Variables governing abortion choice among Caucasian and Black women

Includes bibliographical references (pages 69-72)The purpose of this study was to investigate if commonalities or differences exist between Black and Caucasian women as to their reasons for abortion. A review of the literature revealed research that supported and refuted that race was an issue as to why women seek abortions.\ud The subjects selected for this study were fourty-four Black and forty-four Caucasian women. They were all between the ages of eighteen and thirty. They were all between eight and twelve weeks pregnant and would be experiencing a procedure called dilation and curettage. A self-made questionnaire was used to assess the commonalities or differences between the two groups. \ud The general hypothesis for the study was that race is an issue as related to some of the reasons that Black and Caucasian women experience abortion. An analysis of variance was used to test the hypotheses and supplemental data.\ud Within the framework of these hypotheses the findings of the study indicate that four out of the eleven variables that were measured showed a significant relationship between Black and Caucasian women as to the reasons for seeking an abortion. These areas were education, marital status, number of children and method of payment.\ud As a result of this study we see a great need for the implementation of an in-depth program of sex education in all schools, beginning at the sixth grade level. Also indicated is a great need for further study in the area of abortion in order to understand why it is becoming more prevalent at a time when there is an abundance of varied methods of birth control