By Billy HallowellEditor
July 14, 2022
Research firm The Generation Lab and Axios recently summarized findings from a survey of young women and men with the following proclamation: “When a place makes abortion illegal or inaccessible, people are going to change their behavior.”
But what, exactly, does that look like — and what are the implications?
The survey of young Americans aged 18-29 found that 60% of women were “upset” about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that legalized abortion across the U.S.
Thirty-nine percent of young women said they have cried since the Dobbs v. Women’s Health Organization ruling overturned Roe. Beyond being upset, though, the survey found that men and women alike will change their actions regarding sex. If a state bans abortion, 32% of women will alter how often they have sex, with 23% of men saying the same. The behavioral changes won’t end there, as 29% of women also said they will change how they choose sexual partners, and 37% said state bans would impact their use of birth control.
“More than half of women will alter sex or birth control behaviors if their state bans abortions,” The Generation Lab reported.
Men were less likely to report perceived behavior modifications, though 24% said they would change how they choose sex partners if their state bans abortion, and 38% said it would impact condom use.
These statistics matter — and here’s why. One of the most troubling parts of modern culture is how people have distorted God’s design. Sex, a gift from the Lord, is intended to be enjoyed in the confines of a marriage between one man and one woman, yet society now has a different, more undefined standard.
Themes in Hollywood and media often employs ex and encourage people to engage in it outside of these confines. The results have been brokenness and chaos; abortion is just one part of that disturbing puzzle that continues to denigrate God’s design for sexuality.
In light of these realities, the notion people might think more deeply about their choice of partners and the frequency with which they engage in sex is notable. Trends will need to be monitored to see how these survey results play out in real-time, though the data is certainly intriguing.
The survey was conducted July 6-11 among 843 men and women between 18 and 29; the margin of error is +/- 3.4 percentage points.