1. RELIGION, VALUES, AND EXPERIENCES:
BLACK AND HISPANIC AMERICAN ATTITUDES ON
ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES
Findings from the African American & Hispanic
Reproductive Issues Survey
Public
Religion Analysis by
Research Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO
Institute Daniel Cox, Director of Research

2. The African American & Hispanic
Reproductive Issues Survey
• One of the most comprehensive public opinion surveys ever conducted
on abortion and religion among African Americans and Hispanics:
– 810 interviews among Black Americans, MOE +/- 5.1
– 813 interviews among Hispanic Americans, MOE +/- 4.7
– Conducted online among national probability sample using Knowledge
Networks KnowledgePanel between June 14 – June 23, 2012
• Focus Groups among African Americans and Hispanics
• Funded with generous support from the Ford Foundation
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 2

3. THE CONTEXT
Issue Priorities
The Election
Views on Contraception
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 3

4. Critical Issues Facing the Country
Critical Issues Facing the Country
Percent who say it is a critical issue
80 Hispanic Americans Black Americans 75
71
70
60 56
52 50
49 48
50 45
40
40
30
30 26
23
20 17 18
10
0
Abortion Same-sex Immigration Growing gap The federal Education The economy
marriage between rich deficit
and poor
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 4

5. Presidential Vote – Black and Hispanic
Voters
Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney Among Voters
Barack Obama Mitt Romney Other/Refused (VOL.)
100
90 87
80
70
58
60
50
40 32
30
20
10 10
10 3
0
All Black American Voters All Hispanic Voters
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 5

6. Presidential Vote – Black and Hispanic
Voters
Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney
Among Hispanic Voters
Barack Obama Mitt Romney Other/Refused (VOL.)
70
64
60 58
50
50
41
40
32
30 27
20
10 9
10 8
0
All Hispanic Voters Hispanic Catholic Voters Hispanic Protestant Voters
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 6

7. Support for Contraception Policies
Support for Contraception Policies
Black Americans Hispanic Americans
100 92
90 85
80
70 64
61 59
60 54
50
40
30
20
10
0
Favor expanding access to birth Believe Religiously affiliated Agree methods of birth control
control for women who cannot hospitals should provide birth should be generally available to
afford it control to employees teenagers (16+)
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 7

8. COMPLEXITY OF VIEWS ON ABORTION
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 8

9. Legality of Abortion
Legality of Abortion Legality of Abortion
Among Black Americans Among Hispanic Americans
4 Legal in all cases Legal in all cases
10 4
26 18
Legal in most Legal in most
22
cases cases
20 Illegal in most Illegal in most
cases cases
Illegal in all Illegal in all
cases 28 cases
Refused (VOL.) Refused
41 29
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810
Black Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 9

10. Circumstances Under Which a Woman
Should Be Able to Obtain an Abortion
Circumstances in Which a Woman Should Be Able to Obtain an Abortion
Percent who say it should be possible
90 Black Americans Hispanic Americans
80
80
68 65
70
61
60
50 44 44
38
40 34 34
29
30
20
10
0
If she became If there is a strong If the family has a If she is still in high If she is not married
pregnant as the chance of serious very low income and school and does not want
result of rape defect in the baby cannot afford any to marry the man
more children
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 African
Americans; 813 Hispanics)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 10

11. "Pro-Life" & "Pro-Choice" Labels
The Complexity of "Pro-Life" & "Pro-Choice" Labels
Pro-choice (Strong) Pro-choice (Weak) Mixed/No Identity Pro-life (Weak) Pro-life (Strong)
60
52
50 47
40 37
30
25
23
21
20 17 17
13 14
12
10 6 6
5 4
0
All Americans Black Americans Hispanic Americans
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans); Public Religion Research Institute, Religion, Millennials and Abortion Survey, May 2011
(N=3,000)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 11

12. Morality of Personal Behaviors
Morality of Personal Behaviors
Among respondents who say abortion is morally wrong
Black Americans Hispanic Americans
70
61 60 61
60 58
55
51
50
41
40 36
30
20
14
12
10
0
Sex between two adults of the same and young woman under theHaving a child without being married
Sex between a young man gender Having an abortion 18 artificial birth control methods also known as
age of
Using
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 12

13. Morality and Legality of Abortion
Legality of Abortion
Among respondents who say abortion is morally wrong
Legal in all cases Legal in most cases Illegal in most cases Illegal in all cases
Hispanic Americans 6 19 40 33
Black Americans 12 40 30 16
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 13

14. Values and the Issue of Abortion
Values Informing Beliefs on the Issue of Abortion
Percent who say value is very important
Black Americans Hispanic Americans
80 72 72
68 68 70
70 65 63
60 57
60 56 55
52
50
40
30
20
10
0
Not judging other Showing Protecting Promoting Protecting the Protecting
people compassion for women’s personal sanctity of life religious liberty
women in freedom to make responsibility
difficult their own
circumstances decisions
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 14

15. PREDICTORS OF ATTITUDES ON
LEGALITY OF ABORTION
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 15

16. Hearing About Political and Social Issues in
Church
Hearing About Political and Social Issues in the Church
Percentage who hear their clergy talk about the issue often or sometimes
Black Americans Hispanic Americans
60
54 54
49 48
50 47 47
43
40
40
30
30
20
20
10
0
Economic inequality Racism or The issue of The issue of abortion Immigration
discrimination homosexuality
Note: Among respondents who attend church at least once or twice a month
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 16

17. Disagreeing with Church Teachings
Is it possible to disagree with the Church's teachings on the
issue of abortion and still be considered a good
Catholic/Christian?
90 Possible Not Possible
78
80
70
60
60
50
38
40
30
19
20
10
0
Black Americans Hispanic Americans
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 17

18. Predictors of Opposition to Abortion:
African Americans
• Have no high school degree
• Say religion is most important thing
• No close friend/family member who had an
abortion
• Identify as born-again/evangelical Christian
• Attend religious services weekly or more
• Believe the Bible is the literal word of God
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810
Black Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 18

19. Predictors of Opposition to Abortion:
Hispanic Americans
• Identify as born-again/evangelical Christian
• Identify as conservative
• Attend religious services weekly or more
• Have no high school degree
• Under age 65
• No close friend/family member who had an
abortion
• Believe in personal God
• First generation immigrant
• Identify as Catholic
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810
Black Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 19

20. Knowing Someone Who Has Had an
Abortion
Do You Have a Close Friend or Family Member Who Has Had
an Abortion?
70 Yes No
57 59
60
50
40 39
40
30
20
10
0
Black Americans Hispanic Americans
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 20

21. Abortion Clinic Safety
Do You Think Abortion Clinics Are Safe?
Very safe Somewhat safe Not too safe Not at all safe
Hispanic Americans 9 38 26 24
Black Americans 17 49 20 12
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810 Black
Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 21

22. How Experiences Influence Attitudes on the
Legality of Abortion among Black Americans
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American/Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810
Black Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 22

23. How Experiences Influence Attitudes on the
Legality of Abortion among Hispanic Americans
Source: Public Religion Research Institute, African American/Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey, June 2012 (N=810
Black Americans; 813 Hispanic Americans)
Findings from the African American & Hispanic Reproductive Issues Survey 23

24. RELIGION, VALUES, AND EXPERIENCES:
BLACK AND HISPANIC AMERICAN ATTITUDES ON
ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES
Findings from the African American & Hispanic
Reproductive Issues Survey
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Public
Religion Analysis by
Research Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO
Institute Daniel Cox, Director of Research