Abortion.
What comes to mind when you read that word?
Murder? Choice?
The topic of abortion has long been a hot button issue and in recent days been on my heart. I personally have always been pro-life. The mere thought of killing an innocent baby makes me sad and angry. This stance recently had me labeled as dangerous. That hurt a bit, but at the same time I respect that persons opinion. She believes that because I do not think that the murder of over 53 million innocent babies is acceptable, that I am a threat to her rights as a woman. Funny thing is that beyond the abortion issue I do not want to control what women do with their bodies. I don't want to limit their access to birth control or healthcare. I do however want women (and men) to take a better look at the abortion issue and begin to see beyond the lie of it's only tissue and see that it is, from the very beginning a baby whose needs to be protected.
Earlier this week I posted a survey on Facebook and asked some questions regarding the Pro-Choice/Pro-Life debate. My husband asked me what the point of the survey was and I readily had an answer. I was just curious.
Over the past 4 days, 24 people completed the survey. This is by no means a scientific or official research survey. Rather just the response that I received from people after I shared the link as my Status on Monday night. If you would like to take the completely anonymous survey you are welcome to do so. CLICK HERE
I am not going to comment on the results given below. At this time I am only sharing what my informal survey discovered.
I appreciate the time that the 24 people took to sit down and answer these questions.
SURVEY RESULTS (as of 9:27pm 02/23/2012)
Gender
6 - Male
18 - Female
What is your political affiliation?
10 - Republican
2 - Democrat
6 - Independent
4 - Other, please specify
"I do not have one, but trend to conservative"
"I have no particular affiliation"
"Ron Paul revolution"
"None"
What is your religious affiliation?
3 - Evangelical Protestant
1 - Mainline Protestant
13 - Christian Non-Denominational
1 - Catholic
1 - Atheist
4 - Other, please specify.
"I do not have a religious affiliation. I am born again."
"Truth is truth regardless of religion"
"Raised Catholic, but don't follow it"
"Christian - Baptist"
What do you think is the most common reason given for an abortion?
15 - Having a baby would dramatically change my life
4 - Can't afford a baby now
2 - Husband or partner wants me to have an abortion
3 - Not ready for a(nother) child
A 2004 study by the Guttmacher Institute found that 74% of women gave "having a baby would dramatically change my life" as the reason for their abortion. 73% said "Can't afford a baby now"
Do you think abortion should generally be legal or generally illegal during each of the following stages of pregnancy?
First Trimester (0-12 weeks):
6 - Legal
18 - Illegal
Second Trimester (13-28 weeks)
2 - Legal
22 - Illegal
Third Trimester (29-40 weeks)
0 - Legal
24 - Illegal
Abortion should be legal...
9 - When the woman's life is endangered
7 - When the woman's physical health is endangered
7 - When the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest
5 - When there is evidence that the baby may be physically impaired
4 - When there is evidence that the baby may be mentally impaired
3 - When the mother/family cannot afford to raise the child
4 - In all circumstances
13 - Never
**Respondents could choose more than one answer**
I support...
15 - A law requiring doctors to inform patients about alternatives to abortion before performing the procedure
12 - A law requiring women seeking abortions to wait 24 hours before having the procedure done
12 - A law requiring women under 18 to get parental consent for any abortion
11 - A law requiring that the husband of a married woman be notified if she decides to have an abortion
8 - None of the above
**Respondents could choose more than one answer**
Birth control should be available to teens
5 - Without parental consent at any age
4 - Without parental consent at age 16
12 - With parental consent until age 18
6 - Teens should not be given access to birth control until age 18
**Respondents could choose more than one answer**
Are you...
17 - Pro-Life
3 - Pro-Choice
4 - Pro-Choice, but I could never have an abortion
Why are you pro-choice?
"It's an easy fix to a huge problem. A couple should be able to choose to have kids when they are ready."
"Because pro-choice does not mean pro-abortion. It means that a woman has the right to make a decision that affects her own life."
"Cause I feel it's every woman's choice to do it. I would never for myself. I do feel it's an easy way out for some."
"It's not for me to judge what other people do. Karma is a bitch!"
"I don't think people should get the, but I don't believe that anyone has the right to tell you what you can and cannot do with your body"
"Religion has no place in lawmaking"
Life begins at...
1 - No Answer
2 - At Birth
16 - Conception
1 - Not Sure
1 - "Right Away"
1 - "Conception - the moment the Lord starts knitting that baby together in the mother's womb"
1 - "At conception. Sperm egg fusion creates a new set of DNA unique to itself..."
1 - "The moment God joins the egg and sperm and that is attached to the lining of the uterus"
Have you had an abortion? (Please remember this survey is anonymous)
23 - No
1 - Yes
Do you feel that you were fully informed of your options prior to your abortion?
1 - Yes
What was your reason for an abortion?
1 - Having a baby now would dramatically change my life
At what age did you have an abortion?
20
Have you experienced feelings of regret or guilt after your abortion?
Yes
