Framing the Abortion Debate

Abstract

Abortion is an issue where most citizens’ views are solidly fixed, as they are related to a moral dimension and strongly associated with religious beliefs. These are highly stable because they are based on strong conceptions of right and wrong; people do not change their moral views on a whim, especially on an issue such as this where the Catholic Church plays an important role. Although abortion has predominantly been discussed in moral terms, the moral view is not the only way of framing about this topic. Multiple frames exist; abortion is a multifaceted issue. As with any issue, public attention may emphasize a particular dimension of the debate and tap into different frames. Thus, even on a moral issue with strong religious overtones, shifting foci of attention may allow some movement in aggregate public opinion and policy, at least on different elements of the debate.¹