2010 Zogby Poll

A Zogby poll in 2010 asked a survey of likely American voters: In general, parents have the constitutional right to make decisions for their children without government interference unless there is proof of abuse or neglect. Do you agree or disagree with this view of parental rights?

The overwhelming majority—93.6%—either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with this statement.

By party affiliation:

• Democrat: 92.4%
• Republican: 97.5%
• Independent: 90.8%

By gender:

• Male: 95.1%
• Female: 92.3%

By race:

• White: 93.1%
• Hispanic: 95.5%
• African-American: 96.6%
• Asian: 91.8%
• Other: 90.8%

By religion:

• Catholic: 94.8%
• Protestant: 94.1%
• Jewish: 80.8%
• Other/None: 92.6%

By income:

• <$25K: 92.7%
• $25K-$35K: 95.4%
• $35K-$50K: 97.5%
• $50K-$75K: 89.6%
• $75K-$100K: 94.9%
• $100K+: 93.4%

See the entire poll data here.

Work is underway to gain an updated understanding of the current American mindset. But these numbers, even if a little dated, paint a clear picture of a country that is not the least divided on what the proper role of parents should be in the lives of their children—and that government interference is generally not wanted or needed.

Regardless of religion, political party, ethnicity, or any other factor that this poll could identify, Americans are united on this: unless there is proof of abuse or neglect, parents, not government, have the right to make decisions for their children.