Abortions are Down Across the Country -- but Why?

Green Lantern · #1 01-17-2008, 10:39 PM

Why Abortions Are Down in America
Abortions are Down Across the Country -- but Why?

The conclusion of a sweeping new nationwide study released today that included interviews with every known abortion provider in the country is unambiguous. Abortions are decreasing.

The study, conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, which researches issues related to reproductive health and sexuality, found that in 2005, the U.S. abortion rate fell to 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 to 44, the lowest level since 1974. The total number of abortions also declined, to a total of 1.2 million in 2005, well below the all-time high of 1.6 million abortions in 1990.
But the study raises a fascinating and tricky question: Why?
The researchers who conducted the study said they simply don't know, but they do have two theories.
One reason could be that since people now have easier access to contraception -- including emergency contraception like Plan B -- there are fewer unwanted pregnancies.

Another reason could be that there are also fewer abortion clinics.
"Eighty-seven percent of counties in the United States don't have an abortion provider," Rachel Jones of the Guttmacher Institute said. "Thirty-five percent of women live in those counties."

Activists on both sides of this debate have their own theories, and everyone's claiming victory.
Supporters of abortion rights say the decline is the result of the sex education and family planning they provide.

Opponents say more women are coming to grips with the horror of abortion, in part because of the increasing numbers of so-called crisis pregnancy centers, which set up near abortion clinics and offer services like ultrasounds to convince women to keep their babies. MORE

Panama Girl · #2 01-17-2008, 11:24 PM

I say it's because of the rising cost of fuel. If you can't afford to waste gas on going for a spin there's less chance that you'll end up in the back seat or go to some out-of-the-way motel.

Roogle · #3 01-17-2008, 11:42 PM

i say the numbers are skewed. They don't include the US population decreasing. So abortions would be down compared to the baby boomers.

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sidetraked · #4 01-18-2008, 06:38 AM

The decrease may be because of the 50 million + babies slaughtered sinde Roe vs Wade

Bada Bing · #5 01-18-2008, 07:26 AM

It's down. It's up. What does it matter? It is a big problem, too big for mere humans to solve. If it is wrong, let God take care of it. He would be the only one qualified to deal with a problem of this magnitude. In the meantime, we can do our part as humans. Completely separate this issue from politics. Or do we need God to do that for us as well?

Jessica · #6 01-18-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roogle

i say the numbers are skewed. They don't include the US population decreasing. So abortions would be down compared to the baby boomers.

Actually, U.S. birth rates have increased to record rates. We're in the middle of what is called a boomlet, which is sort of like a mini-boom. Birth rates in the U.S., unlike other industrialized countries, are the highest they've been in almost half a century.

What we actually have is more births and less abortions. Since the article quotes a raw number decrease and not a percentage decrase this can only mean two things:

1. The same amount of pregnancies are occurring with fewer abortions, leading to a higher birth rate.

2. More pregnanices are occurring, fewer abortions are taking place, birth rate increases.

One thing that cannot be happening is a lower instance of pregnancy. If fewer people were getting pregnant AND fewer people were having abortions, the birth rate could not possibly increase.

There are many theories as to why the birth rate is increasing, and only a few can correspond with the decrease in abortion services. One obviously being the lack of access to abortion clinics, and the other being the increase in the Hispanic population, which accounts for almost 25% of all U.S. births and has a fertility rate almost double the average American woman.

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rstonecousley · #7 01-18-2008, 09:47 PM

If you dig into the numbers you'll find that abortions were holding steady for a long time and then began dropping in early 2007. Coincidentally Anna-Nicole Smith died in February of 2007......i'm just saying........

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Kid Lester · #8 01-19-2008, 05:26 AM

It would be nice to think that maybe the current generation of younger adults has an overall disdain for abortion, while still recognizing the need to protect a woman's reproductive rights.

At least I think it would be nice. Because I think that's how the world should be.

Jessica · #9 01-19-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid Lester

It would be nice to think that maybe the current generation of younger adults has an overall disdain for abortion, while still recognizing the need to protect a woman's reproductive rights.

At least I think it would be nice. Because I think that's how the world should be.

It's possible. I don't think it's likely, just based on statistics I've read, but that's not to say it won't happen one day. I think that the current decrease is temporary.

Let's also remember that this article seems to be drawing statistics from LEGAL abortions. It says nothing about people who were unable to get a legal abortion and chose an unsafe, unsanitary way. If you think coat hangers and whiskey are a thing of the past, think again. I know for a fact that they're still in use in many lower income parts of the country, especially out west on Native American Reseverations and rural parts of the 4 Corners.

Curly · #10 01-19-2008, 04:38 PM

It's cheaper to keep them when the government is paying.

Abortions are Down Across the Country -- but Why?

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