Abstract
This study examines the impact of the Dobbs abortion case on the political mobilization and engagement of young women and minorities in the United States. 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 will be 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. Preliminary analyses of the 2022 and 2024 U.S. elections indicate that reproductive policies are significant factors in the political preferences of young women and minorities. However, the prioritization of these issues vary among other demographic groups.
Presenters
Haco HoangProfessor, Political Science, California Lutheran University, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Reproductive Rights, Public Opinion, Political And Civic Engagement
