1. To start with, I am going to read to you a proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution:
“The right of a parent to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right.”

Do you support or oppose this amendment? And, is that STRONGLY (support/oppose) or only SOMEWHAT (support/oppose)?

87% TOTAL SUPPORT
65% STRONGLY SUPPORT
22% SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

7% TOTAL OPPOSE
3% SOMEWHAT OPPOSE
4% STRONGLY OPPOSE
5% DON’T KNOW
1% REFUSED

2. Thinking over the past 10 years or so, do you believe that the traditional rights of parents to make decisions about their children’s upbringing have been undermined by the government a great deal, somewhat, a small amount or not at all as compared to ten years ago?

68% TOTAL UNDERMINED
29% GREAT DEAL
39% SOMEWHAT

27% TOTAL NOT UNDERMINED
13% SMALL AMOUNT
14% NOT AT ALL
4% DON’T KNOW
1% REFUSED

3. Some people have claimed that this amendment might make it more difficult to prosecute child abuse cases. Some legal scholars dispute this claim and say that this amendment would allow child abuse prosecutions to continue on under current law.

A clarifying amendment has been suggested to insure protection against child abuse which reads as follows: “The state maintains a compelling interest in investigating, prosecuting, and punishing child abuse and neglect as defined by statute.”

Would you be more or less likely to support the parental rights amendment if the language about prosecuting child abuse was added to it? And, would that be MUCH (more/less) likely or only SOMEWHAT (more/less) likely?

77% TOTAL MORE LIKELY
46% MUCH MORE LIKELY
31% SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY

13% TOTAL LESS LIKELY
7% SOMEWHAT LESS LIKELY
6% MUCH LESS LIKELY
4% MAKES NO DIFFERENCE
5% DON’T KNOW
2% REFUSED

I now have just a few more questions for statistical purposes.

4. What is your age please?
20% 18-32
28% 33-44
39% 45-64
12% 65+
1% REFUSED

Are you currently....
64% MARRIED
19% SINGLE
9% DIVORCED
2% SEPARATED
5% WIDOWED
1% REFUSED

Do you have any children living at home with you? [IF YES:] How many?
40% TOTAL CHILDREN AT HOME
17% YES — 1
17% YES — 2
6% YES — 3 OR MORE
59% NO CHILDREN AT HOME
1% REFUSED (DO NOT READ)