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Beyond Pro-Life and Pro-Choice
Beyond Pro-Life and Pro-Choice
By Laura Frechette
OVERVIEW
Introduction
Literature Review
Theory and Purpose
Thesis
Methods
Findings
Discussion
INTRODUCTION
Saint Mary’s College is a
all women’s, Catholic
liberal arts institution
Approximately 1500
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territories and 12 foreign
countries. Multicultural
and international students
represent 9% of the student
body
INTRODUCTION
Pro-Life:
– A political and ethical view which maintains
that all human beings have the right to life,
and including fetuses and embryos. Abortion
infringes on a fetus’ or embryo’s human
right to life.
Pro-Choice:
– It is a pregnant woman’s human right to
control the fertility of her own body by
choosing whether to become pregnant or to
carry a pregnancy to term.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Abortion Attitudes
National Affects of Religion
– Scott and Schuman: 1988 – Catholics for a Free Choice:
2003
– Blake and Del Pinal: 1981
College Attitudes
International
– Bryan and Freed: 1992
– Catholics for a Free Choice: 2003
– Yeager: 2005
Affects of Gender
– Roman and Lester: 1999
– Phifer and Lester: 2000
Affects of Age
– Boggess and Bradner: 2000
Affects of Race
– Boggess and Bradner: 2000
– Ellison, Erevarria, and Smith:
2005
PURPOSE and THESIS
This study aims at exploring the gap in a
attitudinal abortion research from a
sociological standpoint. It also will analyze
the how the issue of abortion is socially
constructed within the unique, all women’s
environment present at Saint Mary’s College.
Respondent Class Age Geograp hical Race Reli gion Poli tical
Number Location Affili ation
1 Senior 21 IN White United Republi can
Methodist
2 Senior 21 IN White Roman No
Catholi c
3 First- 18 MI White Roman Republi can
Year Catholi c
4 Senior 21 PA White Roman Moderate
Catholi c
“I use to be totally against it. But probably a month ago all the
sudden, I mean I don’t think its right, but at the same time,
it’s a women’s body and its just, during the 1st month or so, I
mean it’s still bad to me and I would never do it, but I am
not as judgmental towards people that do because obviously
they have their reasons.”
FINDINGS:
Respondents’ Current Attitudes Towards
Abortion
42.9 % (3/7) Seniors and 33.3% (2/6) First-Years described
themselves as “Pro-Life.” However, 28.6% (2/7) Seniors
and 16.7% (1/6) First-Years said “Pro-Life” but continued
with “except in the case of rape or incest.”
33.3%(2/6) of First-Years described that they believed
abortion was killing an innocent life.
0% of respondents identified themselves as “Pro-Choice.”
28.6% (2/7) Seniors and 16.7% (1/6) First-Years believed in
“the women’s right to choose.”
28.6% (2/7) Seniors and 16.7% (1/6) First-Years expressed
that though they would not have one themselves, they
disagree that it should be illegalized.
FINDINGS:
Respondents’ Current Attitudes Towards
Abortion
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