Follow
Overall abortion rates have declined across the U.S. according an Associated Press survey.
Regardless of the color of the state, significant drops in abortion rates have been observed. The causes that led to this trend vary and are yet not defined, yet the results of the survey are relevant for all sides advocating for or against the right to abort.
Recent efforts by Republican states to promote legislation that bans abortions have been successful in some states. Nonetheless, there are two states were albeit the passing of such legislation, the number of abortions has in fact increased. These states are Louisiana and Michigan.
While both have passed anti-abortion legislation, the percentage of abortions increased 12 percent in Louisiana and 18.5 percent in Michigan in the period between 2010 and 2014.
Other states that have passed anti-abortion legislation, like Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, as well as Ohio registered a 15 percent drop in abortion rates since 2010.
Oregon, Washington, as well as New York, albeit keeping the right to abortion, also registered drops of approximately 15 percent in abortion rates.
Hawaii is the state that lead the decreasing trend, with a 30 percent drop in the same four year period. New Mexico is following closely with 24 percent less abortions. Rhode Island and Nevada have registered a 22 percent drop, while Connecticut is reported to have 21 percent less abortions.
According to the Associated Press report, over 70 abortion clinic closed their gates since 2010 in all states across the U.S. In Texas, there have been 27 clinics that closed their business, in Arizona and Michigan 12 clinics were reported to have closed. Ohio reported a number of 2 closed clinics, as well as Virginia.
As to what caused the significant drop in abortion rates across the U.S., opinions are split. Advocates of anti-abortion are hailing the results as the effects of implemented legislation that banned the medical process.
Others argue that the plunge mirrors the dropping rate in teen pregnancies, as well societal mentality shifts which indicate that women are increasingly choosing to carry pregnancies to term.
On the other hand, advocates for the right to abort are still holding that legislation to ban abortion is not needed as societal trends are indicative of a drop anyhow.
They would rather see the implementation of long-lasting contraceptive options for those who choose to use them.
Image Source: thinkprogress.com
