RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Jenna DiMaggio
Independent Research G/T
2018-2019

Title: ​My Choice? How Society and Culture Unconsciously Change Youth Beliefs on Abortion

Introduction and Overview of Research:

This research will be investigating the various societal and cultural factors present in
American life which influence the way teenagers and young adults ages 13 to 23 perceive
abortion. Because of the controversy of the subject, and because those in this age bracket will be
influential in future American society, this research project is meant to inform high school
students of these factors. A mixed methods approach will be used, conducting interviews and
surveys from those within the age bracket as a means of data collection. In order to share her
results, the researcher will form a club at Mt. Hebron to educate students about abortion and how
their viewpoints may be influenced by aspects of American society. The club will not be used to
promote an ideology, but to encourage students to minimize bias and make informed decisions
regarding abortion.
Background and Rationale:
Despite little restriction limiting the access of abortion or women’s health providers in
the United States, abortion rates have been decreasing during the last decade (Jones and Jerman
3). Meanwhile, countries with explicitly anti-abortion legislation such as Mexico and parts of
Sub-Saharan Africa have much higher abortion rates, especially among adolescents (Sedgh et. al
225). One reason for this may be that the United States’ culture is more open to the use of
contraceptives, therefore preventing unintended pregnancies from occurring (Jones and Jerman
12). Conversely, cultural and religious norms in places such as Sub-Saharan Africa dictate that
even contraception is immoral (Larsson et. al 2). Furthermore, in these cultures, it is seen as a
disgrace to a woman’s family if she becomes pregnant, so although abortion is believed to be
murder, it is a lesser offense than having a child out of wedlock (Gilbert and Sewpaul 90).
However, little similar research has been conducted in the United States.
Besides cultural norms, American teenageers derive values from media sources such as
movies and television (Altschuler et. al 229). In fact, this affirms the findings of previous
researchers, who wrote that “‘adolescents described relying on movies, television and anecdotal
experiences to form their opinions about abortion’” (Altshuler et. al 227). Since media sources
play such an influential role in how teenagers perceive abortion, the way social, news, and
entertainment media represent pregnancy and the termination thereof may change the viewpoints
of this audience. For example, one discourse analysis of American entertainment media found
that white, middle-upper class, nulliparous women in a stable relationship obtained abortions.
This helps contribute to the stereotype that women who obtain abortions are anti-motherhood,
failing to represent a statistically accurate demographic (Sisson and Kimport 447-450).
Because of the controversy surrounding abortion, this topic is worthwhile to research so
as to clarify how adolescents and young adults make decisions about abortion. By clarifying
these factors, those within the age bracket will be more aware of where their beliefs originate,
allowing them to recognize bias within their decision-making. Recognizing bias will allow them
to become more open-minded and further the abortion debate in the United States. A continuing

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debate is necessary in order to reach a consensus on what the American people believe to be
moral and immoral. The age bracket of 13 to 23 was chosen because these ages span the first
decade of Generation Z (Robinson n.p.). As members of Generation Z enter adulthood, their
opinions will become more relevant in terms of policy making, in addition to choosing family
planning methods themselves. Further, members of Generation Z are exceptionally connected by
technology, be it by streaming television or browsing social media. This implies that Americans
in this age range derive beliefs about subjects including abortion from these sources as well. By
conducting further research into this topic, one may uncover specific cultural assumptions and
shared values which prompt decreasing abortion rates in the United States, in addition to
correlations between media consumption and abortion beliefs.
Research Methodology:
Research Question:
Which sociocultural factors hold the most influence over the attitudes of American
adolescents and adults ages 13 to 23 regarding abortion?
Research Hypothesis:
Factors such as values that are imparted from parent to child, dominant gender roles in
American society, and media consumption contribute to the formation of abortion beliefs among
13 to 23 year olds.
One prevalent theme in this research is the false binary between pro-life and pro-choice
views. In an interview, Professor of Social Work Vishanthie Sewpaul said that the decision to
abort is not dichotomous, but rather a spectrum, influenced by “contextual morality,” or the right
choice for the time (Sewpaul n.p.). Drawing this false binary does not account for other
influences in women’s lives which cause them to choose or reject abortion, such as domestic
abuse, age, or family situation (Gilbert and Sewpaul 85). In addition, patriarchal structures may
excuse men for being unfaithful partners and leaving women to raise their children alone, despite
the cost (Gilbert and Sewpaul 85). In an analysis of news sources from Uganda, pro-life outlets
urged women to control themselves, even in the case of rape. However, “argumentation along
the same line, urging young men to restrain from sexual activity, cannot be found within the
examined articles. Thus the responsibility for unwanted pregnancies is solely put on the young
women” (Larsson et. al 4). Patriarchal structures such as these were found in “pro-life” countries
in Sub-Saharan Africa; however these regions still experience high abortion rates due to the
suppression of women. Further, parental beliefs concerning religion, and by extension the topic
of abortion, are typically echoed in the lives of their children as adults; among these, maternal
beliefs are especially important. Women whose mothers obtained abortions are more likely to
have an abortion themselves (Liu et. al 100), and maternal religion contributes more to their
children’s religious beliefs as adults than paternal religion (Pew Research Center n.p.).

