Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
I'd like to see some statistics that indicate that the number of abortions equals, or is half, the number of children born. (I'm not sure what you're claiming the number is, but it seems very high.) Also, statistics indicating those children--often of underage, poorly-educated, impoverished single mothers, would grow up to be tax paying adults.
To reduce abortions, educate kids about fertility ASAP, and give everyone access to effective birth control. Are you also counting the number of children who "would have been born" if their mothers hadn't been on the pill?
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There are many statistics, far to many to mention specifically here, but here is a statement from the
Alan Guttmacher Institute.
WHO HAS ABORTIONS? Eighteen percent of U.S. women obtaining abortions are teenagers; those aged 15-17 obtain 6% of all abortions, teens aged 18-19 obtain 11%, and teens under age 15 obtain 0.4%. [
6]
Women in their twenties account for more than half of all abortions; women aged 20–24 obtain 33% of all abortions, and women aged 25-29 obtain 24%. [
6]
Thirty percent of abortions occur to non-Hispanic black women, 36% to non-Hispanic white women, 25% to Hispanic women and 9% to women of other races. [
6]
Thirty-seven percent of women obtaining abortions identify as Protestant and 28% as Catholic.[
6]
Women who have never married and are not cohabiting account for 45% of all abortions.[
6]
About 61% of abortions are obtained by women who have one or more children.[
6]
Forty-two percent of women obtaining abortions have incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level ($10,830 for a single woman with no children). Twenty-seven percent of women obtaining abortions have incomes between 100-199% of the federal poverty level.
* [
6]
The reasons women give for having an abortion underscore their understanding of the responsibilities of parenthood and family life. Three-fourths of women cite concern for or responsibility to other individuals; three-fourths say they cannot afford a child; three-fourths say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or the ability to care for dependents; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.[
7]
Similar statistics are available via the US Center for Disease Control
Here is a compendium article at Wikipedia that includes references and charts including income levels.
Facts demonstrate that between 45 and 50 million children. Looking back over the statistics I will stand corrected that it does not show 50% abortion rate. The number is more like 25%-35%. 3.1-4.2 million live births per year for .8-1.4 million abortions per year. The rate in the survey has been declining in recent years according to poles, but California, New Hampshire and Oklahoma have not reported since 1998. The population of California in particular being absent severely skews the numbers.