idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam
Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.
Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM
idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam
Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.
Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM
In a 2003 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, the question was asked: "Which of the following best represents your views about abortion -- the choice of an abortion should be left up to the woman and her doctor, abortion should only be legal in cases when pregnancy results from rape or incest or when the life of the woman is at risk, or abortion should be legal in all circumstances?"
The answers showed that 53% of the public felt abortion was a decision best left up to the woman and her doctor. Only 15% felt it should be illegal in all circumstances, with 29% want to have exceptions. Thus, a majority appeared to support abortion rights for women.
Compare that result to a poll earlier that year by Fox News/Opinion Dynamics: "Once a woman is pregnant, do you believe the unborn baby or fetus should have all the rights as a newborn baby?" Nearly 60% of the public said yes, the unborn fetus should have the same rights as a newborn baby. Only 26% said no. According to this poll, a strong majority wants to protect the rights of the unborn.
So what is the American position on abortion? Clearly, the answer depends on the wording of the question, specifically on whether respondents are asked to focus on the rights of women or the rights of the unborn.
Gateways to Democracy: An Introduction to American Government, pp. 185-86.