Factors Contributing to Increased Support for State Constitutional Amendments Banning Same-Sex Marriage within the Fifty United States
Date
2009-10
Authors
Pickler, Jennifer A.
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Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this explanatory study is to determine the factors that contribute to increased support for state constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage in each of the fifty United States. Scholarly literature suggests that the determinants for level of support for state constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage are: the percentage of the state's population identifying religion as an important part of their daily lives, the percentage of the population, age twenty-five and older, without a college degree; the percentage of the state's population identifying as politically conservative; the percentage of the state's population residing in rural areas; the percentage of the state's population age sixty-five and over; and the percentage of the state's population that is male. Six hypotheses were developed to test each of these factors. Methodology: This study used existing data to assess how each of these factors impacted the level of support for states' constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data, determining whether the hypotheses were supported or rejected. Results: The results showed that after controlling for other possible intervening factors, only one of the independent variables, level of Religiosity within the state, was significant. Conclusion: The hypothesis that higher level of religiosity in a state leads to support for constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage is supported by this study.
Description
An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Fall 2009.
Keywords
state constitutional amendments, same-sex marriage, marriage, United States, religiosity, Public Administration
Citation
Pickler, J. A. (2009). Factors contributing to increased support for state constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage within the fifty United States. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.