It seems that there are some things we still really butt heads on. From Gallup:
PRINCETON, NJ -- Americans generally agree about the morality of 12 out of 16 behaviors or social policies that sometimes spark public controversy, with sizable majorities saying each is either "morally acceptable" or "morally wrong." By contrast, views on doctor-assisted suicide, gay and lesbian relations, abortion, and having a baby outside of marriage are closely divided -- the percentage supporting and the percentage opposing are within 15 points of each other.
That the cultural taboo of having a baby outside of marriage is one of these four most controversial issues surprises me a bit. I suppose it shouldn't, as I assume much of the disapproval comes from biblical and other religious circles and we're a nation of mostly religious Christians but it still just seems a largely outmoded concern to me. I'm guessing that attitudes on race also have something to do with it since blacks and Hispanics have significantly higher numbers of unwed mothers per capita than whites. I had assumed that we'd gotten past this particular social stigma but I guess there are always going to be reasons to disapprove of others' behaviours.(via)
3 comments:
I read a couple of articles about a year ago that found teen pregnancy is higher among Christian conservatives than other segments - probably because they are against sex ed and abortion. Interesting poll.
I wonder if people are voting on bastard children or the (likely) dysfunctional relationship that child is possibly going to deal with.
I'm also assuming it's why Hispanics have such high out of wedlock birthrates, Leslie: the whole Catholics against condoms thing.
Who's to say, one L? I'd wager it's a mix of prejudice and concerns about future criminality.
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