There's been a surprising new twist in the fight over abortion rights in America: Fewer women are exercising them. The abortion rate has dropped by about 12 percent in the last five years, according to a survey by The Associated Press.
Sure, many states have passed restrictive laws for abortion clinics, which may have contributed to drops there. But the declines also occurred in states that didn't pass such laws. In fact, the states with the biggest drops—like Hawaii, New Mexico, and Nevada—didn't pass any laws making it tougher to access abortion clinics at all.
Only two states saw a rise in abortions: Louisiana and Michigan, which ostensibly saw these upticks because women from neighboring states with more restrictive laws crossed state lines to terminate their pregnancies.
Anti-abortion advocates say this drop is because of a societal shift in which women are opting to carry their children to term rather than get abortions. But pro-choice advocates say it's because more women have access to effective contraception, especially long-acting forms like IUDs. Either way, one undeniable factor is the drop in teen pregnancies, which keep getting rarer every year. And that's something we can all agree is a good thing.
-
Kylie Jenner and I Share The Same Favorite Phone Case BrandThe serotonin-boosting case I can't go a day without.
-
The 14 Must-Haves Marie Claire Editors Are Buying During Nordstrom's Enormous Sale
Thousands of cult products are discounted during Nordstrom's Half-Yearly Sale—but they're going fast.
-
I Went to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour—Here's My Guide to Eras Dressing
Broken down by Era, duh.
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to Men
It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
Post-Roe, Pregnant People Will Become Suspects
“We anticipate a very dramatic increase in the rate of criminalization of all pregnancy outcomes.”
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.
Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court Is Hearing Arguments in a Case That Could Overturn 'Roe v. Wade'
'Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization' is the most consequential abortion rights case in decades.
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the Organization
Under Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State Legislators
Emily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
-
Your Abortion Questions, Answered
Here, MC debunks common abortion myths you may be increasingly hearing since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect.
-
Trump Vows to Appoint Pro-Life Judge to Supreme Court
In a new interview with 60 Minutes, the President Elect confirms his stance on Roe v. Wade.
