Gallup: most Americans want abortion illegal under most circumstances

May 24, 2011

In an annual survey of attitudes, the Gallup Poll has found that 72% of Americans believe that abortion should be legally restricted.

The Gallup figures show that 49% of Americans label themselves “pro-choice” while 45% are “pro-life.” For more than a decade those figures have been roughly even in each annual survey.

However, when questioned further about their attitudes, respondents express opposition to abortion. The results suggest that although the “pro-choice” label has enduring popularity, most Americans do not favor abortion. A bare majority—51%--say that abortion is “morally wrong,” and only 39% say the procedure is “morally acceptable.” These figures, too, have held roughly steady over the past decade.

More significantly, 72% say that abortion should be illegal either in all (22%) or in some (50%) circumstances. (That figures obviously must include many of the 49% who identified themselves as “pro-choice.”) Of those who responded that abortion should be legal in “some” circumstances, 61% said it should be only a few—rather than “most”—circumstances. Thus the Gallup figures show clear support for measures to end the current policy of unrestricted legal abortion on demand.

The Gallup figures show no significant differences in attitudes between men and women, or between young and middle-aged respondents. The figures did show sharp differences based on political affiliation, with conservative and Republican respondents much more likely to support the pro-life stand.

 

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Further information:

• Americans Still Split Along "Pro-Choice," "Pro-Life" Lines (Gallup)