Young men least supportive of legal abortion, poll finds

Fewer than half of young men believe abortion should be legal, far less than the general population, a shocking new poll has found.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Just 46 per cent of 16- to 34-year-old males believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, compared with 71 per cent among the general population.

Amid concerns about the rise of the manosphere - a growing online community of hypermasculine influencers - the Ipsos poll showed a stark drop in support for abortion in those aged under 35.

Eight in 10 men aged between 55 and 75 support abortion being legal in all or most cases, while three-quarters of 35- to 54-year-olds do. And, among those males aged 16 to 34, more than a third think abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, the poll found.

Labour MP Stella Creasy, a prominent campaigner in parliament for abortion access, told The Independent: "Those [who are] complacent that abortion access is supported in this country don't understand the culture war is chipping away at all women's rights, including healthcare."

The polling comes before MPs vote tomorrow on decriminalising abortion through amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill.

Currently, abortions can legally be carried out within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy in England, Scotland and Wales.