A Comparison of Three Catholic Marital Groups on Sexual and Gender Issues

Abstract

The present study analyzed six different issues (abortion when a rape is involved, abortion as a means of birth control, premarital sex, extra-marital relations, homosexual relations, and women as priests). We hypothesized that differences would exist among a sample of Catholics based on their marital status. Specifically, we argued that the married sample would follow Catholic doctrine most closely and would therefore be most opposed to the items, while the divorced were predicted to be the most accepting. Significant differences were found on all six items with the differences supporting the hypothesis. When gender was controlled, a significant difference was found only on the homosexual item. Finally, a gender comparison within each marital status group resulted in three significant differences.

Key Words:

• Marital status
• divorce
• Catholic
• abortion
• gender
• sexuality