Not Going Back

Public Opinion on Abortion in Post-Dobbs America

in English, 210 pages,
Temple University Press, May 08, 2026
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Despite intense political debate, attitudes on abortion were remarkably stable for decades. However, after the 2022 Dobbs decision, Americans’ opinions began to change. Not Going Back explores the shifts in public opinion on this hot-button issue from the landmark passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973 through the 2024 election and into 2025.

The authors ask, “What role do Americans want their government to play in protecting, regulating, or restricting abortion access?” and, “How will changing attitudes on abortion reshape American politics?” They offer cohesive, theoretically grounded explanations for both the continuity and the change in Americans’ attitudes on this contentious topic. While there has been a striking reversal in the prioritization of abortion as an issue among Democrats and Republicans, the full impact of this shift in thinking will be influenced by future policies, court decisions, and party reactions.