A Simple Difference of Opinion? Religious Beliefs and Gender Gaps in Public Opinion in Canada

Abstract

Conventional research on the gender gap in public opinion in Canada suggests that on some issues women and men think differently. In public opinion surveys, women consistently are more dovish than men on questions of defence and the state's use of force, and more liberal 2 on questions of welfare and the state's role in the economy. These differences are seen to arise from two sources: differences in income and in support for feminism. This conventional research fails to acknowledge that women and men often hold similar views and that, on occasion, women's opinions are more conservative than men's. Gender differences in attitudes cannot properly be understood without also examining religious beliefs, a factor that is often given only limited attention. Religious beliefs help to explain the political attitudes of women and men: they directly frame political views on a number of issues, and often act as a counterweight to the liberal values inherent in feminism.Even when it appears that women and men hold similar opinions on issues, there may exist gender differences in the sources of their opinions. But such differences are hidden in research that focuses only on issues in which gender differences appear, to the exclusion of Brenda O'Neill,

Religion and Grassroots Social Conservatism in Canada

“…In addition, federal political parties have seen a number of changes-including the creation of the socially conservative, western-Canadian-based Reform party in 1987; its rebranding as the Canadian Alliance party in 2000; and the merger of that party with the Progressive Conservatives in 2003, which formed the current Conservative party of Canada. Many understand the association between level of religiosity and vote choice as an issue voting effect (Raymond, 2011;Smidt et al, 2010;Van der Brug et al, 2009). Those actively involved with a religious group are more likely to be regularly exposed to right-leaning values within their congregations, families and faith-based schools, as well as within their network of friends and acquaintances who are more likely to share their religious identities and beliefs (Adkins et al, 2013;Ang and Petrocik, 2012;Harrison and Michelson, 2015;Nicolet and Tresch, 2009;O'Neill, 2001;Putnam and Campbell, 2010;Raymond, 2011;Reimer, 2003;Reimer and Wilkinson, 2015;Smidt et al, 2010;Van der Brug et al, 2009). To be clear, however, not all organized religious groups have more conservative teachings and values on issues such as premarital sex, homosexuality, abortion, family life and gender roles.…”

The Gender Gap and the Changing Woman Voter in Canada

“…7. For the use of the latter argument in the examination of gender gaps in opinion, see O'Neill (2001). 8.…”

Regional Political Cultures in Canada

“…according to Wilson, were symptomatic of different stages of political development, which in turn could account for variations in political values. Researchers on political cleavages also notes that there are variations in attitudes and behaviour between women and men, French and English speakers, among different religious groups and rural and urban voters Burt, 1986;Everitt, 1998;Mendelsohn and Nadeau, 1997;Nevitte, 1996;O'Neill, 2001;Wearing and Wearing, 1991;Gidengil, 1989;Ornstein, 1986!. Some of these characteristics cluster in different regions, compounding the potential existence of regional political preferences.…”