Sources of guidance on right and wrong among women

% of women who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Survey yearReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
201438%9%43%8%2%17,557
200734%8%50%4%4%19,265
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

Sources of guidance on right and wrong among women by religious group

% of women who say they look to…most for guidance on right and wrong

Religious traditionReligionPhilosophy/reasonCommon senseScienceDon't knowSample size
Buddhist13%25%48%10%5%126
Catholic33%9%47%8%2%3,776
Evangelical Protestant63%4%28%3%2%4,532
Historically Black Protestant49%6%39%4%2%1,098
Jehovah's Witness80%< 1%14%3%3%158
Jewish19%14%50%13%4%419
Mainline Protestant33%10%49%6%3%3,305
Mormon66%3%24%4%3%317
Unaffiliated (religious "nones")8%16%59%15%2%3,085
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Learn More: Religion, Philosophy/reason, Common sense, Science

DemographicInformation

Age distribution among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who are ages…

Sources of guidance on right and wrong18-2930-4950-6465+Sample size
Religion15%32%30%23%6,578
Philosophy/reason32%32%23%13%1,656
Common sense23%34%25%18%7,160
Science29%40%20%11%1,265
Don't know11%28%30%31%464
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Generational cohort among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongYounger MillennialOlder MillennialGeneration XBaby BoomerSilentGreatestSample size
Religion9%11%26%35%16%2%6,578
Philosophy/reason20%18%26%26%8%1%1,656
Common sense14%15%28%30%11%1%7,160
Science19%17%33%23%7%1%1,265
Don't know7%8%25%37%21%3%464
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Racial and ethnic composition among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWhiteBlackAsianLatinoOther/MixedSample size
Religion64%15%2%15%4%6,689
Philosophy/reason66%9%6%15%3%1,673
Common sense68%12%3%13%4%7,225
Science61%7%6%21%4%1,280
Don't know69%9%2%15%5%475
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Immigrant status among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongImmigrantsSecond generationThird generation or higherSample size
Religion14%8%78%6,671
Philosophy/reason19%14%68%1,672
Common sense12%11%77%7,198
Science25%12%63%1,268
Don't know15%8%77%486
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Income distribution among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who have a household income of…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLess than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$99,999$100,000 or moreSample size
Religion40%21%26%13%5,654
Philosophy/reason36%17%26%21%1,485
Common sense40%21%23%16%6,253
Science35%19%24%22%1,135
Don't know38%23%24%15%354
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Educational distribution among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who have completed…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongHigh school or lessSome collegeCollegePost-graduate degreeSample size
Religion42%34%15%8%6,724
Philosophy/reason26%33%23%18%1,685
Common sense41%33%16%9%7,271
Science33%27%22%18%1,282
Don't know36%27%20%16%493
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Marital status among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongMarriedLiving with a partnerDivorced/separatedWidowedNever marriedSample size
Religion54%4%14%11%17%6,726
Philosophy/reason41%10%13%6%30%1,683
Common sense44%9%14%9%23%7,281
Science42%10%13%5%30%1,280
Don't know49%4%14%17%16%492
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Parent of children under 18 among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongParentsNon-parentsSample size
Religion32%68%6,730
Philosophy/reason28%72%1,689
Common sense32%68%7,301
Science35%65%1,286
Don't know27%73%495
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

BeliefsandPractices

Belief in God among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say they…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieve in God; absolutely certainBelieve in God; fairly certainBelieve in God; not too/not at all certainBelieve in God; don't knowDo not believe in GodOther/don't know if they believe in GodSample size
Religion91%8%1%1%< 1%< 1%6,762
Philosophy/reason48%26%9%1%11%4%1,692
Common sense60%25%5%1%8%2%7,309
Science38%27%9%1%22%3%1,291
Don't know71%16%2%3%4%5%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Importance of religion in one's life among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say religion is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongVery importantSomewhat importantNot too importantNot at all importantDon't knowSample size
Religion90%9%1%< 1%< 1%6,762
Philosophy/reason37%31%17%14%< 1%1,692
Common sense42%33%13%10%1%7,309
Science31%29%16%24%< 1%1,291
Don't know65%18%7%6%5%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Attendance at religious services among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who attend religious services…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a month/a few times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion67%24%9%1%6,762
Philosophy/reason21%39%39%< 1%1,692
Common sense24%40%36%< 1%7,309
Science18%37%44%1%1,291
Don't know40%32%23%5%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of prayer among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who pray…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least dailyWeeklyMonthlySeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion87%9%1%2%1%6,762
Philosophy/reason45%21%7%26%< 1%1,692
Common sense52%19%7%22%1%7,309
Science36%17%6%40%< 1%1,291
Don't know66%11%4%14%6%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of participation in prayer, scripture study or religious education groups among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who attend prayer group…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion49%13%9%28%1%6,762
Philosophy/reason14%8%9%68%< 1%1,692
Common sense14%8%8%69%1%7,309
Science11%9%6%74%< 1%1,291
Don't know23%10%10%51%5%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of meditation among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who meditate…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion55%7%3%33%3%6,762
Philosophy/reason43%10%5%42%1%1,692
Common sense35%9%5%50%1%7,309
Science33%11%6%49%1%1,291
Don't know48%6%4%37%5%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling spiritual peace and wellbeing among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who feel a sense of spiritual peace and wellbeing…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion81%9%4%4%1%6,762
Philosophy/reason54%19%11%15%1%1,692
Common sense53%17%12%16%1%7,309
Science50%16%13%20%1%1,291
Don't know69%10%5%8%8%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of feeling wonder about the universe among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who feel a sense of wonder about the universe…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion49%15%11%23%2%6,762
Philosophy/reason55%16%12%16%1%1,692
Common sense39%17%14%29%1%7,309
Science45%17%14%23%1%1,291
Don't know47%13%11%20%8%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in absolute standards for right and wrong among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongThere are clear standards for what is right and wrongRight or wrong depends on the situationNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion47%50%1%1%6,762
Philosophy/reason21%77%2%< 1%1,692
Common sense22%76%1%1%7,309
Science17%81%1%1%1,291
Don't know25%63%4%7%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Frequency of reading scripture among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who read scripture…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongAt least once a weekOnce or twice a monthSeveral times a yearSeldom/neverDon't knowSample size
Religion68%10%6%16%1%6,762
Philosophy/reason23%10%10%57%1%1,692
Common sense23%11%9%56%1%7,309
Science16%9%10%65%< 1%1,291
Don't know37%12%7%38%6%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Interpreting scripture among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say the holy scripture is…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongWord of God; should be taken literallyWord of God; not everything taken literallyWord of God; other/don't knowNot the word of GodOther/don't knowSample size
Religion56%30%4%5%5%6,762
Philosophy/reason14%25%1%53%6%1,692
Common sense23%28%2%38%9%7,309
Science17%20%1%56%6%1,291
Don't know24%21%12%24%19%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Heaven among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who …in heaven

