Male attitudes toward abortion: An analysis of urban survey data

College Students' Attitudes Toward Abortion: The Role of Knowledge and Demographic Variables1

“…The majority of studies have found significant differences in abortion attitudes between different age groups, with the older respondents holding more positive attitudes than the younger respondents. Significant differences were found to exist between those respondents under 40 and those over 40 (Westfall et al, 1991), 18-22 and22+ (Wright &Rogers, 1987), 18-29 and 30-45+ (Adebayo, 1990), and 13-20 and 21-45 years of age (Faria, Barrett, & Goodman, 1985). These studies typically ask respondents for their personal feelings regarding abortion.…”

“…Respondents associated with churches having strong antiabortion attitudes were significantly less approving in their opinions than were those not affiliated with churches that prohibit abortion (Hollis &Morris, 1992;Wright & Rogers, 1987). When examining specific religions, Catholics and Baptists were found to hold the lowest approval for abortions and Jews, Episcopalians, and those with no religious affiliation were found to hold the highest approval for abortion (Adebayo, 1990;Faria et al, 1985;Krishnan, 1991;Szafran & Clagett, 1988).…”

“…Religiosity is another variable which has been found to be a significant predictor of abortion attitudes. When defined by the degree to which one believes oneself to be religious, Adebayo (1990) and Krishnan (1991) found that a strong religiosity level was associated with low approval for abortion. When religiosity was measured by church attendance, Szafran and Clagett (1988) found those respondents who frequently attended church services to be considerably more opposed to abortion than those who attended services less frequently.…”

“…The respondent's position on abortion is usually indirectly obtained by asking whether an abortion should be permitted under different circumstances in which a woman becomes pregnant. The four most commonly used scenarios are: The woman's own health is in danger as a result of pregnancy (Health); the woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape (Rape); there is a strong chance of a fetal defect (Defect); and the mother is poor and cannot afford a child (Poor; Adebayo, 1990;Gillespie, Ten Vergert, & Kingma, 1988;Krishnan, 1991). Other common scenarios which have been used include: The mother is single and does not want to marry (Single); the woman is married and does not want any more children (No More; Adebayo, 1990;Gillespie et al, 1988;Hall & Ferree, 1986); and the woman has made a personal decision to abort the fetus (Personal; Westfall, Kallail, & Walling, 1991).…”

“…However, the questions used to obtain a subject's position on abortion under the specified circumstances varies across studies. Most studies ask respondents whether they believe women should be able to obtain a legal abortion (Adebayo, 1990;Betzig & Lombardo, 1992;Hall & Ferree, 1986;Scott & Schuman, 1988;Szafran & Clagett, 1988), although a few studies ask for respondents' personal opinions about abortion under specific circumstances (Moore & Stief, 199 1 ;Westfall et al, 1991). This distinction is important, since Scott (1989) has shown that people may feel that abortion should be a legal option, yet they do not personally feel that abortion is right or is the appropriate option.…”