Sociological Analysis of Abortion Perceptions: The Case of Young Women in Split, Croatia

Abstract

Attitudes toward abortion are deeply rooted and shaped by cultural, religious, moral, and political beliefs. In some societies, abortion is seen as a fundamental right, whereas in others, it is viewed as morally objectionable. This paper explores the perceptions of young women in Split, Croatia, regarding abortion. The study presents findings from research1 conducted in 2024, which was based on semi-structured interviews with 30 young women aged 18–35 years. The results show that all participants are well informed about contraception and its role in women’s reproductive health, most of them expressing a positive view of its use. Most of the participants were familiar with abortion and the procedures involved. While they acknowledge the potential physical and mental health consequences of abortion, more than half, despite not personally choosing to have one, strongly support a woman’s right to decide. Nearly all participants are aware of both pro-life and pro-choice movements and believe that the influence of religiosity on attitudes toward abortion is subjective and varies from individual to individual.