The Politics of Choice: Key Predictors of Abortion Attitudes, 1972-2020

This research explores the factors influencing shifts in public attitudes toward abortion in the United States from 1972 to 2020. Using data from the American National Election Studies (ANES), a logistic regression model is employed to examine the impact of ten independent variables, including church attendance, party identification, income, and education, on support for legal abortion. Findings reveal that frequent church attendance, liberal ideology, high levels of income, and higher education significantly shape abortion attitudes, with liberal ideologies, high levels of income, and higher education all correlating with pro-choice perspectives. These results offer insights into the interplay between demographic trends and societal attitudes, demonstrating how cultural and political shifts influence public opinion on reproductive rights. This analysis provides a basis for understanding evolving perspectives and informing policy discussions in our contemporary legal landscape.