Study: morality barometer

As shown in the following table, Canadians view pedophilia as the most immoral type of behaviour. It is condemned by women (84%) more than men (78%), by 45 to 54 year olds (88%) more than 18 to 24 year olds (74%), by Quebeckers (91%) more than respondents from all other provinces combined (80%), by high income earners (86%) more than low income earners (66%) and more by professionals (89%) more than students (70%). The following table provides the position of Canadians on behaviours considered immoral. (n=1508) Total - Men - Women

Pedophilia: 81% - 78% - 84%
Extra-marital affairs: 74% - 68% - 81%
Prostitution: 68% - 59% - 76%
Alcohol abuse: 65% - 59% - 70%
Sexual relations before the age of 16: 65% - 61% - 68%
Pornographic films: 58% - 46% - 68%
Blasphemy: 51% - 45% - 57%
Abortion: 34% - 35% - 33%
Homosexuality: 31% - 37% - 26%
Divorce: 17% - 19% - 16%
Contraception: 8% - 9% - 8%

This study was conducted by Leger Marketing through telephone interviews among a representative sample of 1,508 English- or French-speaking Canadians, 18 years of age or older. The interviews were conducted from our Montreal and Winnipeg call centres from April 17 to April 23, 2006. Up to ten call-backs were made in the case of non-response. Using data from Statistics Canada, the results were weighted according to region, gender and language spoken at home to ensure a sample representative of the entire Canadian adult population. In the end, the maximum margin of error obtained for a sample of 1,508 respondents is ± 2.6%, 19 times out of 20.

source: Study 'Morality Barometer'; legermarketing.com/documents/ spclm/060612ENG.pdf; Leger Marketing; June 2006