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Contraception in Schools OK with Most U.S. Adults
An AP poll found that 67% of adults support access to contraception in public schools.
About two thirds of U.S. adults support the in-school provision of contraception to students, either with the consent of their parents (37%) or without (30%), according to a recent Associated Press poll. Random telephone interviews of 1004 adults were conducted in response to a news story about a Maine middle school providing contraception to students.
The respondents were split on whether in-school contraceptive access would encourage students to have intercourse earlier (46%) or not (49%), but most (62%) felt such access would reduce the number of teen pregnancies. Slightly more than half felt that emphasizing sex education and birth control was the preferable way to reduce teen pregnancies, while 46% felt that "emphasizing morality and abstinence" was better. Respondents were primarily white (76%), had at least a high school education (91%), and represented all U.S. geographic areas. Only 37% were the parents of a school-age child.
Comment: The pregnancy rate in 15- to 19-year-olds dropped 27% from 1991 to 2003, primarily because of increased contraceptive use (Journal Watch Women’s Health Feb 1 2007). The 2001 Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Health Behavior reported that providing contraceptive information to adolescents does not lower age at first intercourse or increase frequency of intercourse or number of sexual partners but instead can promote contraceptive use in sexually active teens. These poll results suggest that the message is getting through.
Published in Journal Watch Women's Health November 8, 2007
Citation(s):
Ipsos Public Affairs. The Associated Press poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs: Project #81-5681-65. Teen Contraception Study. Oct 23–25 , 2007. (http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/client/act_dsp_pdf.cfm?name=071101-1topline.pdf&id=3702)