JULY 2010 ISSN 1233-7250 POLISH VALUES: WHAT IS IMPORTANT, WHAT IS CONTENTS: PERMITTED, WHAT MUST NOT BE DONE

R POLISH VALUES: According to declarations, the most WHICH OF THESE VALUES WHAT IS IMPORTANT, important value in the life of the Polish people is the ARE MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFE? WHAT IS PERMITTED, family. Secondly, they value their health. Next in WHAT MUST NOT BE Happy family 84% DONE line are less important, but nevertheless significant Good health 74% values such as honesty, quiet life, career, faith, and Honesty 23% respect from others. Every tenth respondent counts Peace and quiet 20% Career 18% his or her education among their cherished values. Faith R ATTITUDES TO GAYS 17% AND LESBIANS The number of those mentioning a circle of friends Respect of other people 13% is similar. Such values as well-being of the Education 10% Circle of friends 10% fatherland, material well-being, and the freedom of Well-being of fatherland 7% expressing one's views occupy lower ranks in Material well-being 5% R OPINIONS hierarchy of values. Only very few respondents Freedom of expressing opinions 4% ABOUT ABORTION Adventurous life 2% count adventurous life, contact with culture, Contact with culture 1% participation in democratic socio-political life and Participation in socio-political life 1% success and fame as their most important values. 3 answers maximum R ETHICAL ASPECTS OF IN-VITRO ACTIVITIES Different types of behaviour are FERTILISATION (%) negatively evaluated both by law and Exploitation of employees 2010 96 21 1 by employer 2005 96 22 1 morality, but are nevertheless quite Accepting bribes 2010 94 4 2 1 2005 94 32 1 common, and are either controversial 2010 88 8 4 1 Beating children or even tacitly approved of. Among the PUBLIC OPINION 2005 89 7 3 1 Abusing professional position 2010 88 7 3 1 activities under evaluation, two have RESEARCH CENTER in own interest 2005 88 5 4 3 87 6 4 3 - CBOS - Marital infidelity 2010 been consistently condemned: 2005 84 8 5 2 85 4 3 1 exploitation of employees, and Offering bribes 2010 4a Żurawia 2005 91 5 2 1 accepting bribes. A vast majority of 2010 83 9 7 1 00-503 Warszawa Neglect of professional duties 2005 82 8 8 2 respondents disapprove of such actions POLAND Under-reporting income 2010 78 11 7 4 to reduce due tax 2005 76 10 10 4 as beating children, abusing 2010 73 15 12 1 Ph: (48 22) 629 35 69 Speeding professional position for one's own (48 22) 628 37 04 2005 72 12 14 2 2010 69 14 12 5 Abortion benefit, marital infidelity and giving (48 22) 693 46 91 2005 75 11 10 4 2010 67 16 15 2 bribes. It is interesting to note that Free-riding on public transport Fax:(48 22) 629 40 89 2005 58 21 19 2 offering bribes is much less frequently 2010 64 12 19 5 Homosexuality 2005 69 13 12 6 condemned that accepting them. E-mail: [email protected] Offering presents to officials 2010 64 13 20 3 http://www.cbos.pl or medical personnel for action 2005 68 14 15 3 Respondents disapprove of such Knowing purchase 2010 61 18 16 5 of counterfeit goods 2005 61 17 17 5 behaviour as neglect of professional Editor: Ending life of terminally ill 2010 53 13 26 8 duties, tax avoidance through fictitious Beata Roguska patient at his or her request 2005 60 14 18 8 2010 50 23 23 4 Electoral non-participation donations or under-reported income, 2005 33 23 29 5 2010 49 20 26 5 and speeding. About two-thirds do not Translated by Cheating during examination Michał Wenzel 2005 49 21 25 5 accept such behaviour as: abortion, 2010 44 22 32 3 Divorce 2005 54 20 23 3 free-riding on public transport, 2010 38 15 44 3 Cohabitation without marriage © COPYRIGHT BY CBOS 2010 2005 44 18 35 3 homosexuality, offering gifts to 2010 26 17 53 4 Premarital sex doctors, nurses or administration ALL SOURCES MUST BE CREDITED 2005 32 18 46 4 WHEN ANY PART OF THIS 2010 25 15 55 5 Using contraception officials for acting or speeding a PUBLICATION IS REPRODUCED 2005 28 18 48 6 decision, and knowing purchase of Wrong Ambivalent Correct Don't and unacceptable opinion or acceptable know counterfeit goods. 2 PPOLISH UBLICO PINION

