Washington D.C., Oct 1, 2009 / 14:17 pm
Americans’ support for abortion has reached a new historic low, especially among Catholics, according to the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.
The new poll, conducted from Aug. 11-27 among a total of 4,013 adults, reveals less support for abortion among most demographic and political groups. The survey also finds that the abortion debate has receded in importance among liberals, while opposition to abortion has grown more firm among conservatives.
According to a statement issued by Pew Research Center, “no single reason for the shift in opinions is apparent, but the pattern of changes suggests that the election of a pro-choice Democrat for president may be a contributing factor.”
“In Pew Research Center polls in 2007 and 2008, supporters of legal abortion clearly outnumbered opponents. Now Americans are evenly divided on the question, and there have been modest increases in the numbers who favor reducing abortions or making them harder to obtain,” the statement says.