The Donahue Levitt Hypothesis

The Donahue Levitt hypothesis is the relationship that legalized abortion has on crime rates. The researchers suggested that children who are not wanted or are not sufficiently supported by their parents are more than likely to become criminals. The study also found that there is an inverse correlation between crime rates and how readily available abortion is in the area. An inverse correlation is a contrary relationship between two variables meaning that they move in opposite directions. Simply put, if the accessibility to abortions decreases, subsequently the rate of crime will increase and vice versa. Legalized abortion is not the only factor in the decreasing crime rates, but it does play a role in explaining why the rate of crime has reduced since the early 20th century. Factors such as improved policing strategies, declines in drug trades, a rising economy, increased imprisonment, and punishment have also helped to reduce crime; although, they cannot adequately explain the large, widespread, and persistent drop in crime in the 1990s.

To get into deeper details, legalization of abortion reduces crimes either through lower per capita offending rates for affected associates or reduction in cohorts’ sizes. When the number of cohorts is reduced through abortion, when the cohort reaches like twenty years, the number of males in their high-crime years will be fewer, therefore, less crime. The study shows that the number of kids born after abortion was legalized has lower consequent rates of criminality. It undeniable that women who abort are most likely to give birth to kids who will engage in criminal activities later in their lives. Unmarried women, economically disadvantaged and teenagers are in most cases likely to seek an abortion. Studies have revealed that kids born to these types of mothers would dare commit criminal offenses in their teenage years.

High numbers of abortion in the United States back in the 1970s and 80s is associated with the reduced crime from 1985 to 1997. I support Levitt and Donohue when they say property and violent crimes have reduced tremendously since 1991. Rape cases have reduced by 32%, robbery by 50 percent, murder by 49 percent and property crimes by 42 percent. In addition to why abortion has contributed to declines in crime, the states which were first to legalize it like Alaska and Washington were also the first to experience reduced criminal activities. There are many debates questioning the legality and morality of abortion, but the main idea behind this analysis is to understand the connection between crime and abortion. It is just to show that a connection like that does exist. People need to understand why criminality has fallen sharply since the 1990s and how legalization of abortion has contributed to this matter.

In conclusion, it is true that fewer crimes are taking place because those who would be committing them now were never born. The Donohue theory that abortion reduces crime is true. Unwanted children are the ones who grow up to become the next generation of thieves. Many crimes happen at the age of 17-24. Years and after 18 years of legalization, the United States recorded decrease in crime rates. We cannot avoid the truth that abortion is a better crime deterrent but on the other hand, some organizations like religion do not like the idea. To them, abortion remains illegal and murder. The government needs to find a better way to prevent crime like teaching children in schools about proper gun safety. If people understood the correct weapon handling and control, crime will still reduce. If the government came up with more gun control laws then it will be a great strategy for handling crime in America than abortion which is not liked by all.