The attitude is more lenient towards such disapprove of this idea. Since 2008, the number of behaviour as ending the life of a terminally ill patient at opponents has remained stable, while supporters have his or her own request, electoral non-participation, increased their numbers slightly. cheating during an examination, and divorce. About half Poles are unequivocal about marriage for gays of respondents consider each of them unacceptable. and lesbians. A large majority (78%) disagree with the Activities receiving approval more frequently introduction a law which would allow that, while 16% than disapproval are: living together in a relationship would not object. The opposition (89%) is even stronger without marriage, premarital sex, and using when the prospect of adoption of children by homosexual contraception. couples is raised. Only 6% would accept that. Compared with 2005, there has been DO YOU THINK THAT GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES liberalisation of attitudes towards some types of SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO: behaviour where moral judgements are involved. There is civil partnership with economic rights the same as with married couples increased acceptance of divorce, homosexuality, XII 2003 34% 56% 11% cohabitation, euthanasia and premarital sex. Disapproval VII 2005 46% 44% 10% V 2008 41% 48% 11% to contraception, abortion and offering gifts has declined. IV 2010 45% 47% 8%

Now Poles are more restrictive than 5 years ago marriage to such behaviour as electoral non-participation (this IV 2001 24% 69% 7% VII 2005 22% 72% 7% result is probably due to the electoral campaign during the V 2008 18% 76% 6% poll, and accompanying actions aimed at stimulating IV 2010 16% 78% 6% participation), and free-riding on public transport. adoption of children IV 2001 8% 84% 8% More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in XII 2003 8% 84% 8% VII 2005 6% 90% 4% Polish: "Polish values: what is important, what is permitted, what V 2008 6% 90% 4% must not be done", July 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: IV 2010 6% 89% 5% June 2010, N=977. The random address sample is representative for Yes No Don't know adult population of Poland. ARE THERE PROFESSIONS FROM WHICH GAYS/LESBIANS ATTITUDES SHOULD BE BANNED Yes Yes TO GAYS AND LESBIANS 44% 36%

The Polish society prevailingly considers gays lesbians 20% 41% homosexuality to be a deviation from the norm. The 36% 23% Don't No majority of respondents (63%) believe that it should be No know Don't tolerated, while a quarter (23%) think it cannot be know tolerated. Only 8% of respondents considers Poles are divided in their opinions about whether homosexuality to be normal. In recent years, tolerance to gays and lesbians should have the right to work in all homosexuality increased significantly. professions. More than two-fifths believe that there are jobs into which gays should not be allowed, while a DO YOU THINK THAT: 5% 4% smaller group (36%) think there are jobs which should 8% 8% Homosexuality is normal not be performed by lesbians.

47% The respondents supporting restrictions of 55% 52% Homosexuality is a deviation, 63% but it must be tolerated availability of certain professions for homosexuals usually mentioned occupations related to education and 41% 34% 31% Homosexuality is a deviation work with children and youth, such as teacher and 23% and it cannot be tolerated educator (77% for gays, 82% for lesbians). Many people 7% 6% 9% 6% Don't know also mentioned healthcare professions, most commonly IV 2001VII 2005 V 2008 IV 2010 the physician (24% and 26%, respectively).As far as gays Opinions about legalising civil partnership are concerned, respondents would relatively frequently between same sex couples are divided.According to 45% restrict them from performing the function of priest of respondents, there should be a law that would allow (18%). Less often restrictions concerned public functions two people of the same sex to enter into partnership such as politician, public official (6% for gays, 5% for guaranteeing them the right to tax breaks for couples and lesbians) and military and police (8% and 4%, inheritance. A marginally smaller group (47%) respectively). 3

Public display of sexual orientation by when the discussion about introducing a constitutional homosexuals encounters strong rejection. Almost two- ban on abortion was publicly conducted, the opponents of thirds (64%) of respondents believe that homosexual legal abortion were for the first time more numerous than couples should not have the right to publicly display their supporters of abortion rights. At present the proportions lifestyle, while over a quarter (29%) think the opposite. In have returned to 2007 levels, when both groups were recent years, the acceptance of public manifestation of about equal in size. gay sexual orientation in the public sphere increased. Most Poles accept abortion in cases when it is legal under current law. The support for abortion rights SHOULD GAYS AND LESBIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUBLICLY DISPLAY THEIR LIFESTYLE? when mother's life is in danger is almost universal (87%). Over three-quarters of respondents think that it should be 16% 25% 29% Yes available for women whose pregnancy threatens their health (78%), or was caused by rape or incest (78%). Three-fifths (60%) support the right to abortion if it is 78% 69% 64% No known that the child would be handicapped. The support for legal abortion in cases when it is 6% 6% 7% Don’t know currently banned is much lower. About a quarter think VII 2005 V 2008 IV 2010 that it should be legal if the woman is in difficult material (26%) or personal (23%) situation. Almost one in five More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in respondents (18%) think abortion should be legal if a Polish:"Attitudes to gays and lesbians" , July 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: April 2010, N=1056. The random address sample is woman does not want to have a child. representative for adult population of Poland. SHOULD ABORTION BE LEGAL IF: OPINIONS ABOUT ABORTION mother's life is threatened 87% 7% 6% mother's health 78% 14% 8% is threatened Abortion rights are controversial in Poland. The pregnancy is caused 78% 12% 10% discussions about them started in 1989, when by rape or incest parliamentary debate about changing the liberal 1956 child would be born 60% 25% 15% abortion law started. Since 1993, the law allows abortion handicapped only in case of pregnancy posing a threat to mother's life woman is in difficult 26% 63% 11% or health, if the foetus is irreparably damaged, or in cases material situation woman is in difficult 23% 65% 12% of pregnancy caused by illegal action. personal situation Half of Poles oppose the right to abortion, but woman doesn't want to 18% 73% 9% only one in seven (14%) supports the complete ban of all have the child abortions, while more than one-third (36%) believe there Yes No Don't know should be exceptions. At the same time, almost half (45%) think that abortion should be permitted. In this More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish:"Opinions about abortion" , July 2010. Fieldwork for national group, 7% support abortion without restrictions, and 38% sample: June 2010, N=977. The random address sample is would like to see some restrictions to abortion rights. representative for adult population of Poland.

