NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Feb. 28, 2005

New Brunswickers’ Support Abstinence Education: Poll

New Brunswickers strongly support education in sexual abstinence for middle school children, according to a SOM Inc. poll conducted Feb. 9-19. They also disapprove some of the content of the province’s new sex education program, and say the written consent of parents should be required for sex education.

The Montreal research firm conducted the 13 question poll for the Christian Action Federation (CAF) of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Right to Life Association. It has a margin of error of +/- 5.4% 19 times out of 20.

“The public is not getting what they are looking for,” said Mary Thurrott of CAF. “The new program is extremely weak on abstinence, has much that is offensive to parents, and lacks a uniform policy for parental consent.”

The poll included three abstinence-related questions. On average 85% of respondents gave a pro-abstinence reply. One question asked about students “learning positive reasons for postponing sexual intercourse until marriage” (82% approval).

There was strong disapproval (81% average) to three examples drawn from the current middle school program. One example was “Learning that for a boy and girl to masturbate each other is a method of safe sex, as long as there is no exchange of bodily fluids” (74% disapproval).

84% agreed with the statement, “Before starting a program of sex education in grades 6, 7 and 8, schools should obtain the written consent of parents.”

“Overall, the poll results prove that those expressing concerns about the existing program are strongly supported by public opinion,” said Mary Thurrott. “We hope the government is listening.”

Three poll questions found high support (88 % average) for including some material that is common to both the current program and to an abstinence-based approach. Another three questions found a sizeable percentage (32 % average) opposition to other examples drawn from the current program.

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Contacts: Mary Thurrott (Christian Action Federation) 472-5399
Peter Ryan (NB Right to Life Association) 459-8990 or 1-888-796-9600