27th Annual Student Research Conference
Abortion Access and Incidence: Do Legal Restrictions Result in Fewer Abortions?
Mandi M. Brehm
Dr. Margaret Edwards, Faculty Mentor
Various U.S. states have enacted restrictions that limit access to abortion, with over 205 restrictions enacted between 2011- and 2013. This investigation seeks to identify the impact of legal barriers to abortion services on the overall rate of abortions per state. I intend to analyze both legal and illegal abortion rates to determine how they are impacted by these new state restrictions. By looking at social, demographic, political and legal factors, I identify explanations for the differences across states, and I raise important questions regarding the consequences of recent laws. If legal restrictions on abortion do nothing to lower overall abortion rates, why are states pursuing these policies? More than that, if they do impact legal abortion rates, are there other consequences for womens reproductive health? This research bridges a multitude of disciplines, including public health, ethics, feminist philosophy, and political science.
Keywords: abortion, reproductive rights, abortion restrictions
Topic(s):Political Science
Women's and Gender Studies
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 209-3
Location: VH 1010
Time: 10:00