Abortion attitudes among youth before and after abortion ban in Poland

Abstract

Objectives: To compare attitudes toward abortion among youth before and after the Polish Constitutional Tribunal introduced abortion ban in October 2020.

Study design: The study uses two nationally representative samples of final-year secondary school students conducted in Poland before (year 2018, N = 1609) and after the abortion ban (year 2021, N = 1513).

Results: The support for abortion increased between 2018 and 2021 (OR=2.77 in foetus impairment case; OR=2.58 in mother's health at risk case). The increase was stronger among females than males.

Conclusions: Youth accept abortion more in 2021. The increase may be linked to the Tribunal Court decision and youth involvement in massive demonstrations.

Keywords: Abortion attitudes; Abortion ban; Gender; Poland; Youth.