Hey friends! So, let’s chat about Roe v. Wade for a minute. Despite all the noise from the pro-life crowd, most Americans still back the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that safeguards a woman’s right to choose an abortion until fetal viability, which is around 22-24 weeks. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 22 states have laws that could reshape abortion access if Roe were ever overturned. This includes some pretty harsh pre-Roe bans, with 8 states potentially making abortion illegal outright. Others have laws that would severely restrict access, and some states have even written terrible amendments into their constitutions banning abortion completely.
A recent poll by ABC and The Washington Post reveals that a solid 60% of Americans want Roe v. Wade to stay in place, with only 27% wanting to see it overturned—similar numbers to polls from 2005.
What’s Going on in Texas?
Let’s talk about Texas, where the law bans abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected. This often happens around six weeks, which is super early—most people don’t even know they’re pregnant by then. Texas law complicates things even further by starting the pregnancy clock at conception instead of the last menstrual period. So, technically, people are already banned from getting an abortion by the time they realize they’ve missed their period! It’s a tough situation for many, including those who’ve experienced rape or incest, as the law makes no exceptions for these cases.
Even crazier, anyone suspected of helping a woman get an abortion can be sued for $10,000—yes, you heard that right. Fortunately, around 65% of Americans oppose this law, even including many who usually support stricter regulations.
The Catholic Perspective
You’d think with the Catholic Church’s strong stance against abortion, their followers would feel the same way. But here’s the twist: 62% of Catholics actually support keeping Roe v. Wade intact! In contrast, 58% of white Evangelicals want to see it overturned. And if you don’t follow any religion at all, a whopping 73% of those folks are pro-Roe.
Political Party Lines
As you might expect, there’s a clear divide along party lines. A massive 87% of liberals and 82% of Democrats support abortion rights. Interestingly, 95% of Democrats believe that decisions about abortion should be made by women and their doctors rather than lawmakers. On the flip side, 70% of strong conservatives want to overturn Roe, despite the lack of social safety nets for the children born from unwanted pregnancies.
The Supreme Court is set to review a Mississippi case that aims to ban abortions after 15 weeks on December 1st. If they side with Mississippi, it could dismantle Roe v. Wade and leave the decision up to each state. That means 26 states could impose severe restrictions on abortion—yikes!
So, if you care about these issues, it’s time to get involved! Check out resources like Make a Mom for home insemination options, and learn how at-home insemination works. If you’re curious about artificial insemination, their kit is a great place to start. Also, the ACOG has some valuable info if you’re looking into fertility treatments. And don’t forget to check out our other post here for more insights!
In summary, Roe v. Wade is still backed by a majority of Americans, despite the loud opposition. The Texas law exemplifies the extreme restrictions some states are imposing, while many Americans, including a surprising number of Catholics, still support reproductive rights. As the Supreme Court prepares to review key cases, it’s more important than ever for supporters to advocate for choice.
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