The Right Kind of Children: Christian Nationalism, Religiosity, and Support for Selective Versus General Pronatalism.
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| Title: | The Right Kind of Children: Christian Nationalism, Religiosity, and Support for Selective Versus General Pronatalism. |
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| Authors: | Perry, Samuel L. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). Jun2026, Vol. 65 Issue 2, p399-413. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Christian nationalism, Natalism, Religiousness, Masculinity, Population dynamics, Cultural nationalism, Birth rate |
| Abstract: | Declining American birth rates are a growing national concern, especially among the Christian right. I propose that support for "general pronatalism" (policies that encourage more Americans to have children) and "selective pronatalism" (policies that encourage only certain Americans to have children to preserve demographic dominance) are distinct in their religious antecedents. I use recent nationally representative survey data with an experimental component to test my expectations. Regression models show general pronatalism is predicted by religious commitment and insecure masculinity, whereas selective pronatalism is predicted by Christian nationalism, insecure masculinity, and belief in replacement theory. A wording experiment affirms these distinct religious influences: Religious commitment predicts only general pronatalism; Christian nationalism only selective pronatalism. Moreover, interactions show Christian nationalism's association with selective pronatalism is strongest among those who are less religious. Overall, general pronatalism reflects a stronger attachment to conventional religion, whereas selective pronatalism is more strongly related to secularized ethno‐traditionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) is the property of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Declining American birth rates are a growing national concern, especially among the Christian right. I propose that support for "general pronatalism" (policies that encourage more Americans to have children) and "selective pronatalism" (policies that encourage only certain Americans to have children to preserve demographic dominance) are distinct in their religious antecedents. I use recent nationally representative survey data with an experimental component to test my expectations. Regression models show general pronatalism is predicted by religious commitment and insecure masculinity, whereas selective pronatalism is predicted by Christian nationalism, insecure masculinity, and belief in replacement theory. A wording experiment affirms these distinct religious influences: Religious commitment predicts only general pronatalism; Christian nationalism only selective pronatalism. Moreover, interactions show Christian nationalism's association with selective pronatalism is strongest among those who are less religious. Overall, general pronatalism reflects a stronger attachment to conventional religion, whereas selective pronatalism is more strongly related to secularized ethno‐traditionalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00218294 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jssr.70034 |
