Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2003
Abstract
Unwanted pregnancy represents a major cost of sexual activity. When abortion was legalized in a number of states in 1969 and 1970 (and nationally in 1973), this cost was reduced. We predict that abortion legalization generated incentives leading to an increase in sexual activity, accompanied by an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Using Centers for Disease Control data on the incidence of gonorrhea and syphilis by state, we test the hypothesis that abortion legalization led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. We find that gonorrhea and syphilis incidences are significantly and positively correlated with abortion legalization. Further, we find a divergence in STD rates among early legalizing states and late legalizing states starting in 1970 and a subsequent convergence after the Roe v. Wade decision, indicating that the relation between STDs and abortion is causal. Abortion legalization accounts for about one-fourth of the average disease incidence.
Keywords
Health Law and Policy, Women, Sexuality and the Law
Publication Title
Journal of Legal Studies.
Repository Citation
Klick, Jonathan and Stratmann, Thomas, "The Effect of Abortion Legalization on Sexual Behavior: Evidence from Sexually Transmitted Diseases" (2003). All Faculty Scholarship. 1119.
https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/faculty_scholarship/1119
Included in
Diseases Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Health Law and Policy Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Law and Gender Commons, Law and Society Commons, Sexuality and the Law Commons, Women's Health Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Publication Citation
32 J. Legal Stud. 407 (2003).