Why US Latino, Hispanic Voters Support Abortion Rights
A new study reveals that Latinos are supportive of women's abortion rights.
According to the study by the PerryUndem Research/Communication for The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, Latino and Latina voters are in favor of legal abortions.
Over 1,000 registered Latino voters were surveyed. The study revealed that more than 80 percent believe that women should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding abortion and are largely supportive of those who have decided to undergo the procedure. More than half believe that abortion is the right choice for some, even themselves.
With regards to religious beliefs, a third of the survey's participants believe that it should remain legal, even though church leaders largely condemn the practice. When asked about the possibility of abortion restrictions, more than 60 percent believe that it is wrong.
Nearly 70 percent of Latin voters tend to pay mind to a candidate's thoughts on abortion laws. When they learned about the possible restriction, more than 80 percent were willing to learn more about the candidate's views on it.
"I think what this poll shows is what we've known all along, which is that Latinos are actually overwhelmingly supportive of women decision making and don't want to see politicians interfering with a woman's ability to get abortion care," executive director for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, told NBC News.
Meanwhile, according to Huffington Post, the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, which centers on the constitutionality of Texas bill HB 2. A decision could close reproductive health care clinics in Texas, stunting access to abortion in the state. The outlet adds that millions of Latinas will be affected.
"The harms of HB 2 on the 2.5 million Latinas of reproductive age in Texas are direct, documented, and disproportionate. For many, the burdens imposed by HB 2 act as a de facto ban on abortion," Gonzalez-Rojas said in an MSNBC op-ed.
Texas Latinas are the ones who will suffer the most if the ruling is passed as they are poorer and have higher unwanted pregnancy rates. Latinas also have multiple jobs and some still go to school while juggling children or their family.
Transportation is also a great setback for some Latinas seeking abortion as they have to shell out money to have someone drive them to the clinic in towns that are frequently far and isolated. Additionally, millions of Latinas around the country are not so fortunate to have access to abortion.
"On the eve of a Supreme Court case that will determine the future of abortion access in the United States, this data settles any question about which side Latino/a voters are on," Gonzales-Rojas said, as reported by TeleSUR.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!