SHOULD ABORTION BE: 70% ETHICAL ASPECTS legal 60% (with or without restrictions) OF IN-VITRO FERTILISATION 50% (IVF) 40% illegal (with or without exceptions) 30% Performing IVF is not regulated by the Polish

20% law. At present, there are several drafts of law regulating

Don't know 10% this issue. They strongly differ. Although IVF is the subject of contentious political debate, it is not 0% IX III IV VII X XI VI I X I XI IX VI controversial among the society. The level of support for ’91’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’02 ’05 ’06 '07 '10 legal IVF for childless married couple s never fell below Our surveys indicate a conservative turn in the 60% (recorded in 2008), although it varied depending on 1990s. Although the supporters of legal abortion the state of the public debate. Most recently, 73% of prevailed, the difference continuously narrowed. In 2006, respondents express support. 4 PPOLISH UBLICO PINION

SHOULD A CHILDLESS MARRIED COUPLE The Roman Catholic church consequently and HAVE THE RIGHT TO IVF? unequivocally condemns the performance of IVF. A vast majority of adult Poles (84%) are aware of the position of 1995 73% 16% 11% the Church on this matter. Only very few respondents 2003 64% 20% 16% think the Church supports IVF (1%) or has no position 2005 76% 15% 9% (4%) 2008 60% 26% 14% In spite of the widespread awareness of the

2009 77% 17% 6% Church doctrine, most respondents do not consider it as a sin to perform or support IVF. From the point of view of 2010 73% 18% 9% the majority (66% to 69%), neither physicians involved Yes No Don't know in administering this procedure, nor women undergoing The approval of IVF for heterosexual couples in it, nor its supporters commit sin. informal relationships is less common. It is accepted by the majority of respondents (58%). Still lesser is the FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW, DO … COMMIT SIN? support of IVF for single women who want to have Physicians administering IVF offspring (43%). The support of this method for single 17% 66% 16% women and unmarried couples is higher than last year. Women undergoing IVF

SHOULD AN UNMARRIED COUPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO IVF? 16% 69% 15%

2009 53% 39% 8% Politicians legalising IVF

2010 58% 32% 10% 17% 67% 16%

SHOULD A SINGLE WOMAN HAVE THE RIGHT TO IVF? Yes No Don't know 2009 39% 51% 10% More information about this topic can be found in CBOS report in Polish: 2010 43% 44% 13% "Ethical aspects of in-vitro fertilisation", July 2010. Fieldwork for national sample: June 2010, N=977. The random address sample is representative for Yes No Don't know adult population of Poland.

In addition to the reports referred to above, the following have been published recently (in Polish):

u Losses caused by Flooding

u Attitudes toward transformation and opinions about its Effects For more information on CBOS services and publications please contact: u Battle of Grunwald in Collective Memory CBOS POLAND u "Solidarity" - Memory and Oblivion 4a, Żurawia, 00-503 Warsaw Phones: (48 22) 629 35 69, 628 37 04 u Public Opinion about Magdalenka, Round Table and Sense of Betrayal Fax: (48 22) 629 40 89 e-mail: [email protected] u Party Preferences in July and Electorates of Three Largest Parties http://www.cbos.pl

u Opinions About Public Institutions Yearly subscription rate for “Polish Public Opinion” is 80 USD u Attitude to Government Circulation: 70 copies

u Trust in Politicians After Presidential Election

u Social Moods in July

u Evaluation of Presidential Election Campaign

u Flooding – Opinions About Authorities' Action and Assistance to Flood Victims

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