The claim that abortion bans lead to a surge in unsafe abortions relies on the assumption that restrictions merely push abortions underground rather than preventing them. However, clandestine abortions are, by definition, difficult or impossible to measure reliably, which makes sweeping claims about dramatic increases in unsafe procedures speculative. Because hidden behavior cannot be directly counted, researchers instead look to observable outcomes—most notably, changes in birth rates—to assess the real-world effects of abortion restrictions.
When abortion restrictions were implemented, an additional 16,000 babies were born. This outcome supports a straightforward and intuitive conclusion: when an action is made harder to carry out, fewer people do it. The evidence suggests that restrictions do not simply displace abortions into unsafe settings but instead result in more pregnancies being carried to term. Even prior to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2021, state-level abortion restrictions—including relatively modest limits—were associated with a decreased likelihood of obtaining an abortion.
While abortion bans may not prevent every abortion, the data undermine the claim that they have no effect. On the contrary, restrictions are associated with fewer abortions overall. Over time, these reductions are expected to continue as legal limits reinforce the understanding that unborn humans are members of the human family and deserve legal protection, rather than being treated as lives that can be intentionally ended without consequence.
Key Takeaways
Hidden “unsafe abortions” cannot be reliably measured, making claims of dramatic increases largely speculative.
Observable data show that abortion restrictions lead to more births, indicating that abortions are prevented, not merely displaced.
Even modest abortion restrictions are associated with a reduced likelihood of abortion, contradicting the claim that bans do nothing.
Laws shape moral norms over time, encouraging society to reject the idea that killing unborn humans is acceptable and to affirm their right to legal protection.