Sex and politics: Where the candidates stand

Posted by Hilary del Campo on September 30, 2008 
Filed Under In the news

Earlier this semester, Dr. Gravlee distinguished between fact and value and clarified that our job as social scientists is to examine the range of variation in human sexuality across time and space. It is up to you to incorporate knowledge about human sexuality into your own value system.

The upcoming presidential election is an opportunity for you to put this principle into practice. For most of you, it will be the very first opportunity to vote in a presidential election. Don’t miss the opportunity. To vote in Florida, you must be registered by next Monday, October 6. Register, read up on the issues, and get to the polls to vote.

This year, as in other recent elections, the candidates are divided on issues related to human sexuality. Here’s a breakdown of where the presidential and vice-presidential candidates stand on abortion, sexuality education, and civil rights related to gender and sexual orientation.

John McCain, Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Senator, Arizona

On abortion: Is pro-life. Supports abortion in circumstances of rape with no genetic testing for proof. Used to be in favor of Roe vs. Wade (the 1973 Supreme Court decision allowing abortion) because feared women would receive dangerous and illegal abortions; now wants to overturn Roe v. Wade, making abortion a state-by-state (instead of federal) concern. In favor of the partial-birth abortion ban decreed by the Supreme Court.

On civil rights for same-sex couples: Leave gay marriage decisions to each state, yet supported a same-sex marriage ban in home state of Arizona and the California same-sex marriage ban (overturned). Opposed to adoption among same-sex couples. Voted against adding sexual orientation to federal hate crimes. Upholds the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of gays in the military.

On sexual education in the classroom: Upholds abstinence-until-marriage education.

Sarah Palin, Republican vice presidential candidate, Governor of Alaska

On abortion: Pro-life. Strictly anti-abortion (except when the mother’s life is at risk) even in cases of rape. When publicly asked what she would do if her underage daughter were pregnant and revealed that the baby was conceived during rape, she said she would forbid abortion, opting for her to have the child. (In an ironic twist of fate, her daughter did become pregnant a year and a half after making this comment, although not during a rape. She is currently 17 years old and five months pregnant). Against using public funds for abortion. Supportive of overturning Roe vs. Wade.

On civil rights for same-sex couples: Opposed to same-sex marriage. Vetoed bill denying benefits to homosexuals, claiming such rights are “unconstitutional”. Remains silent on the “pray away the gays” movement, even as the Wasilla Bible Church she regularly attends just held a conference at which they claimed homosexuals were converted to heterosexuals through prayer and accepting Jesus Christ as their savior (Palin is an evangelical Protestant).

On sexual education in schools: Opposes programs that teach explicit sex education. Supports abstinence-only sexual education, although has waffled on this topic since her 17-year old daughter became pregnant. During her time as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin inquired about the possibility of banning books from the public library that taught sexuality from other perspectives, raising concern among educational professionals.

Barack Obama, Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Senator, Illinois

On abortion: Pro-choice. Committed to preserving Roe vs. Wade. Critical of Supreme Court ban on partial birth abortions. If elected, would propose a plan he created called the Prevention First Act, which increases funding for family planning, works to provide medical insurance for contraception, increases public knowledge of emergency contraception, and provides support for rape victims.

On civil rights and homosexuality: Supportive of homosexual civil unions. Voted repeatedly to outlaw discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and/or identity. Supports full adoptive rights for same-sex couples. Supports adding “conspiracy against civil rights” to hate crimes statute to protect rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters. Wants to rescind “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing homosexuals to openly serve in the military.

On sexual education in schools: Voted for age-appropriate sex education from kindergarten forward that would provide extensive information on abstinence and safe sex methods. Feels sex education from an early age can help keep children safe and protect them from molestation.

Joe Biden, Democratic vice presidential candidate, U.S. Senator, Delaware

On abortion: Pro-choice. Strong supporter of Roe vs Wade, but no federal funding for abortions. Believes that life begins at conception, per the Catholic Church (he is a practicing Catholic). Committed to securing funds for and making contraception available to the public.

On civil rights and LGBT: Supportive of LGBT rights. Supportive of same-sex civil unions and opposes constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, but personally opposed to same-sex marriage. Has said he is supportive of same-sex couples receiving federal benefits but has voted against it in the past.

On sexual education in schools: supports sexual education in schools that is age appropriate, comprehensive, and based in science.

After reading up on the candidates’ positions, please share your viewpoint on these or other questions:

  1. What would be the consequences of making abortion illegal? Do you think the number of abortions would increase, decrease, or stay the same? If you think they would continue, how and by whom?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence-only sex education?
  3. What is the appropriate role for the government to play in a woman’s decision about abortion? How about in marriages and unions between same-sex couples?
  4. What role should religion play a role in who Americans elect president? Do you feel these candidates represent the religious diversity of this country?

Remember, to be eligible to vote in Florida, you must register by October 6.

Sources, and for more information:

John McCain’s home page
Barack Obama’s home page 
The Lang Report
On the Issues
CBS News
The New York Times breaks down running mates and candidates on the issues

Comments

5 Responses to “Sex and politics: Where the candidates stand”

  1. Sigrun Ahlquist on October 1st, 2008 10:49 am

    I find it interesting that people who want to return to “old-fashioned” morals completely ignore the fact that during the Victorian era of prim-and-proper, it was rather easy to buy patent medicine to treat “female complaints,” otherwise known as an unwanted pregnancy…and they usually did have ingredients, such as pennyroyal, that would force miscarriage (though there were enough other harmful chemicals that could kill in those so-called medicines).

