"They're conservative about more than just abortion rights.
Ideologically, yes. But often they're not living conservatively. Casual sex and cohabitation lead inevitably to the supposed "need" for abortion. I think that's the main reason so many students change their minds on abortion by the time they finish college, as the UCLA survey documents."
Wow...strong statement that supports the stereotype of a teenager/college student. I'm assuming you aren't one currently as most people who are realize what a gross remark this is. I am a college student and though I may be somewhat sheltered (not much) by the teachings of a Jesuit university (Fordham University, in the Bronx, NY...just for reference sake), casual sex and cohabitation are not the norm. Sure, there are people that participate, just as there are people who smoke and do drugs and drink, but it's an overstatement to assume or imply that teenagers and their lifestyles are not conservative. Maybe we need, in 2003, a new definition of conservative being that casual sex and cohabitation seem to be the definition of mainstream to you (perhaps you put much too much faith in what you read...). Next time I ask you not make such generalizations. It's offending to those of us who live the conservative lifestyle you speak of.