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University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Nationai Cornparisons of Euthanasia Opinion Polk by Michelie L. Beauchamp A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in Partiai FulGllment of the Requiremenb for the Degree of Master of Science Department of Fnmily Studies University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba National Library Bibliothéque nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington Ottawa ON KIA W OttawaON K1AûN4 Canada CaMda The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence ailowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or seil reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in rnicrofom, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la foxme de microfiche/£iim, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fkom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othemise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES +**** COPYRIGHT PERMISSION PAGE Nationai Cornparisons of Euthrnasia Opinion Poils A Thesis/Practicum sobmitted to the Faculty of Cnduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in para.] fbllilhcnt of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science MICHELLE L. BEAUCaAMP 01999 Permission has ken granted to the Library of The University of Manitoba to lend or sell copies of this thesidpncticum, to the National Libnry of Canada to microfilm this thesis and to lend or seU copies of the mm, and to Dissertations Ahtracts international to pubtish an abstract of this thesis/pncticam. The author reserves other publication rights, and neither this thcsis/pncticum nor ertensive extracts from it mry be printed or otherwise reproduced witbout the author's written permission. 1 hereby declare that Iam the sole author of this thesis. 1 authorize the University of Manitoba to lend this thesis to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. Michelle Beauchamp 1 further authorize the University of Manitoba to reproduce this thesis by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. M ichelle Beauchamp The University of Manitoba requires the signatures of al1 persons using or photocopying this thesis. Please sien below?and pive address and date. A bstract This research project examined changing public opinions towards euthanasia in the United States and Canada. The method was a secondary analysis of the American General Social Survey ( 1982. 1988. 199 1. 1993. and 1994) and the Canadian Gallup Pol1 ( 1984. 1 990. and 199 1 ). The sarnple consisted of 4,023 telephone interviews with Canadians and 35- 284 with people from the United States. Seven variables were exarnined in relation to ruthanasia. including age of respondent. gender. income, education. religious affiliation. community size. and marital status. The results indicated that Canadians were not more accepting of euthanasia than Americans. Further results show that in Canada and the United States attitudes toward euthanasia were unrelated to gender. income. commun ity size. and marital status. In Canada and the United States younger individuals were more accepting of euthanasia than other age groups. In Canada. Jews were less positive towards euthanasia than the other religions. but in the United States Jews were the most positive. Further research is necessary to test multivariate predictors of euthanasia opinions. Acknowledgments 1 extend my gratitude and appreciation to the memben of my cornmittee: Dr. C. Harvey. Dr. J. Bond. and Dr. B. Payne for their pertinent comments and guidelines. and willingness to assist me in the successful completion of this thesis. 1 am deeplp indebted to Dr. C. Harvey who has played an essential role as my advisor. Dr. Harvey has been a source of integrity. hi& academic standards and confidence for me. I am sincerely grateful. I am thankful to my parents and my husband. Cor their patience. encouragement- and guidance which have permined me to persevere. Finally, 1 would like to thank my grandmother who brought this topic to my attention on a persona1 level. She had always encouraged and guided me. Table of Contents Page Abstract ....... ..... ................................................................. iv Acknowledgments.. .. .. .. .. .. -. .-. .-. -. -. - - - -.-. -.. .. .. v . - - List of TabIes ................................................................................... vii~ Chapter 7 I. Introduction... .. ..... ..m..-.-. .-----.....---. .*.. .-...---. ...--.-. ..-.. .. ....... Staternent of Problem .............................................. ............. 5 " -- Definition of Terrns .............................................................. 5 II. Theoretical Perspective ......................................................8 HI. Review of Literature ........................................................ 1 1 Age and Religion Affecting Opinions............................ 1 1 Gender Affecting Opinions .............................................. 1 1 Health Concems Affecting Opinions............................... 12 Medical Perspective with Cornparisons between the United States and Canada .......................................................... .. 13 Legal Perspective... .. .. .. .. -1 8 . Religious Perspectives ...................................................... 22 Euthanasia Opinion Changes Over Time ........................ 25 1 V. Methodology... - .. .. .. .. -. -. .. -. .. - - - -.. .. .- *. -.. - - .-.- -26 Research Design ............................................................ 26 Sarnples ........................................................................ -26 Variables and Hypotheses ............................................. -27 V . Results ............................................................................ 33 Sample Descriptions and Country Cornparisons............. -33 Hypothesis Testing......................................................... 33 VI . Discussion .................................................................... 52 Limitations .................................................................... 56 Suggestions for Further Research................................. 57 . Implications ............................................................... -38 VII . Conclusions ................................................................. 60 Re ferences .......................................................................... 62 Appendices ......................................................................... 67 A . Sample Description for the Canadian Gallup Pol1 in Percentages ................................................................. -67 B . Sample Description for the Arnerican General Social S urvey in Percentages ................................................... 70 vii List of Tables Table Page Percentage of Respondents in Canadian Gallup Poll Ageeing that Doctors Can End Lik. by Age and Year............................................. ..35 Percentage of Respondents in American General Social Survey Agreeing that Doctors can End Life. by Age and Year......................... 36 Percentage of Respondents in Canad ian Gallup Pol l Asreeing that Doctors can End Life, by Gender and Year ........................................... 37 Percentage of Respondents in American General Social Survey Agreeing that Doctors can End Life. by Gender and Year.................... 38 Percentage of Respondents in Canadian Gallup Poll Agreeing that Doctors can End Life. by lncome and Year ........................................... -39 Percentage of Respondents in American General Social Survey Agreeing that Doctors can End Life. by lncome and Year ..................... 10 Pcrcentage of Respondents in Canadian Gallup Poll Agreeing that Doctors can End Life, by Year. .............................................................. 4 1 Percentage of Respondents in American General Social Suwey Agreeing that Doctors can End Litè, by Year ....................................... 4 1 Percentage of Respondents in Canad ian Gallup Pol 1 Agreeing Doctors can End Life, by Education and Year ................................... .A2 VI11 1 O. Percentage of Respondents in Amencan General Social Survey Agreeing that Doctors can End Life, by Education and Year ............ 44 1 1 . Percentage of Respondents in Canadian Gallup Pol1 Agreeîng that Doctors can End Life, by Religion and Year ............................ ..45 1 2. Percentage of Respondents in Amencan General Social Survey Agreeing that Doctors can End Life. by Religion and Year ..............46 13. Percentage of Respondents in Canadian Gallup Poll Agreeing that Doctors can End Life, by Comrnunity Size and Year .............. ..47 14. Percentage of Respondents in American General Social Survey Agreeing that Doctors can End Life. by Cornmunity Size and Year ................ 48 1 5. Percentage of Respondents in Canadian Gallup Poll Agreeing that Doctors can End Life, by Marital Status and Year ........................... 49 1 6 Percentage of Respondents in American General Social
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