    The sad thing about abortion is that there will ALWAYS be women who get pregnant when they don’t want to, and some of these women will go to great lengths to make sure they don’t stay pregnant. Making abortion illegal may sway some women into keeping their children, but some will still try everything to get rid of the baby they do not want, usually because they can’t afford to keep it.

    I wonder if there has been a study done about abortion and why women have it done. I expect we would find that the most common reason is inability to financially support a child, but the results might be surprising. I also wonder whether there’s a significant socioeconomic difference in addition to the obvious religious splits in pro-health and pro-life.

  2. Lance Gravlee on October 1st, 2008 8:18 pm

    You raise some important questions about abortion, Sigrun. The short answer is that studies have been done on the social patterning of abortion and how women explain their choice. You’re right that economic inequalities appear to be a major factor. There are also data on abortion rates under varying legal systems to inform our thinking about how the legal status of abortion affects its frequency. I’ll discuss these issues in Week 11 of the semester.

  3. Lawrence on October 1st, 2008 10:16 pm

    What would be the consequences of making abortion illegal? Do you think the number of abortions would increase, decrease, or stay the same? If you think they would continue, how and by whom?
    They would decrease not for lack of trying by women who want them, but because doctors would be less inclined to give them if abortion was illegal. I am personally infavor of abortion being illegal in all but life threatening cases, even rape.

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence-only sex education?
    The only advantage is for people who have chosen to wait till marriage so they don’t feel alone. I think we should teach safe sex, not no sex, because we would help the greatest amount of kids.

    What is the appropriate role for the government to play in a woman???s decision about abortion? How about in marriages and unions between same-sex couples?
    As for abortion, the government should protect the life of the baby. No qualms about it. As for the marriage and gay unions, the government should stay out of it. They have no right to tell adults whether or not they can live together and receive the benefits of said union.

    What role should religion play a role in who Americans elect president? Do you feel these candidates represent the religious diversity of this country?
    I think relgion’s only role should be to make sure the President is a moral and just man. Anything beyond that is not seperating church and state.

  4. Candace on October 6th, 2008 3:50 pm

    I took Contemporary Moral Issues during summer B, and we discussed aboortion as well as many other controversial issues. I would definitely recommend taking the class if you would like to voice your opinion while backing it up. I have always been pro-life. I believe that abortion is murder, and I never really understood how people could think otherwise. The morals class opened my eyes to new ways of thought, but even after listening to everyone’s insight, I remain anti-abortion. It is a fact that the embryonic heart begins to beat about 22 days (or 5 weeks) after conception. As far as I am concerned, a human’s offspring is considered human when the heart begins to beat. It has life, and who has the right to take someone else’s life away without their consent? Abortion is the best option.

    I always try to put myself in the pregnant woman’s shoes to better understand what I would do in the particular situation. I hope to become a doctor, and even if I became pregnant before reaching that dream, I would not have an abortion even though it would change my life forever. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason and everyone comes into this world with a purpose. That unborn baby has a purpose, and it deserves a chance.

    The government has the right to make abortion illegal if it is believed that it is murder. Making abortion illegal would make people control their sexuality more. Why have safe sex if you can just go to an abortion clinic and solve the problem?

  5. Nora on October 25th, 2008 4:34 pm

    1) Making abortion illegal would be infringement on a woman’s rights to make decisions about her body. When a woman decides to get an abortion it is a choice made due to the lack of ability to raise a child. It may be do to inability to financially support a child, it may be due to immaturity, or maybe it was a mistake. Point being is that if abortion is made illegal women will either find alternative ways for aborting the fetus or the child will be born into an environment that is not suited for their healthy development. Alternative abortions can be very dangerous and life threatening and raising a child in an environment not suited for them is cruel and unfair to them as beings. Abortion is not going to stop so the resources for safe, legal abortions should be advocated and remain in practice.

    2) The teaching of abstinence only sex education in school is a very dangerous development. To simply tell a child they should not do something is not as effective as explaining to them why they shouldn’t do it. By teaching kids at early ages how sex works they will be able to understand what it means, the importance of safe sex and how to avoid dangerous situations, including the contraction of STDs and molestation/rape. Young people are going to experiment with their sexuality no matter if someone tells them not to, why not give them the tools to do so safely instead of end up infected with a serious and possible life threatening disease or pregnant?

    4) Religion should play absolutely no role on who Americans elect as president. We live in a country that is meant to be tolerant of all races, cultures, and religions. This country may be primarily made up of christians, but that doesn’t mean that majority should rule. We need to develop a country that is fair and just not based on the religious teachings of various people, but the rights that we have as citizens of the United States of America. As for judging a person’s morality based on their religious practices, I don’t think that is a very accurate judgement. I myself am not a religious person in the least and my morals and values are of good nature. I don’t think that a person should be judged by their religion but more so by their ideas and beliefs that develop from their religious (or non religious) standings.