New Books in Sociology cover image

New Books in Sociology

Amy Adamczyk, "Fetal Positions: Understanding Cross-National Public Opinion about Abortion" (Oxford UP, 2025)

Mar 24, 2025
Dr. Amy Adamczyk, a sociology professor at John Jay College and CUNY, delves into global abortion attitudes in her new book. She explores why abortion views vary dramatically between countries like the liberal U.S. and settled China. Key topics include the influence of religion, economic development, and societal norms on public opinion. Adamczyk discusses cultural shifts in Ireland and Poland, and how gender inequality and legal frameworks shape personal decisions. Her insights highlight the complex interplay of beliefs and behaviors across different nations.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Abortion attitudes vary greatly across countries due to distinct cultural, legal, and religious influences that shape public opinion.
  • Religious beliefs significantly impact individual views on abortion, with higher religiosity often correlating with less support for abortion rights.

Deep dives

Variability of Abortion Attitudes Worldwide

Abortion attitudes differ significantly across countries, influenced by cultural, legal, and religious contexts. In parts of Europe, for instance, there is generally liberal support for abortion within the first trimester, contrasting sharply with countries in the Middle East and Africa where opposition is prevalent. Variations in legislation often reflect these attitudes, with some countries only allowing abortion under stringent conditions. This disparity highlights the complexity of global perspectives on abortion and emphasizes the necessity to explore the underlying factors driving these differences.

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