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion89%6%6%6,762
Philosophy/reason59%31%10%1,692
Common sense73%20%7%7,309
Science54%39%7%1,291
Don't know69%14%17%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Belief in Hell among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who …in hell

Sources of guidance on right and wrongBelieveDon't believeOther/don't knowSample size
Religion77%15%7%6,762
Philosophy/reason39%52%9%1,692
Common sense52%39%9%7,309
Science39%54%6%1,291
Don't know47%30%23%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

SocialandPoliticalViews

Party affiliation among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who identify as…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongRepublican/lean Rep.No leanDemocrat/lean Dem.Sample size
Religion46%18%36%6,762
Philosophy/reason24%15%62%1,692
Common sense29%19%53%7,309
Science20%15%65%1,291
Don't know26%30%45%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Political ideology among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who are…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongConservativeModerateLiberalDon't knowSample size
Religion51%28%13%8%6,762
Philosophy/reason18%34%44%3%1,692
Common sense25%38%30%7%7,309
Science20%31%45%4%1,291
Don't know28%30%28%15%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about size of government among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who would rather have…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongSmaller government; fewer servicesBigger government; more servicesDependsDon't knowSample size
Religion52%41%3%4%6,762
Philosophy/reason38%56%3%3%1,692
Common sense43%50%3%4%7,309
Science31%64%2%3%1,291
Don't know34%37%11%18%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about government aid to the poor among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say government aid to the poor…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongDoes more harm than goodDoes more good than harmNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion48%46%4%2%6,762
Philosophy/reason29%67%3%1%1,692
Common sense40%54%4%2%7,309
Science30%66%3%1%1,291
Don't know30%46%14%10%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about abortion among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say abortion should be…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongLegal in all/most casesIllegal in all/most casesDon't knowSample size
Religion31%65%4%6,762
Philosophy/reason71%26%3%1,692
Common sense66%30%4%7,309
Science72%25%3%1,291
Don't know52%33%15%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about homosexuality among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say homosexuality…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongShould be acceptedShould be discouragedNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion41%49%5%4%6,762
Philosophy/reason86%11%2%1%1,692
Common sense79%15%3%3%7,309
Science87%10%1%2%1,291
Don't know57%23%8%12%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about same-sex marriage among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who …same-sex marriage

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStrongly favor/favorOppose/strongly opposeDon't knowSample size
Religion30%62%8%6,762
Philosophy/reason81%15%4%1,692
Common sense70%23%8%7,309
Science79%16%5%1,291
Don't know51%30%19%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about environmental regulation among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongStricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economyStricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the costNeither/both equallyDon't knowSample size
Religion42%51%3%5%6,762
Philosophy/reason21%75%2%2%1,692
Common sense33%62%2%3%7,309
Science24%71%2%3%1,291
Don't know24%53%7%16%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.

Views about human evolution among women by sources of guidance on right and wrong

% of women who say humans…

Sources of guidance on right and wrongEvolved; due to natural processesEvolved; due to God's designEvolved; don't know howAlways existed in present formDon't knowSample size
Religion10%25%2%57%5%6,762
Philosophy/reason50%25%4%19%2%1,692
Common sense38%26%4%28%5%7,309
Science59%18%3%18%2%1,291
Don't know18%24%15%23%21%503
Sample sizes and margins of error vary from subgroup to subgroup, from year to year and from state to state. You can see the sample size for the estimates in this chart on rollover or in the last column of the table. And visit this table to see approximate margins of error for a group of a given size. Readers should always bear in mind the approximate margin of error for the group they are examining when making comparisons with other groups or assessing the significance of trends over time. For full question wording, see the survey questionnaire.