On abortion, most Americans say they are ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’

Anti-abortion and pro-abortion rights activists stand side by side in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington during a rally against Roe v. Wade on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision. (By Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press)

Most Americans describe themselves as simultaneously “pro-choice” and “pro-life” in a new abortion survey, reflecting a nation conflicted about the morality and legality of the procedure.

According to a Public Religion Research Institute survey out Thursday, “Majorities of Americans simultaneously say abortion is morally wrong (52 percent) and that it should be legal in all or most cases (56 percent.)”

The study also found that while Millenials (ages 18-29) are typically more liberal than older Americans on issues such as same-sex marriage, they are not significantly more liberal on the legality of abortion.

Other findings from the survey:

A solid majority of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

While the number of Americans who say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases has not shifted in a decade, the percentage of Americans who said marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law has grown by 18 percent in that same period. This decoupling of attitudes on abortion and same-sex marriage suggests that these topics, which served in the past as the heart of the “values” agenda, are no longer necessarily linked in the minds of Americans.

With the exception of white evangelical Protestants, majorities of all major religious groups say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

More than seven-in-10 religious Americans believe it is possible to disagree with the teachings of their religion on the issue of abortion and still be considered a person of good standing in their faith

Eight-in-10 Americans favor expanding access to birth control for women who cannot afford it.

Read the full report embedded below:

Do the survey’s findings align with your experience of Americans’ attitudes on abortion?

What will it mean politically that abortion and same-sex marriage are no longer linked as “values” issues?