Abortions Decline, Demographics Shift and More Women are Childless

The demographics of women having abortions has dramatically changed in the past 30 years from white unwed teenagers in the 1970’s to minority women in their 20’s and 30’s having more abortions today.

There has been an overall drop in the abortion rate, including under Pres. Bush (despite to Barack Obama’s assertion to the contrary), and in fact abortions fell in 2004 to their lowest levels since Roe Vs. Wade.

Since 1974, the number of women having abortions under 20 has decreased (33% to 17 percent) while they have increased for women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Hispanic and black women obtain a disproportionate number of abortions compared to whites.

Rachel Jones of the Guttmacher Institute said:

“We’ve made the most important progress in reducing teen pregnancy and abortion rate, [rather] than reducing unintended pregnancy in older women.”

The number of abortions performed for women who already had a child also increased from 46% to 60% and the number of women choosing not to have children at all is also increasing. 20% of all women between the ages of 40-44 have no children and women with advanced degrees are more likely to be childless

What is happening? It’s simple.

Since abortion became legal in 1974, the value of children declined, more women thought having a career superior to having a family, and with social stigmas attached to unmarried sex evaporating, women have been able to “have it all”.

But at what price?

With abortions declining in the white population and increasing in black communities, maybe this would be a good time for Barack Obama to put his money where his mouth is and advocate fewer abortions among his own constituents.

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Comments

[Gold]

It is the teen celebacy movement.

[grumpy old fart]

So, white women have improved their economic status by not having as many children, but black women should keep on having as many as possible?

[Amy Proctor]

No, white women are not having as many abortions and black women should follow suit.

I'd also suggest that morality is color blind, as is immorality.

[Gabriel]

Hey, Amy! I enjoyed this post. I stumbled across it researching some abortion statistics. Keep doing what you're doing!