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A new survey from the Knights of Columbus–Marist Poll, Americans' Opinions on Abortion, is shedding light on the opinions of Americans in regards to abortion. The study, which questioned 1,025 US adults, was taken between January 6 and January 9, 2023, and was conducted in English and Spanish.
Abortion laws
When asked to what degree abortion should be legally restricted in the US, 69% of those surveyed supported the restriction of abortion after the first three months of pregnancy. Only 10% said they would allow abortions through the first 6 months, but 21% said that abortion should be available at any time during a pregnancy.
Broken down by political affiliation, 93% of Republicans would limit abortions to the first trimester, while only 49% of Democrats answered the same. Independents were also more likely to call for restrictions after three months, with 70% answering in favor.
There was, however, resounding bipartisan support in response to whether or not abortion laws are capable of protecting both the mother and the child. Ninety percent of respondents believed that laws could be put into place that would benefit both parties, with 95% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats in agreement.
Pregnancy resources and tax dollars
One of the most surprising finds of the survey was seen in the support that Americans have for pregnancy resource centers, which offer support to mothers before and after a baby is born. A resounding 91% of respondents voiced support for pregnancy resource centers, with pro-life and pro-choice proponents coming close to a consensus, with 95% and 88% respectively.
Furthermore, respondents did not voice a lot of support for using tax dollars to fund abortions. A solid 3 in 5 (60%) said that they opposed government funded abortion domestically. This sentiment only grew in regards to funds for abortions abroad. Nearly 4 in 5 respondents (78%) opposed or strongly opposed the use of US taxes to fund abortions in other nations.
More key findings
Overall, the results of the survey showed that the majority of Americans are in favor of protecting the lives of those in the womb. This includes in cases of children with Down syndrome, with 60% of respondents indicating that they believe children with this condition should be protected. A further 94% opposed abortion based on the gender of the child.
Most Americans are also in favor of giving doctors a break when it comes to their consciences. Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they do not believe a doctor should be made to perform an abortion if they do not want to. To a smaller degree, this is extended to organizations with religious objections to abortion, with 55% stating that such groups should not be legally required to provide insurance coverage for abortion.
