Abortion in the USA

Abortion

1910

nationwide ban of abortion "a way to get upper-class white women to have more children."

History of Abortion rights

1960's - 1970's

Unban in Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Washington.

1973

"Over the years, a vocal minority of socially conservative Americans have steadily gained political power, passed many state-level challenges to the decision and, in some extreme cases, resorted to violence and intimidation in an attempt to reduce access to abortion." https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/abortion-rulings-history-roe-v-wade

Roe v. Wade landmark decision stating that the Constitution protects the right to abortion.

1976

Hyde Amendment, abortion is not covered by Medicaid.

2022

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overruling Roe v. Wade decision.

Source : Planned Parenthood (2022)

Abortion laws today

Source : Planned Parenthood (2025)

Results of a survey made a year after the ending of the constitutional right to abort.

36%

62%

of adults were totally against the practice of abortion nationwide.

of adults were for its legalization nationwide.

Source : Survey conducted by Pew Research Center (2023)

The changing numbers of legal abortions in the U.S since the 1970's

"After nationwide legalization of abortion in 1973, the total number, rate, and ratio of reported abortions increased rapidly, reaching the highest levels in the 1990s, before decreasing at a slow yet steady pace." https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7110a1.htm#introduction:~:text=After%20nationwide%20legalization,yet%20steady%20pace

Source : Pew Research Center (2021)

Conclusion

Up to 42% of unintended pregnancies in the United States end in abortion" according to CDC.

Sources

• Pew Research Center
• Wikipedia (only to educate myself on the subject)
• CDC (us centers for disease control and prevention)
• Planned Parenthood
• The Guardian