The new SWS poll on the Reproductive Health Bill shows that the “immorality” and “promiscuity” arguments, as well as the abortion-scare tactics being employed by its opponents, have not gain traction at all. I dare say they are even counter-productive.
Some key results:
1. Fifty percent (50%) of those surveyed do not consider the use of condoms, contraceptive pills and even IUDs as “abortion”, with only 33% agreeing with the position of the Church.
2. Only 15% disagree with the basic premise that there should be a law requiring the government to make available contraceptive methods to the public, with a firm 68% in agreement.
3. Only 25% believe that teaching family planning to the youth would lead to promiscuity. Fifty-five percent believe otherwise.
4. A solid 75% agree that family planning should be taught to the youth, with only 15% disagreeing.
Overall, only 8% are opposed to the RH bill, 21% undecided and 71% in favor. (Though it is questionable whether all of those polled have gone through the entire bill, those who argue that once the people read it they’ll reject it apparently are not doing a very good job.)
Which brings me back to my point: the bill’s opponents should raise the level of the debate. The old arguments are either simply not working, or, worse, are working against them.
Read more about the latest SWS survey in Mahar Mangahas’ column here.
