The National Opinion and Research Center's General Social
Survey is one of the most highly respected personal interview surveys in
the United States. It covers an exceptionally broad variety of topics on
a regular basis and emphasizes replication of questions or series of questions
to measure public opinion on a given topic over time. As we have discussed
in class, the way an interview question is worded will affect the outcome
(or the responses people give). The following tables were taken from the
General Social Survey on the Web-- http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/GSS99/about/gss/gssintro.htm.
Examine each of the questions presented below along with its related table.
Under what circumstances is there a majority of support for abortion? When
is the public not likely to support abortion? Note that there are several
questions that seek public opinion about a woman's decision to have an
abortion for any reason (or under any circumstances). These questions do
not produce the same results? What do you think is the reason for this?
Palen defines social problems as "…issues that substantial numbers of the society view as violations of society's social norms or expectations, and about which people believe something can and should be done." (p. 10) In this sense, is abortion a social problem in the United States? Or, is the controversy over abortion (and the sharply divided public sentiment it generates) a social problem? Palen addresses the future of this issue on page 165. Note: Permission has been obtained from NORC to reprint the following tables. |
206. Please tell me whether or not you think it should be
possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion if. . .READ
EACH STATEMENT, AND CIRCLE ONE CODE FOR EACH.
A. If there is a strong chance of serious defect in the baby?
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206. Please tell me whether or not you think it should be
possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion if. . .READ
EACH STATEMENT, AND CIRCLE ONE CODE FOR EACH.
B. If she is married and does not want any more children?
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206. Please tell me whether or not you think it should be
possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion if. . .READ
EACH STATEMENT, AND CIRCLE ONE CODE FOR EACH.
E. If she became pregnant as a result of rape?
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206. Please tell me whether or not you think it should be
possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion if. . .READ
EACH STATEMENT, AND CIRCLE ONE CODE FOR EACH.
F. If she is not married and does not want to marry the man?
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206. Please tell me whether or not you think it should be
possible for a pregnant woman to obtain a legal abortion if. . .READ
EACH STATEMENT, AND CIRCLE ONE CODE FOR EACH.
G. The woman wants it for any reason?
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251. Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances,
legal only under certain circumstances, or never legal under any circumstance?
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626. Do you agree or disagree . . .
C. A pregnant woman should be able to obtain a legal abortion for
any reason whatsoever, if she chooses not to have the baby.
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