Liberals are more likely to teach their children values about tolerance compared to conservatives, who prioritize religious faith, new research has found.
According to a
Pew Research Center survey conducted April 29-May 27 among 3,243 adults, there are sharp ideological differences in what parents choose to emphasize in the upbringing of their children.
The research analyzed 12 different qualities taught to children, including responsibility, hard work, manners, persistence, tolerance and faith. Respondents were told to choose their top three most important priorities.
In addition to faith, large numbers of conservatives also emphasize obedience and hard work. Liberals were more concerned with empathy and helping others.
Among the public generally, teaching children responsibility is viewed as the most important quality, with 93 percent of those surveyed saying it is "especially important."
Large majorities in all ideological groups also think it is important to teach children independence, hard work and good manners.
"The areas of ideological agreement and disagreement are revealing," the Pew Research Center said in a statement.
The organization noted that the starkest ideological differences are over the importance of teaching religious faith, with 81 percent of consistently conservative respondents saying it is especially important for children to be taught religious faith compared to just 26 percent of those with consistently liberal views.
By comparison, 86 percent of consistent liberals say teaching "empathy for others" is important, compared to 55 percent of consistent conservatives who agree.
"The relationship between ideology and opinions about the importance of teaching religious faith is partly, but not wholly, explained by the strong association between religious affiliation and ideological consistency," Pew said.
"However, differences among ideological groups in these opinions hold even after controlling for religious affiliation and demographic factors."