Opinions on Abortion among a Group of University Students in Turkey
Nur Feyzal KESEN, Gonca POLAT, Serap DASBAS

Abstract
Turkey has witnessed a clash between conservative and liberal perspectives on abortion policy lately. The abortion is highly medicalized and the psychosocial aspect has been neglected. In this study we investigate the abortion opinions of 485 students from psychology, psychological guidance and counselling and social work departments in a variety of universities in Turkey through an online questionnaire from professional lists. The findings suggest that most of the students either have no opinion on or are against the allowance of abortion. Majority of the students take an anti-abortion stance with religious references. Gender, mother’s educational status, number of siblings in the family and having a romantic relationship are the social variables that make a significant difference for an anti-abortion stance. Results were discussed within current literature on abortion and the political climate of Turkey. Students for human service professions are at a critical position and should employ a rights-based approach to abortion discussions.

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