RESUMO
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the opinion of freshmen and fifth-year students of the University of Sao Paulo School of Law in relation to the respect for maternal autonomy and knowledge of the existence and the need to protect the unborn child. METHODS: Information was obtained from a questionnaire; responses were compared with appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: In total, 403 students answered the questionnaire, 75.2% being first-year students; 58.6% of the students were against State intervention in maternal autonomy, with no difference between groups. However, 55.1% of students were in favor of the defense of the welfare of the unborn, with the statistical difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among the first-year students, there is a contradiction about respect for maternal autonomy. Among the fifth-year students, most of them were unreservedly in favor of respect for maternal autonomy.