, and/or only if the mother's life is in danger; 'restrictions' would refer to specific time frames for abortion or methods of abortion. (All would be within the current existing guidelines for legal abortion in the United States.)
What's your gender and position on abortion?
- Female, strongly pro-life, no exceptions
- Female, pro-life, some exceptions
- Female, undecided
- Female, pro-choice, some restrictions
- Female, strongly pro-choice, no restrictions
- Male, strongly pro-life, no exceptions
- Male, pro-life, some exceptions
- Male, undecided
- Male, pro-choice, some restrictions
- Male, strongly pro-choice, no restrictions
Comments
For as many years as I can remember, I have been pro-choice. It was not until recently that I switched my opinion on abortion to pro-life. This has been met with scorn by the pro-choice supporters and I still feel that everyone in this country is allowed an opinion on this topic. Should you wish to read my columns on this subject, please Google search: Abortion: Who will speak out for the little ones. Also, The survivors of abortion. Please Google my name along with those subject titles so you will read the correct two pieces.
Best,
Mary MacElveen
http://www.marymacelveen.com
I REALLY THINK ITS TIME TO STAND UP AND BE BIG GIRLS NOW.1.AFTER ALL THIS IS MY BODY,YES, YES, AND AGAIN YES. NO YOU SHOULD NOT PUSSY FOOT AROUND GENDER, I AM A WOMAN. DONT YOU DARE DECIDE FOR ME, GROW UP, EQUAL RIGHTS, HA HA . ALL GAY WOMEN SHOULD BE PROUD. IT IS A WAY OF LIFE. DONT TAKE OUR RIGHTS TO THE VOTING BOX ANYMORE. NO WAY GROW UP, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WITH NO RESPECT FOR HIPPACRITS!!!!!!BRIDGET
I think this survey would be better if you included the life of the mother as a separate exception than rape or incest. Most, if not all, strongly pro-life people recognize that abortion is sometimes a necessary procedure to save the life of the mother. I am a woman and a strong feminist, but I am also strongly pro-life. I think feminism does not preclude the belief that humanity begins at conception. As women, we should be united against those that abuse and manipulate women, but we also should recognize that women, alone, can be mothers, and that we have a duty to protect any child that is already within the womb. Yes, many relationships are complicated and many pregnancies are unintended, but why should we rest with the social status quo? I think it is a disservice to other women if we do not fight for a society that accepts the fertility of women, that is not so centered around catering to men’s sexual wants, and that gives women the real support they need to be mothers and to pursue a career. Every woman should have the right to chose whether or not to be a mother, but that decision must come before the child is conceived, not afterwards.