Abortion
| Updated Oct. 19, 2009 | ||
| Americans and Abortion: An Overview | ||
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More than 36 years after the U.S. Supreme Court's historic Roe v. Wade (1973) decision granted a woman the constitutional right to terminate her pregnancy, abortion remains a controversial issue. Although the frequency of abortions in the U.S. has dropped to its lowest point since 1974, the debate over abortion continues to play a prominent role in state and federal politics. |
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Key Abortion Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court A history of landmark abortion cases in the U.S. |
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Support for Abortion Slips Americans are now evenly divided on the question of whether abortion should be legal. |
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Abortion Laws Around the World Abortion is as controversial abroad as it is in the United States. |
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Religious Groups' Official Positions on Abortion A breakdown of 17 major religious groups' views on the issue. |
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More resources
Graphic
Abortion Views by Religious Affiliation
Jan. 15, 2009
The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted in 2007 by the Pew
Forum, finds that most religious traditions in the U.S. come down
firmly on one side or the other in the debate over abortion.
Religion & Politics '08
Barack Obama on the Issues
Nov. 6, 2008
See where Obama stands on 12 values-laden issues, including abortion.
Religion & Politics '08
Joe Biden on the Issues
Nov. 6, 2008
See where Biden stands on 12 values-laden issues, including abortion.
Q&A
Pro-Choice Does Not Mean Pro-Abortion: An Argument for Abortion Rights Featuring the Rev. Carlton W. Veazey
Sept. 30, 2008
To explore the case for abortion rights, the Pew Forum turns
to the Rev. Carlton W. Veazey, who for more than a decade has been
president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Q&A
Fundamental Dignity at Every Stage of Life: An Argument Against Abortion Rights Featuring the Rev. J. Daniel Mindling
Sept. 30, 2008
To explore the case against abortion rights, the Pew Forum
turns to the Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, a professor of moral philosophy
and academic dean at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmetsburg, Md.
Analysis
A Slight but Steady Majority Favors Keeping Abortion Legal
Sept. 16, 2008
Public opinion on the legality of abortion remained relatively
stable for well over a decade, with slight majorities consistently saying they favor keeping abortion legal.
Survey Report
Issues and the 2008 Election
Aug. 21, 2008
A summer 2008 survey by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for
the People & the Press finds that public opinion on abortion has
remained consistent over the past few years.
Event
Faith and the Public Dialogue: A Conversation With Sen. John Kerry
Nov. 1, 2007
The Pew Forum invited Mass. Sen. John Kerry to discuss the propriety of
public inquiry into politicians’ religious beliefs and how those
beliefs influence candidates’ views on the issues of the day. Among
other issues, Kerry discussed the denial of Communion to pro-choice
Catholic politicians.
Event Transcript
After Gonzales v. Carhart: The Future of Abortion Jurisprudence
June 14, 2007
On April 18, 2007, the Supreme Court handed abortion opponents a major
victory, ruling that the Federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act does
not violate the constitutional right to abortion. The Pew Forum invited a distinguished panel of experts to discuss the ruling
and examine how it may affect abortion jurisprudence and the abortion
debate in the future.
Decision Analysis
The High Court Upholds the Federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act
June 6, 2007
This analysis of Gonzales v. Carhart examines the decision and impact of the April 2007 case.
Analysis
High Court Decision Could Raise Abortion's Profile in Campaign
April 19, 2007
The Supreme Court decision in Gonazales v. Carhart,
upholding a federal law banning a controversial abortion procedure,
could dramatically raise abortion's visibility in the 2008 presidential
election campaign.
Legal Backgrounder
The Supreme Court Revisits the Partial Birth Abortion Issue
November 2006
This Pew Forum legal backgrounder summarizes U.S. abortion jurisprudence and the issues in Gonzales v. Carhart and Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood.
Decision Analysis
Supreme Court's Decision in Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Feb. 9, 2006
This Pew Forum report examines the decision and impact of Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
Event Transcript
The Supreme Court Revisits Abortion: The Issues and Impact of the Upcoming Ayotte Case
Nov. 29, 2005
In November 2005, the Pew Forum, together with the Federalist Society
and the American Constitution Society, held an event to discuss the
current state of the law and panelists' predictions for a ruling in the
case Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
Legal Backgrounder
The Supreme Court Returns to the Abortion Debate: Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Nov. 28, 2005
This Pew Forum backgrounder traces the history of the abortion debate and outlines key cases, specifically Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
Fact Sheet
Abortion Seen as Most Important Issue for Supreme Court
November 2005
This November 2005 fact sheet analyzes polling data from the Pew Forum
and the Pew Research Center and finds that most Americans favor legalized
abortion, but with more limits.
Event
The Body Politic and the Body of Christ: Candidates, Communion and the Catholic Church
June 23, 2004
A discussion between Thomas J. Reese and George Weigel examining issues
surrounding the denial of Communion to pro-choice Catholic politicians.
Other Resources
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Jan. 15, 2009 Sept. 15, 2009 Jan. 13, 2009
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American Center for Law and Justice |
Pew Research Center
News
Other WebsitesPhoto Credits: Abortion protest: Corbis; Justice statue: Phil O'Connor/Corbis; Religious symbols: Sébastien Désarmaux/Corbis
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