JOURNAL ARTICLE

Trends in Abortion Attitudes: From Roe to Dobbs.

  • Published In: Public Opinion Quarterly, 2023, v. 87, n. 2. P. 427 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Norrander, Barbara; Wilcox, Clyde 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines American public opinion on abortion from the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade through the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling that overturned Roe. It reviews trends in five key areas: support for Roe, general abortion attitudes, views on abortion under specific conditions, identification with pro-choice or pro-life labels, and state-level abortion opinions. Despite political activism and legal battles, public opinion has remained relatively stable, with most Americans adopting a "situationalist" stance—supporting abortion under some circumstances but not all—and valuing both fetal life and women’s autonomy. Following the Dobbs decision, a majority of Americans disapproved of overturning Roe, yet short-term polling shows little change in overall abortion attitudes. State-level opinions vary regionally, generally aligning with existing abortion policies, and abortion remains a significant and polarizing issue in American politics.

Additional Information

  • Source:Public Opinion Quarterly. 2023/06, Vol. 87, Issue 2, p427
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0033-362X
  • DOI:10.1093/poq/nfad014
  • Accession Number:164935232
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