On September 14th and 15th, eight students from diverse backgrounds at Presbyterian College shared their opinions on abortion due to the overturning of Roe v. Wade over the summer. Although the Dobbs decision affects many things other than abortion, the interviews focused singularly on that aspect.

When discussing the topic, interviewees considered those who received abortions in the past. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, abbreviated as KFF, “more than half of abortions are among women of color.” Many arguments against abortion come from people claiming the wrongfulness of third-trimester abortion, despite the fact that most abortions are performed in the first trimester, regardless of race.

Interviewees were given the choice of either anonymity with some distinguishing information or having their names shown; six out of eight people chose to remain anonymous. 

Many people displayed reluctance when asked their opinions on abortion.

Like most of the interviewees, the fourth female interviewed, who is a 20-year-old, South Carolinian of Asian descent, did not have an opinion on the subject.

Some interviewees completely refused to respond despite being promised anonymity. 

“I don’t get involved with politics,” Lily Shelburne, an 18-year-old Caucasian female, said.  

Another rendition of similar sentiments came from the first female interviewed, a 19-year-old, Hispanic female, from Georgia.

“Let people do what they want,” the female said.

The first male who was interviewed, a 19 year-old, African American from South Carolina, believed that men should not be involved in the debate over abortion rights.

“Males should not have a say on abortion rights because it does not affect them,” the male said.

Indifference was a common theme for most of the interviewees.

From the eight, only one person was vehemently against abortion. The second male who was interviewed, who is a 18-year old, Caucasian from South Carolina, portrayed his beliefs very extremely.

“Abortion isn’t right and people shouldn’t be doing it. You’re murdering a baby,” the male said.

When asked to expand on his opinion, it was all that the male had to comment. His more extreme beliefs were relatively shared among other interviewed students as well, with some only seeing the importance of abortion as an option in extreme cases such as assault. 

“I do not believe in abortion because it does not align with my faith,” an anonymous 21-year-old, African American female from Virginia, shared. Although she disagrees with abortion, she later clarified that she does not support an all-out ban. Instead, she would not have an abortion herself. 

Harley Adams, who is a 18-year old, Caucasian female, is from a small town in Tennessee, an area of the country known as the “Bible Belt.”

For Adams, she seemed to agree with the previous female. 

“I consider abortion murder,” Adams said. “You are taking away their [the baby’s] chance at life.” 

Adams, a current freshman at PC, said sometimes that she doesn’t feel like she can have a say in abortion rights because it’s very situational. However, she does consider abortion from a risk standpoint.

“My main thought when it comes to abortion is that if you are going to have sex and there is the opportunity to get pregnant, then it is their [the parents’] responsibility to accept that they are pregnant and give birth to the child. That’s the responsible and mature thing to do if you are going to be having intercourse,” Adams said.

However, Adams does still believe that abortion is a very situational circumstance. 

“I’m kind of in-between,” Adams said. “I don’t support the banning of abortions, because abortion won’t stop – it will just become riskier, and it will stop safe abortions. On the other hand, I don’t support abortions when people are carelessly having sex and not using protection.”

Adams concludes her interview with the moral dilemma for her personally that occurs with medical abortions; even though she was talking about her personal experience with this dilemma, research has indicated this is a common opinion.

“The lines blur for me when the abortion is for medical reasons,” Adams said.

In regards to situations like ectopic pregnancies, Adams had a quick response to that circumstance.

“Yes, exactly like that,” Adams said.

Many of the interviewees’ responses fell under this category of “against abortion… but,” which showed the testimony of many people disagreeing with the concept of abortion, but not agreeing to take it away completely.

Only one female, was open to being interviewed, was in support of full abortion rights.

The female, who is a 18-year-old Caucasian from South Carolina, approves of the practice and believes it should not be taken away or majorly restricted. 

“I believe everyone is different in their situation,” the anonymous female said.

While inadvertently agreeing with Adams on some parts, she continued that she firmly believes in abortion because of situations where the child would be born into a life of poverty, homelessness, or abuse.

“I feel like that is a valid reason not to have a child because in those situations, the baby will either end up in foster care or suffering with the mother,” the anonymous female said.

Additionally, the anonymous female and Adams once again agreed on some factors when considering the topic of couples not using protection.

“I definitely don’t agree with the people who carelessly have sex, do not use protection, and end up using abortion as a form of late birth control. I believe abortion is an extreme measure and should be saved for extreme situations,” the anonymous female said. 

Although many people do not enjoy conversing about topics such as abortion, efforts are being made by various pro-life groups across the country to normalize it. The groups argue that these new laws implemented by the Supreme Court will greatly affect the future of the United States.

As for the anonymous female who supports abortion, she states something that many youth believe, but are too scared to share with others.

“Abortion should be protected because it is healthcare,” the anonymous female said.