The Dobbs Decision, Social Media, and the Abortion Debate: How College-Age Women Process Restrictions on their Rights

With the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision and repeal of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022, access to abortion care and services continues to be drastically limited with restricted availability across the United States. This research seeks to examine and understand the debate from college-aged females who are the most affected population from this decision. This study also analyzes how they are processing the decision, how they are contending with information about state legislation that directly affects their healthcare options, and how the debate has impacted their preferences for information sources concerning the issue, particularly social media. The data analyzed for this study was collected from two focus groups conducted in Lubbock, TX consisting of 8 college-aged women between the ages of 18 and 21. Participants ranged in political and religious affiliations. Transcripts from the focus groups were analyzed for reoccurring topics, which were condensed into a consistent set of themes reflective of participant attitudes and responses. Across groups, all participants stated they did not agree with the Dobbs decision, or more restrictive access to abortion care services, or current state legislation restricting abortion care. Participants also exhibited a noticeable level of anxiety in their responses, thought processes concerning the decision, and in their expressed distrust of government intervention and sources. In terms of information sources, they mentioned a high degree of reliance on social media apps with video content, especially TikTok and Instagram Reels. Findings indicate that the population most affected by this ruling does not agree with government intervention into this once-private area and is frustrated to find that abortion care restrictions are only proving more difficult in the wake of Dobbs, in addition to creating more problems for women who seek abortion related healthcare.