Yesterday, Gallup released its latest research on abortion. The results show that 49 percent of the nation is "pro-choice," with an additional 45 percent classifying itself as "pro-life." According to Gallup:
This is similar to a year ago, when 45% were "pro-choice" and 47% "pro-life." However, it is the first time since 2008 that the "pro-choice" position has had the numerical advantage on this Gallup trend.
But, labels don't always provide a full picture of public perception. It's one thing to claim allegiance to one side or another, but it's an entirely different matter to ask questions surrounding morality and legality. Â When asked whether or not abortion is moral, the majority of Americans continue (51 percent) to believe that it is wrong, with a minority (39 percent) claiming that it is "morally acceptable."
The public's opinions regarding the legality of abortion are also intriguing:
Since 1994, Gallup has also asked those who think abortion should be legal under certain circumstances to say whether it should be legal in "most" or "only a few" circumstances. On this basis, Americans are rather conservative in their stance on abortion, with 61% now preferring that abortion be legal in only a few circumstances or no circumstances. By contrast, 37% want abortion legal in all or most circumstances.
The pattern here is certainly a bit cyclical, though it seems like America is becoming slightly more conservative on the issue.  Despite a greater proportion of Americans claiming that they are pro-choice, a majority prefers limitations on the circumstances in which abortion is permissible.
Meanwhile, ABC News reports that the abortion rate in America dropped 8 percent between 2000 and 2008. Â Sadly, this rate actually increased about 18 percent among the nation's poorest women. Watch the report, below: