News

Map: Record Number of State Abortion Laws in 2011

Christianity Today July 15, 2011

The first episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, in collaboration with Christianity Today.

Steve talks about the nature of reactivity, how it disconnects us, and how being a “well self” is kept for human flourishing. Steve shares much of his own journey and gives a couple of tools to manage reactivity. For more about Steve, and to download his video “The 4 Spaces of Anxiety,” visit stevecusswords.com.

“Being Human with Steve Cuss” is a production of Christianity Today
Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper
Produced and Edited by Matt Stevens
Associate Producers: McKenzie Hill and Raed Gilliam
Theme song by Dan Phelps
Original Music by Andy Gullahorn
Mix Engineer: Kevin Morris
Graphic Design: Amy Jones


States have enacted a record number of state laws restricting abortion in 2011. The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization, reports that in the first six months of this year, there have been 80 state laws that restrict abortion.

The number of laws passed is more than double the number of laws in any previous year (the previous record was 34 restrictions in 2005). Many of these laws included multiple restrictions on abortion, resulting in over 100 new policies designed to lower abortion in the states.

Overall, 19 states have enacted some restriction on abortion. The most common restriction was to limit abortion coverage in health plans that will be offered in the health exchanges (eight states). These exchanges are part of President Obama’s health insurance reform passed last year. Other popular changes included bans on the use of telemedicine, changing abortion reporting rules, and requiring a fetal ultrasound before performing an abortion.

Geographically, most of the restrictions occurred in the band of states between the rockies and the Mississippi River. Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, Utah, and Nebraska enacted major provisions to restrict abortion. Few restrictions were enacted on the Pacific coast or New England.

The reason for the geographic pattern is the parties that control the legislatures. After the 2010 election, Republicans made gains in most states; the Democratic Party lost legislatures and governorships in many states. Abortion restrictions were much more likely to pass in states where Republicans controlled both the legislature and the governorship. Republican states were 10 times as likely to enact a law restricting abortion than a Democratic state. GOP states were four times as likely to do so than states with divided government.

The first episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, in collaboration with Christianity Today.

Steve talks about the nature of reactivity, how it disconnects us, and how being a “well self” is kept for human flourishing. Steve shares much of his own journey and gives a couple of tools to manage reactivity. For more about Steve, and to download his video “The 4 Spaces of Anxiety,” visit stevecusswords.com.

“Being Human with Steve Cuss” is a production of Christianity Today
Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper
Produced and Edited by Matt Stevens
Associate Producers: McKenzie Hill and Raed Gilliam
Theme song by Dan Phelps
Original Music by Andy Gullahorn
Mix Engineer: Kevin Morris
Graphic Design: Amy Jones


Our Latest

Review

They May Forget Your Sermons, but They’ll Remember This

Reuben Bredenhof’s new book encourages pastors to focus on small acts of faithfulness.

Analysis

The Many Factors of America’s Math Problem

Ubiquitous screens, classroom chaos, a dearth of qualified teachers: The reasons our children are struggling in math class are multitude.

News

Four Years into the War, Life Goes on for Ukrainians

Even as Moscow weaponizes winter, locals attend church conferences, go sledding, and plan celebrations.

A Russian Drone Killed My Brother. Is the World Tired of Our Suffering?

Taras Dyatlik

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a Ukrainian theologian meditates on self-interested calls for a comfortable peace.

The Bulletin

The Bulletin Goes to Nashville!

Sho Baraka, Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

In Music City, Russell, Mike, Sho, and Clarissa talk about creativity, vocation, and AI.

Excerpt

Parents of Prodigals Can Trust God is Good

Cameron Shaffer

An excerpt from Cameron Shaffer’s Keeping Kids Christian.

Worship, Bible Studies, and Restoration in South Korea’s Nonprofit Prison

Jennifer Park in Yeoju, South Korea

Somang Prison, the only private and Christian-run penitentiary in Asia, seeks to treat inmates with dignity—and it sees results.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube