Eighty per cent of Maltese are against child adoptions by same-sex couples, according to a survey commissioned by the Church. The survey carried out by Misco, a research firm, found that opposition towards gay adoptions was found across all age groups.
The split was less pronounced in the 18 to 24 age group, where opposition to gay adoptions stood at 53.5 per cent but soared to more than 81 per cent in all age groups between 25 and 64.
Opposition stood at 92 per cent among the over 65s
Gay adoptions were a big no-no for those aged over 65, where opposition stood at 92 per cent.
The Sunday Times of Malta was only shown the results related to gay adoptions, which formed part of a wider survey on civil unions commissioned by the Church in October. The survey polled 500 people.
In an interview with this newspaper today, Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna (see pages 10 and 11) says politicians have a duty to take note of the opposition to gay adoptions as he calls for MPs to be given a free vote on the controversial issue.
Parliament is debating the Civil Unions Bill that will give gay couples the same rights and obligations as marriage, including the chance to adopt children as a couple.
Results showed that opposition to gay adoptions was equal among men and women (80 per cent against). A breakdown by socio-economic classification showed that opposition was less pronounced among the professional classes but still reached 71 per cent.
A regional overview showed that Gozo remained a bulwark of conservatism with opposition to gay adoptions hitting 88 per cent.
The strongest support for gay adoptions was found in the northern harbour area that includes Birkirkara, Swieqi, Sliema and San Ġwann where a quarter of people agreed with adoptions by same-sex couples.
The Church’s survey, however, shows an increase in support for gay adoptions since 2007 when Eurobarometer found that only seven per cent of Maltese agreed with adoptions by same sex couples. The Church survey showed that support now stands at 20 per cent.
Adoption law as it stands today allows single people to adopt. It is an open secret that gay individuals have feigned being single in order to adopt.
It is unclear how many children live in households with gay couples but the lack of formal recognition for the adults’ relationship means that only one of the partners is a legally recognised parent.
The Civil Unions Bill, which includes a clause on child adoption, will give gay people in a formally recognised union the right to start an adoption process as a couple.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com