Poll: HS Seniors Liberal on Homosexuality, Conservative on Abortion
by Jim Brown
January 12, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A national poll of high school seniors shows the Class of 2006 is quite liberal on the issue of homosexuality -- but conservative on issues surrounding abortion.
The Hamilton College "Hot Button Issues" poll found that 75 percent of high school seniors back the legalization of same-sex "marriage" or civil unions. But two-thirds of seniors support restrictions on access to abortion. In addition, 70 percent of females in the Class of 2006 say they would not consider abortion if they became pregnant while in high school.
Hamilton College sociology professor Dr. Dennis Gilbert, whose students collaborated with Zogby International to conduct the survey, says he was surprised by the findings.
"On the one hand, 62 percent of them said that they thought Roe v. Wade was a good thing and they wouldn't want to see it overturned," Gilbert observes. "But when you start talking to them, you find most of them think abortion is immoral."
The survey also found the majority of high school seniors do not believe that a woman who is poor and unable to afford another child should have a legal right to an abortion.
Dr. Gilbert notes that on another "hot button" issue -- homosexual relationships -- the strong support shown by the seniors differs greatly from the sentiments of the general adult population. The educator thinks he knows why.
"On the gay issue, I just think they've just grown up in a different time. There's a lot more openness about being gay, and I don't think it's something that bothers most high school seniors," the Cornell graduate says. "There's a minority of maybe 20 percent who are quite resistant to this."
The survey also found that three in four seniors oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and 63 percent support adoption by homosexual couples.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
