zlacker

This is an argument popularized in the book “Freakanomics.” The authors presented data that correlated the legalization of abortion to reduced crime rates 16-18 years later (young men disproportionately commit crime, especially violent crime.) This was ascribed to less unwanted children being raised in bad circumstances.

Later research showed a (I believe even stronger) link between leaded gasoline being phased out and reduced crime later. Environmental lead is well known to have psychological effects, including an increased propensity for violence.

I think the general belief is that environmental lead had the stronger effect, but legalized abortion can’t entirely be counted out, but I’m hardly an expert and I suspect it is all still under debate.