The results of this unprecedented poll on "the French and abortion" are particularly enlightening, on the eve of the parliamentary debate, scheduled for Thursday, October 8, on a bill by two environmentalist and ex-LREM deputies, aimed at extending the deadline. legal access to abortion from 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy.
Read also: Abortion: first step towards extending the legal deadline to 14 weeks
51% of French people consider the number of abortions performed each year in France to be “worrying”
On the number of abortions performed each year (232,200 abortions in 2019 for 753,000 births), the French seem particularly divided, since 51% (52% in 2016) consider this situation
"worrying because abortion remains an act that we would prefer avoid ”
, while 49% (48% in 2016) consider the situation
“ normal because abortion is an act to which women can be exposed during their life ”.
92% of French people consider that
"an abortion leaves psychological traces that are difficult for women to live with"
On the other hand, the opinion of the French concerning the psychological impact of an abortion on a woman seems much more decided.
Thus, 92% of those questioned consider that
"an abortion leaves psychological traces difficult for women"
, against 89% in 2016.
"Over the years, this confirms that the feeling of the French is that abortion leaves psychological traces, which contradicts what the government says on its official information site on abortion, ”
comments Caroline Roux, deputy general manager of Alliance Vita, interviewed by
Le Figaro
.
The gynecologist Philippe Faucher, quoted on the site ivg.gouv.fr, affirms in fact that
“there is no long-term psychological sequel to abortion” ...
while adding that some women
“are sad "
Or
" cry "
and that you should not hesitate to consult a psychologist.
"I coordinate the listening services for pregnant women at Alliance Vita, and we are witness to all the dilemmas and hesitations surrounding abortion," continues
Caroline Roux.
I'm not saying this concerns all women, but many say they are psychologically marked, even many years later.
There is a lot of denial on this subject. ”
73% of French people think that
"society should do more to help women avoid resorting to voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion)
".
In addition, 73% (72% in 2016) of French people surveyed think that
"society should do more to help women avoid having to resort to voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion)"
.
An interesting positioning while a DREES report found in 2019, an increase in abortions in France - while the French widely use contraception.
84% of French people to reinstate the details of aid for pregnant women in the official information booklet of consultations for abortion
Another question formulated by this survey concerns the official information booklet given to pregnant women who consult for an abortion.
This booklet only contains information on how to get an abortion.
However, a proposal was made - supported by Alliance Vita - to modify the booklet, by reintegrating the details of aid (social, psychological, financial) to pregnant women and young mothers, as was done until 2001. However , 84% of French people say they are in favor of
"this proposal to include in this official booklet the details of aid for pregnant women and young mothers".
88% of French people in favor of a study of the causes and consequences of abortion to promote its prevention
Finally, after noting that France has a high abortion rate, i.e. an abortion for a little more than three births, while being one of the countries in the world where women resort to abortion the most, the poll asks the opinion of the French on the advisability of a launch, by the public authorities, of a
"real prevention of abortion"
by conducting
"a study to analyze the causes, conditions and consequences of abortion".
This time, 88% of those questioned are
“in favor”
of this proposal.
To read also: “An IMG until the 9th month for '' psychosocial distress ''?
It is to devote a vague and subjective notion ”
The bill to extend the legal period of access to abortion
"arrives without any reliable data on abortion in France",
regrets Caroline Roux.
"While abortion rates have continued to increase in recent years, the real question that must be asked is how to prevent abortion in France
," said the general delegate of Alliance Vita.
However, there is no real reflection.
Many abortions, for example, result from contraceptive failures.
But we also witness the pressure - often from men - that women can have, who feel rejected because they are pregnant. ”
The study was carried out on a sample of 1039 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over, according to the quota method (sex, age, profession), after stratification by region and category of improvement. Interviews were conducted online, from September 30 to October 1.
