The real divide here is on gender, not Catholicism

[kpete]

The polling data makes this clear that there's no conflict between Catholics and everyone else. But there are two groups that show huge divergences in the polling data on this: men and women.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/02/07/Catholics-favor-healthcare-contraception/UPI-60501328655161/

However, women were significantly more likely to favor free contraception through employee healthcare plans at 62 percent versus 47 percent of men, while 54 percent of women agreed religiously affiliated colleges and hospitals should provide this coverage versus 43 percent of men.

The religious arguments have no real effect on men's support or non-support of it; they either think it's a benefit or they don't. And the majority don't. The spread between men and women on whether or not contraception should be a covered benefit is 15 points. The non-existent spread between Catholics and non is drawing a bunch of attention, but here is the real story.

The only reason this is controversial is that a majority of men oppose it.

.........................

Blah, blah, disclaimer that I'm not saying that all men are sexist pigs. So quit your whining. 47% men support this, after all. So there you go. Nearly half of American men aren't repugnant sexists. That's genuine progress. Nor are all women angels on this. We have 38% of women not supporting this, putting them in the repugnant sexist category. That women can be repugnatn sexists shouldn't be news to readers. See the below post on Maggie Gallagher for evidence.

more:
http://pandagon.net/index.php/site/comments/the-real-divide-here-is-on-gender-not-catholicism

[annabanana]

1. It makes sense. Republicans want their women

back in the house, barefoot & pregnant.. Just like "the good old days"

Nothing has changed.

[southernyankeebelle]

2. Women will vote on this issue with the democrats. Wonder how many men think it is right

that the little blue pill they can get for free thru their health insurance yet women have to pay for their pill? That isn't fair.

[Shandris]

3. Too many, I'd say.

And yes, it is both unfair and disgusting.

[southernyankeebelle]

4. You know not all men aren't unfeeling about women. But I have a feeling if men were able

to carry a baby and give birth they sure would understand what women feel like. I hate religious leaders thinking women are stupid and can't make informed decisions without mens input. Isn't that silly.

[NC_Nurse]

5. Do they want to pay for anyone else's boner pills? I bet they do.

They might have some empathy for that problem.

I am not surprised in the least by this. Plenty of sexist bullshit alive and well in this country.