Category: abortion

A thread by Andy Rowell

As study after global study has shown, "pro-life" limiting access to abortion is not a significant factor in reducing the number of abortions.

The main factor that reduces the number of abortions is making contraceptives easily accessible, which often "pro-life" people oppose.

"1.4 percent of all abortions came after 21 weeks …
None of these Democrats [candidates for president] is explicitly saying, 'I support allowing third-trimester [28-40 weeks] abortions' — and, in fact, they seem to be trying hard to avoid doing so." (washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/…)

Reference:
Blake, Aaron. "Democrats’ leftward shift on third-trimester abortion." The Washington Post (Online), Sep 11 2019. This is also correct.

Daniel Grossman:
“Not all restrictions on abortion are the same — some create a minor obstacle that most patients overcome, while others result in the closure of large-volume providers, making it impossible for some to access care.”

Reference:
Belluck, Pam. "America’s Abortion Rate Has Dropped to Its Lowest Ever." New York Times (Online), Sep 18 2019. "43 states prohibit some abortions after a certain point in pregnancy.
– 22 states ban abortion between 13 and 24 weeks LMP (Last menstrual period).  
– 20 states impose a ban at 24-28 weeks .
– 1 state imposes a ban … 25 weeks LMP onward" (guttmacher.org/state-policy/e…)

There is a some consensus about late term abortion:
– 43 of 50 states ban abortion between 13-25 weeks.
– Only 1.3% of abortions occur after 21 weeks.
– Third trimester abortion would be (28-40 weeks).
– Democratic presidential candidates are talking in generalities. See also:

for an argument that pro-life persuasion regarding the immorality of abortion and pro-life restrictions have reduced US abortion rate. But I am thinking about rates of abortion in different countries and the main factor is contraceptive access.