Women's Autonomy and Abortion Decision-Making

Even when abortion is legal, women face numerous barriers to access, such as proximity, stigma and, crucially, affordability. We investigate the determinants of young women’s autonomy in abortion decision-making. We develop a model that accounts for bargaining over parental support. We test the model’s predictions using Israeli administrative data and an exogenous abortion funding policy. Young women’s autonomy is determined by their parents’ aversion to abortion, but a policy that covers the monetary cost of abortion can increase autonomy for women who are less averse to abortion. This empowerment delays early parenthood and marriage. We show the model’s predictions hold with empirical extensions to US abortion policies, which suggests that abortion access policies might bolster young women’s reproductive autonomy in diverse legislative and cultural landscapes.