Conference proceeding
A Report on 1,000 Men and the Impact of Abortion on Men and Their Family Life
American Sociological Association
01 Jan 1984
Abstract
With the cooperation in 1983 of 30 abortion clinics in 18 states, a convenience sample of 1,000 waiting-room Ms completed a 102-item questionnaire. Rs were single (60%), "living together" (12%), & married (18%), with 87% of the husbands accompanying their wives. Unwed Ms were in stable, long-term relationships (57% were steady dating; 22% were engaged). Two-thirds were under 26; 45% had only a high-school diploma or less; 27% were Coll students. One-third were Catholic; 45%, Protestant; & 15% had no religious affiliation. About 33% of the Ms felt the experience was helping to bring the couple closer together, & only 3% thought it was contributing to a breakup. Data were explored on moral ambiguity (26% of the 1,000 Ms felt abortion was the killing of a M), emotional reticence (75% had discussed their options with no one other than their sex partner), & stressful expectations (47% believed Ms in their position generally had disturbing thoughts about it afterward). While 80% of Rs wanted husbands to have as much say in the decision as their wives, only 1% wanted them to have more say. Similarly, while 17% felt abortion was immoral, 83% opposed outlawing this option. Above all, many felt frustrated by their inability to accompany their partner during the procedure or her stay in the recovery room (options desired by 75%, but denied by 24 of the 30 clinics). Not surprisingly, 93% indicated they would be more careful about risking pregnancy after this abortion (though 25% were already repeaters).
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Details
- Title
- A Report on 1,000 Men and the Impact of Abortion on Men and Their Family Life
- Creators
- Arthur Shostak
- Publication Details
- American Sociological Association
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Culture and Communication [Historical]
- Identifiers
- 991020705491004721