Research Design Model:

This research explores ethnographic elements such as shared assumptions and values, in
addition to correlations between parental values and exposure to certain types of media in light
of beliefs about abortion. Because it incorporates many different elements which influence
abortion viewpoints, a descriptive method is best to encompass all these elements and provide
the audience with knowledge of several factors which influence abortion. A mixed-methods
study was selected as the best way to study the cultural and individual aspects of abortion beliefs.
This method of research is the best for this research because it incorporates the individual

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experiences of personal morality pertaining to the abortion decision through qualitative methods,
while also allowing for the mass collection of data through quantitative methods. The
quantitative methods will measure social media usage, experiences of media coverage of
abortion, and demographics and their respective effects on abortion viewpoints. The independent
variable will be the societal and cultural factors prevalent in American society, media
consumption, and parental values, while the dependent variable will be the attitudes of
Americans within the age bracket of 13 to 23 concerning abortion. Media consumption refers to
amount of time on entertainment, news, and social media sites, as well as which outlets the
participants use most often. Societal and cultural factors refer to media exposure, demographics
(region, religion, political party, economic status, etc.), and shared beliefs. Shared beliefs refer to
patterns in American perceptions of intangibles including but not limited to individualism, body
ownership, and gender roles. Parental values include religion, political leaning, employment
status, and abortion beliefs.
Data Collection:
To collect data, interviews will be conducted and a survey administered. The interviews
will be with those involved in completing the survey in order to gain more insight into specific
ethnographic information concerning cultural assumptions and upbringing. Surveys will be given
to students at Mt. Hebron and on social media, as well as those within the age bracket who attend
the March for Life and the Women’s March. The surveys will gather blanket information and
statistics about shared beliefs and media consumption.
Although the surveys and interviews rely on past sources for question generation, the data
collected through these sources will vary from information collected in the past. This is because
the opinions of those surveyed and interviewed are formulated from experience. Since no one
has an identical experience, the answers to survey and interview questions will be different.
Product Objectives:
To better inform high school students of factors influencing their decisions regarding
abortion, a club at Mt. Hebron will be formed, including those who wish to participate regardless
of position on abortion. This club will include information on abortion from all medical,
philosophical, and ethical perspectives, allowing students to develop and shape their own beliefs.
In addition, research on sociocultural influences will be included so that students are aware of
what, besides reason, factors into their beliefs. This club is the most beneficial option as it
encourages self-awareness to those within the age range of this research.
This product is directed to high school students attending Mt. Hebron High School.
Students will be mature enough to be able to understand the information presented while also
within the age bracket.
Flyers in hallways, the media center, the cafeteria, and bathroom stalls would be the
optimal place to advertise since students pass by every day. In addition, the flyers would be free
to take so the information can be used after the student passes. They may contain a QR code that
students can scan for more information.
Logistical Considerations:
Emphasis on the club as a place for personal growth would detract from misconceptions
that it is only “pro-life” or “pro-choice.” Choosing a name that includes all viewpoints will also
help minimize this. In addition, especially partisan members may join looking for a fight, so
regular team-bonding exercises will be necessary to ensure that the members trust each other and
are able to be friendly regardless of belief. Few expenditures are necessary as flyers are the only

