Overwhelming numbers of parents of school-age children support North Carolina's sex education and pregnancy prevention laws, according to a new survey commissioned by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina (APPCNC). 

According to the survey: 

• 83% of parents support the Healthy Youth Act
• 83% of parents labeled North Carolina's Minor's Right to Consent law as important. 
• 77% of parents agreed with the statement, “I want my teen to abstain from sex, but I also think he or she needs information on birth control.”

The poll of 500 parents was conducted on January 18-22, 2013 by Public Policy Polling using a survey designed by APPCNC. The survey data is designed to help local school officials and program administrators design pregnancy prevention programs that meet both state law and parents' wishes. 

Read the full survey results. 

(For a more detailed survey of how parent's feel about sex education content, view the 2009 Parent Opinion Survey.) 

Survey Highlights

Parents Link Pregnancy Prevention and School Success

• 96% of parents agree that preventing teen pregnancy improves the chances of a teen succeeding in school.
• 85% of parents agree that sex education helps prevent teen pregnancy.

Why it matters:  Parents understand that avoiding teen pregnancy helps students succeed in school. Furthermore, they see sex education as a strategy for helping students avoid teen pregnancy, which could derail academic achievement. 

Parents Are Both Responsible and Realistic

Parents were asked, “Which of these statements best describes what you want for your oldest child as a teenager?”

• 15% answered, “I want my teen to abstain from sex, so I don’t think he or she needs information on birth control.”
• 77% answered, “I want my teen to abstain from sex, but I also think he or she needs information on birth control.”
• 8% answered, “I can accept my teen being sexually active and I think he or she needs information on birth control.”

Why it matters:   Parents recognize that providing information on birth control complements a belief in abstinence, and understand that information is beneficial to their own children.

Parents Support Sex Education That Complies With The Healthy Youth Act

83% of parents favor North Carolina schools providing sex education as currently required under the Healthy Youth Act.  Of all parents, including both those who favor and oppose the teaching of sex education:

• 82% favor public schools teaching middle- and high-school students about healthy relationships.
• 84% favor public schools teaching middle- and high-school students that not having sex is the primary way to prevent pregnancy and STDs.
• 74% favor public schools teaching middle- and high-school students about condoms as a way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
• 72% favor public schools teaching middle- and high-school students about birth control as a way to prevent pregnancy.
• 86% think information given in public school sex education should be medically accurate; 10% are not sure.

Why it matters:  Parents support the Healthy Youth Act, and favor comprehensive, medically accurate sex education in public schools.

Parents Support Access to a Doctor

Current North Carolina law was passed in 1971 and allows a minor to seek health care without a parent's permission for pregnancy prevention, STI/HIV testing and treatment, substance abuse, or mental health. State law requires parental permission for abortion. 

• 83% of parents thing North Carolina’s current Minor’s Right to Consent law is important; only 13% think the current law is not important.

Why it matters:   A common argument against North Carolina’s Minor’s Right to Consent law is that it undermines parents. However, parents recognize the importance of the  law. 

Support Crosses Party Lines

• 90% of Democrats, 81% of Republicans, and 79% of independents favor schools providing sex education as currently defined under the Healthy Youth Act.
• 93% of Democrats, 76% of Republicans, and 79% of independents favor North Carolina’s current Minor’s Right to Consent law
• 80% of Democrats, 64% of Republicans, and 76% of independents agreed with the statement, “I want my teen to abstain from sex, but I also think he or she needs information on birth control.”
• 87% of Democrats, 65% of Republicans, and 70% of independents favor public schools teaching about condoms

Why it matters:  Certain pregnancy prevention policies are often viewed as more liberal or conservative. However, survey data shows that North Carolina’s current laws promoting adolescent sexual health are supported by both Republicans and Democrats.  

Methodology

• Survey developed and conducted by independent researchers with Public Policy Polling using questions developed by APPCNC.
• Margin of error of +/- 4.4% at a 95% level of confidence.
• Survey questions were developed to minimize bias and reflect a full range of opinions.
• Results are representative of North Carolina parents with regard to race, sex, political affiliation, or geographical region.
• Responses from landline users.