Survey yearLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
201439%57%4%12,206
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

Views about abortion among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by religious group

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say abortion should be…

Religious traditionLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Catholic40%56%4%2,385
Evangelical Protestant23%74%3%4,563
Historically Black Protestant47%46%6%585
Jehovah's Witness11%80%9%140
Jewish77%21%2%188
Mainline Protestant50%47%3%2,013
Mormon15%82%2%382
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")65%31%4%1,520
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Legal in all/most cases, Illegal in all/most cases

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are ages…

Views about abortion18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Legal in all/most cases16%36%31%17%4,607
Illegal in all/most cases15%34%30%21%6,870
Don't know7%36%29%27%448
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about abortionYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Legal in all/most cases9%13%30%36%11%1%4,607
Illegal in all/most cases9%12%28%36%14%1%6,870
Don't know4%9%30%35%19%3%448
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Gender composition among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about abortionMenWomenSample size
Legal in all/most cases52%48%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases51%49%7,033
Don't know57%43%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who identify as…

Views about abortionWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Legal in all/most cases69%12%3%12%4%4,640
Illegal in all/most cases75%8%2%12%3%6,908
Don't know63%15%2%15%5%446
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about abortionImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Legal in all/most cases12%10%78%4,649
Illegal in all/most cases12%7%81%6,965
Don't know12%8%80%463
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who have a household income of…

Views about abortionLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Legal in all/most cases30%19%29%22%4,203
Illegal in all/most cases30%21%31%19%6,087
Don't know37%23%23%18%342
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who have completed…

Views about abortionHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Legal in all/most cases36%34%18%11%4,676
Illegal in all/most cases40%33%18%10%6,995
Don't know43%35%13%8%461
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about abortionMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Legal in all/most cases51%8%14%5%21%4,681
Illegal in all/most cases63%4%10%6%17%7,002
Don't know52%3%17%12%16%464
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about abortionParentsNon-parentsSample size
Legal in all/most cases29%71%4,683
Illegal in all/most cases33%67%7,001
Don't know21%79%467
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say they…

Views about abortionBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Legal in all/most cases61%21%6%< 1%10%2%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases86%10%1%1%1%< 1%7,033
Don't know74%12%3%3%5%3%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say religion is…

Views about abortionVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases47%29%12%11%< 1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases81%13%3%2%1%7,033
Don't know65%18%6%6%5%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who attend religious services…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases28%38%34%< 1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases64%24%12%< 1%7,033
Don't know43%28%26%3%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who pray…

Views about abortionAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases52%17%6%24%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases79%11%3%6%1%7,033
Don't know68%12%3%12%5%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who attend prayer group…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases19%9%9%63%< 1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases47%12%8%32%1%7,033
Don't know31%8%9%50%3%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who meditate…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases37%9%4%49%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases51%7%3%37%2%7,033
Don't know54%7%2%31%6%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases57%15%10%17%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases76%11%6%7%1%7,033
Don't know72%9%7%11%2%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases42%17%13%26%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases50%16%11%21%2%7,033
Don't know51%8%11%26%4%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Views about abortionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases29%12%48%9%2%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases66%4%24%3%2%7,033
Don't know42%6%35%6%12%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who read scripture…

Views about abortionAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases29%11%9%50%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases64%10%6%20%1%7,033
Don't know48%8%8%33%3%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say the holy scripture is…

Views about abortionWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases26%27%2%37%8%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases52%31%4%9%4%7,033
Don't know40%15%9%21%15%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …in heaven

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases71%22%6%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases85%8%7%7,033
Don't know73%14%13%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …in hell

Views about abortionBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases56%36%7%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases79%14%7%7,033
Don't know53%29%17%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who identify as…

Views about abortionRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Legal in all/most cases38%16%46%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases65%16%19%7,033
Don't know38%31%31%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who are…

Views about abortionConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases34%38%23%6%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases66%20%8%6%7,033
Don't know45%27%9%19%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who would rather have…

Views about abortionSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases55%39%3%3%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases73%23%2%2%7,033
Don't know52%28%10%10%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say government aid to the poor…

Views about abortionDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases48%48%3%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases65%29%4%2%7,033
Don't know47%35%10%7%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say homosexuality…

Views about abortionShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases71%23%3%3%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases29%63%4%3%7,033
Don't know35%32%13%20%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who …same-sex marriage

Views about abortionStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases62%31%7%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases20%74%6%7,033
Don't know23%41%36%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say…

Views about abortionStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases37%60%2%1%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases57%38%2%3%7,033
Don't know38%46%7%9%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong by views about abortion

% of adults who say that there are clear standards for what is right and wrong who say humans…

Views about abortionEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Legal in all/most cases36%28%3%30%3%4,701
Illegal in all/most cases11%23%2%60%4%7,033
Don't know17%22%9%38%14%472
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.