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aspect of the club costing money. However, as the club continues, fundraising and transportation
may be necessary if the club decides to attend educational field trips.
As the year continues, the researcher will have completed the following tasks by these
dates:
➢ 4 March 2019: Edited the final survey and written a blurb in preparation for sending out
the survey.
➢ 5 March 2019: Written a final draft of what will be said on Canvas.
➢ 6 March 2019: Emailed the interviewees, finalize the questions, and send out the survey.
➢ 15 March 2019: Conferenced with Dr. Kiehl, and begun planning the club and display
board design.
➢ 7 March 2019 to 25 March 2019: Conducted and transcribed interviews. Began to
develop the product: brainstormed names, sought approval, asked people what they
would want to be incorporated.
➢ 21 March 2019: Closed out the survey.
➢ 26 March 2019: Organized the interview results into a spreadsheet.
➢ 28 March 2019: Organized the survey data into charts/graphs.
➢ 29 March 2019: Written up the interview analysis.
➢ 1 April 2019: Sought approval for the club and edited data collection.
➢ 3 April 2019: Revised data collection and shared the folder with Dr. Kiehl.
➢ 4 April 2019: Completed all the data collection tasks and attended the SLC rehearsal.
➢ 12 April 2019: Submitted the rough draft of data analysis, as it will appear in the paper.
Begun working on the display board as well as editing the Synthesis Paper.
➢ 7 May 2019: Completed display and showed off my information at the Celebration of
Excellence; passed out flyers advertising the club.
➢ 10 May 2019:Submitted Synthesis Paper.
➢ 31 May 2019: Gave the final oral presentation. Advertised for the club to students at Mt.
Hebron.

Approval: 

_____________________ _______________________
Student Signature G/T Resource Teacher Signature

Works Cited:
Altshuler, Anna L. et. al. “Exploring Abortion Attitudes of US Adolescents and Young Adults
Using Social Media.” ​Contraception​, vol. 91, no. 2015, pp. 226-233.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna_Altshuler/publication/270004417_Exploring_
abortion_attitudes_of_US_adolescents_and_young_adults_using_social_media/links/599
fbd6b0f7e9b363901711c/Exploring-abortion-attitudes-of-US-adolescents-and-young-adu
lts-using-social-media.pdf​.

Gilbert, Indira, and Vishanthie Sewpaul. “Challenging Dominant Discourses on Abortion From a
Radical Feminist Standpoint” ​Journal of Women and Social Work,​ vol. 30, no. 1, 2014,
pp. 83-95,
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vishanthie_Sewpaul/publication/270678778_Challe

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 nging_Dominant_Discourses_on_Abortion_From_a_Radical_Feminist_Standpoint/links/
55d4e25008ae6788fa35278c.pdf. Accessed 15 November 2018.

Jones, Rachel K., and Jenna Jerman. “Abortion Incidence and Service Availability In the United
States, 2011.” ​Wiley Online Library,​ Volume 46, Issue 1, Mar. 2014, pp. 3-14,
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1363/46e0414​.

Larsson, Sofia et. al. “The Discourses on Induced Abortion in Ugandan Daily Newspapers: A
Discourse Analysis.” ​Reproductive Health​, vol. 12, no. 58, pp. 1-10,
https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12978-015-004
9-0​.

Liu, Ning et al. “Intergenerational Abortion Tendency Between Mothers and Teenage Daughters:
a Population-Based Cohort Study.” ​Canadian Medical Association Journal,​ 29 January
2018, vol. 190, no. 4, pp. 95-102. ​http://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/190/4/E95.full.pdf

Pew Research Center. “Links Between Childhood Religious Upbringing and Current Religious
Identity.” ​Pew Research Center,​ 26 October 2016,
http://www.pewforum.org/2016/10/26/links-between-childhood-religious-upbringing-and
-current-religious-identity/

Robinson, Michael T. “The Generations.” ​CareerPlanner.com​,

https://www.careerplanner.com/Career-Articles/Generations.cfm.

Sedgh, Gilda, et. al. “Adolescent Pregnancy, Birth, and Abortion Rates Across Countries: Levels
and Recent Trends.” ​Journal of Adolescent Health,​ vol. 56, no. 2, 2015, pp. 223-230,
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X14003875#!.

Sewpaul, Vishanthie. Personal Interview. 18 December 2018.

Sisson, Gretchen and Katrina Kimport. “Facts and Fictions: Characters Seeking Abortion on
American Television, 2005–2014.” ​Contraception,​ vol. 93, no. 5, pp. 446-451.
https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(15)00675-7/fulltext.