A recent poll reveals a significant gap in reported happiness levels between conservative and liberal women. The 2024 American Family Survey indicates that conservative women are considerably more likely to express complete satisfaction with their lives compared to their liberal peers. This survey, conducted by YouGov for Deseret News and Brigham Young University's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, involved 3,000 participants nationwide.
Among women aged 18-40, 37% of conservatives reported being "completely satisfied" with their lives, compared to 28% of moderates and only 12% of liberals. The study also found a stark contrast in reported loneliness, with liberal women nearly three times more likely to experience frequent loneliness than conservative women.
University of Virginia sociology professor and Institute for Family Studies fellow, Brad Wilcox, suggests several factors contributing to this disparity. He posits that conservative women tend to possess a stronger sense of personal agency, viewing themselves as in control of their destinies rather than victims of external forces. They are also less prone to catastrophizing about current events.
The survey also highlighted differences in relationship status. A larger percentage of liberal women (40%) identified as single compared to conservative women (33%), while a greater proportion of conservative women (51%) were married compared to liberal women (31%). Wilcox notes the significance of marriage and family as sources of meaning and purpose, potentially explaining the higher satisfaction levels among married conservative women.
Furthermore, Wilcox observes that conservative women are more likely to embrace traditional gender roles and prioritize family and religious involvement, factors that research suggests can contribute to overall well-being.
The 2024 American Family Survey, released in early February 2025, provides valuable insights into the factors influencing women's happiness and underscores the complex interplay of political ideology, relationship status, and personal values.
