WASHINGTON — Support for abortion rights among American women is declining. The study by the Center for the Advancement of Women showed 51 percent of women now believe abortion should be legally prohibited in the overwhelming percentage of cases. The survey, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates, found 17 percent believe there should be a total ban on abortion, while 34 percent say it should be outlawed, except in cases of saving the mother’s life and pregnancy as a result of rape or incest. The figures in both categories are 3 percent increases over 2001 results.
Overall, the survey found 68 percent believe there should be more restrictions on abortion than now exist. Of these, 17 percent said abortion should be available but “under stricter limits.” Thirty percent said it “should be generally available to those who want it.”
The new study also found abortion is not as important to women. Of 12 issues listed in the survey, “keeping abortion legal” ranked 11th as a “top priority.” Only 41 percent of women ranked abortion as a “top priority” — 8 percent less than in 2001. At the top of the ranking for priority issues were “reducing domestic violence and sexual assault,” 92 percent, and “equal pay for equal work,” 90 percent.
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