Abortion rates in the United States : the influence of opinion and policy / Matthew E. Wetstein
- Bib ID:
- 2518630
- Format:
- Book
- Author:
- Wetstein, Matthew E., 1963-
- Description:
-
- Albany : State University of New York Press, c1996
- xv, 153 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
- ISBN:
-
- 0791428486 (alkaline paper) (paperback)
- 0791428478 (alkaline paper) (hardback)
- Series:
- SUNY series in health care politics and policy.
- Summary:
-
Few studies make a direct connection between public opinion, public policies, and the behavior of the mass public. This book demonstrates for the first time that such a connection can be found when examining abortion politics in the United States. Using public opinion data for all fifty states, the author demonstrates the state policies to restrict abortion closely match the preferences of the mass public. More important, he shows a profound link between public opinion on abortion and abortion rates in the United States. Where state publics are more permissive in their attitudes toward abortion, state policies tend to be more permissive, and rates of abortion utilization tend to be higher.
The book also explores the impact of policy changes on abortion rates. Using sophisticated statistical techniques, the author examines policy changes at both the state and national level. The analysis points to an intriguing paradox: national policy changes have no real effect on abortion rates, yet state policy changes do. This finding suggests that the states are the place to look for significant changes in abortion utilization in response to policy.
- Full contents:
-
- 1. The Link Between Public Opinion and Policy
- 2. The Supreme Court and Abortion Policy
- 3. The Impact of Policy Change: Courts and Legislatures
- 4. The Structure and Stability of Attitudes on Abortion
- 5. State Public Opinion and Abortion Policy
- 6. Abortion Policy in the United States
- 7. Explaining Abortion Rates in the United States
- 8. Conclusion.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 131-143) and index.
- Subject:
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Published
- Publication date:
- 1996
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