December 03, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - American adults remain divided over current regulations regarding pregnancy termination, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 42 per cent of respondents say abortion should be legal under any or most circumstances, 39 per cent would consent to the procedure in only a few occasions, and 16 per cent would make it illegal in all cases.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - American adults remain divided over current regulations regarding pregnancy termination, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 42 per cent of respondents say abortion should be legal under any or most circumstances, 39 per cent would consent to the procedure in only a few occasions, and 16 per cent would make it illegal in all cases.

A Supreme Court ruling in 1973 gave American women the right to an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, and regulated the procedure during the second trimester "in ways that are reasonably related to maternal health." In the third trimester, a state can choose to proscribe abortion, except when necessary "for the preservation of the life or health of the mother."

As far as specific proposals, 69 per cent of respondents would support a law requiring women under 18 to get parental consent for any abortion, and 64 per cent support legislation to mandate that the husband of a married woman be notified if she decides to have an abortion. Only 37 per cent of respondents would support a constitutional amendment to ban abortion in all circumstances, except when necessary to save the life of the mother.

At least 15 American states have enacted legislation dubbed as "Woman's Right to Know." The rules indicate that detailed information about the procedure must be provided to a woman seeking an abortion, and a 24-hour period must be allowed for her to ponder her choices.

Polling Data

Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?

	Nov. 2005	Jun. 2005	May 2005
Under any circumstances	26%	24%	23%
Under most circumstances	16%	15%	12%
Under only a few circumstances	39%	40%	40%
Illegal in all circumstances	16%	20%	22%

Next, do you favour or oppose each of the following proposals.

	Favour	Oppose
A law requiring women under 18 to get parental consent for any abortion	69%	28%
A law requiring that the husband of a married woman be notified if she decides to have an abortion	64%	34%
A constitutional amendment to ban abortion in all circumstances, except when necessary to save the life of the mother	37%	61%

Source: Gallup / CNN / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,006 American adults, conducted from Nov. 11 to Nov. 13, 2005. Margin of error is 4 per cent.