Abstract
The purpose of this project is to examine the potential impact of the Dobbs abortion case on the political mobilization and engagement of young women and low-income populations in the U.S. The qualitative and quantitative findings indicate that reproductive rights are major factors shaping the political preferences of different demographic groups, particularly by age, race/ethnicity, and sex/gender. Examining the impact of the Dobbs decision on young women and minorities is significant for two primary reasons. First, significant portions of the electorate (i.e. young women and minorities) must grapple with the political, legal, and social consequences of this decision on their lives, beyond health care. This is particularly the case for young women voters and minorities, who will now live in a world in which there is no longer a constitutional right to abortion. The case may lead to a major realignment in the political behavior and engagement of a generation of young adults and beyond, as we witnessed after major Supreme Court decisions related to civil rights. Second, this decision upends decades of precedent that reaffirmed the constitutional right to privacy. However, this decision may open the door to other laws related to privacy, such as same-sex marriage and LGBTQ-plus protections. Advocates and opponents of these concerns may galvanize around this decision in their civic engagement and political mobilization efforts. The preliminary findings suggest that young women and women of color prioritize reproductive rights as a political preference, while other groups rank it lower as an electoral preference.
Presenters
Haco HoangProfessor, Political Science, California Lutheran University, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Community Diversity and Governance
KEYWORDS
Political Engagement, Reproductive Rights
