Abortion on American television: An update on recent portrayals, 2015-2019

To compare differences in televised abortion depictions from two time periods: 2005 to 2014, as examined in previous studies, and more recent depictions from 2015 to 2019.

Using a database of television abortion plotlines, we analyzed recent portrayals for character demographics, barriers, genre, and safety, calculated proportions, and compared to prior findings.

While recent portrayals shift towards reflecting some demographics of U.S. abortion patients, people of color, low-income people, and parents remain under-portrayed. Compared to prior depictions, recent plotlines are more likely to inaccurately depict abortion as easier to access than it is for the majority of U.S. abortion patients. However, recent depictions are also less likely to depict exaggerated and inaccurate medical complications of abortion. Abortion plotlines are increasingly appearing on comedies.

Despite progress, there remain important ways television could improve abortion depictions.

Content creators should continue to consider diversity, nuance, and medical and demographic accuracy in depicting abortion.