I believe that Legalized abortion is a big part of the decline in crime for the 1990's. I am pro-life, however, this argument by Steven Levitt is solid. I have already had an abortion post that stated this, however, now I can explain it better and would like to focus the disscussion to this particular question: Was Legalized abortion from Roe v. Wade the main reason for the very steep drop in crime in the 1990s. I will cite the source for my info right here: http://www.slate.com/id/33569/entry/33571/
If you choose not to read it these are the reasons why this statement is valid and his studies.
First, 18 years after the leaglized abortion is when the decrease in crime starts.
Second, they show that 5 states that legalized abortion 3 years sooner, saw crime rates drop 3 years earlier.
Third, States with high abortion rates had a bigger decline in crime.
Fourth, It shows that the drop in crime is only among those under the age of 25. The group that would support this.
The question really is if you believe these two assumptions:
1) Legalized abortion leads to fewer unwanted babies being born
2)Unwanted babies are more likely to suffer abuse and neglect and are therefore more pron to criminal involvment later in life
Here is the actual paper he wrote..the other link was more of an explaination by the author.
http://papers.ssrn.com/paper.taf?abstract_id=174508
-Hutch
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I saw let women decide, the government should have no play in this. Not only does it conflict with religion, its not the governments baby. As long as its still in in the womb, it should be the womens choice.
There is also the assumption that those who had their abortions didn't necessarily want their babies. There are all kinds of reasons women abort, and it's not always because they are incapable parents. An unwanted baby can become wanted once he is born. It just doesn't follow.
In reality, the status of "unwantedness" is up to the parents, and who gave parents the right to treat other people, especially their own children as "unwanted"? Unborn children are just as human as we are, just younger, and they deserve respect and love, not abortion.
Yes, that's why it says it leads to fewer unwanted babies...those babies that were born would go under the category of wanted. And I am pro-life..so I agree they shouldn't choose..I have another post about that though..go read it if you'd like
-Hutch
"What can I say, that can explain, all this time I'm loving life..."
-The Starting Line
There are many other reasons for the decrease in crime as well. New technologies, the War On Drugs, new, harder laws, making more crimes felonies, and putting felons away for longer. While crime did drop at the same time abortion stopped it is ridiculous to say that abortion ending is the sole reason crime dropped.
Secondly, how do you even interpret this? Is it your position that every baby who parents desire to abort but can't is 'unwanted' and will eventually lead to a life of crime? How can you possibly tell what the baby's life will be, simply by connecting it to crime statistics. This is a ridiculous reason to justify abortion, and is similar to saying "well latino individuals moved into our town and the crime rate went up so we should deport them or shoot them."
I'm not saying there aren't legitimate reasons for abortion, but this is not one of them. You have no idea what the baby's life will become, and aborting it will only ensure that it never gets the chance to reach any potential it might have.
Here's a clue. READ THE DAMN PAPER FIRST, I support what it says. Which is that the legalized abortion was responsible for about half of the crime rate decrease..the majority of it. Also, in no way does this support abortion, personally I think they should be aloud to live, give them a chance at least. But for goodness sake, before you bash an argument soley based on ONE STUDY THAT I GIVE A LINK TOO. READ THE DAMN THING. Thank You. I do not support abortion, and I read it. It is intiquing. READ IT
-Hutch