Americans' Attitudes Toward Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide, 1936-2002

Authors

Jen Allen, Arizona State University
Sonia Chavez, Arizona State University
Sara DeSimone, Arizona State University
Debbie Howard, Arizona State University
Keadron Johnson, Arizona State University
Lucinda LaPierr, Arizona State University
Darrel Montero, Arizona State University
Jerry Sanders, Arizona State University

Keywords

Euthanasia, end-of-life decisions, physician assisted suicide, death and dying issues

Abstract

Public opinion polls conducted from 1936 to 2002 found that Americans support both euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Although public opinion regarding end-oflife decisions appears to have been influenced by the events of the times, Americans have consistently favored the freedom to end one's life when the perceived quality of life has significantly diminished, either by one's own hand or with the assistance of a physician. This paper indicates that existing policy regarding euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide conflicts with the American public's attitudes regarding the matter, as well as examines implications for social workers who serve clients facing end-of-life decisions.

Recommended Citation

Allen, Jen; Chavez, Sonia; DeSimone, Sara; Howard, Debbie; Johnson, Keadron; LaPierr, Lucinda; Montero, Darrel; and Sanders, Jerry (2006) "Americans' Attitudes Toward Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide, 1936-2002," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 33: Iss. 2, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3158
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol33/iss2/2