Gender and Political Divides Reshape Religious Affiliation Among Young Americans
A recent Pew Research survey highlights an unprecedented gender divide in political affiliation among young Americans (Gen Z). This divide, with young women leaning significantly Democratic and young men leaning Republican, is impacting religious affiliation. Research from Brigham Young University…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 8, 2026 —
A significant and widening gender gap in political affiliation among young Americans is increasingly influencing their relationship with religious institutions, according to recent research. A Pew Research survey indicates that Gen Z, the youngest adult generation, exhibits a pronounced political divide, with young women predominantly aligning with the Democratic Party and young men leaning Republican.
This political polarization appears to be a strong predictor of de-affiliation from religious upbringing, a trend examined by research from Brigham Young University. The study suggests that an individual’s political ideology plays a substantial role in whether they maintain ties to their religious background. This is particularly evident among Latter-day Saints, where political viewpoints on issues such as same-sex marriage and institutional stances on political matters are impacting religious engagement.
While the direct causality between political ideology and religious disaffiliation is a subject of ongoing research and debate among some scholars, others see a clear link. Political scientist Ryan Burge suggests that politics is emerging as a primary determinant of religiosity and non-religion. In his view, religious institutions may find themselves either alienating individuals with differing political views or serving as havens for those whose political leanings align with the perceived or actual positions of the institution.
The Pew Research findings on the gender divide in political affiliation among young adults provide a crucial demographic context for these trends in religious affiliation. As young men and women increasingly diverge in their political outlooks, their experiences within and views of religious communities are likely to follow suit, potentially leading to further fragmentation and redefinition of religious identity across the generation.
Story summarized from the original created by Brigham Tomco on www.deseret.com, see more information here.