top of page

Wording Matters: Poll Wording Impacts Support for Gay Marriage

Writer: OurStudioOurStudio

A recent Fox News poll asked Americans about same-sex marriage using two different question wording frames. The first frame asking about "changing the definition of the word marriage to also include same-sex couples" garnered 39 percent support, while 56 percent opposed. In contrast, on the same poll 46 percent favored "legalizing same-sex marriage" while 47 percent opposed. Americans are more reluctant to support marriage for same-sex couples when framed as changing a word's definition. When framed as legalization, more Americans support marriage equality, resulting in a 7 point increase in support.

Would you approve or disapprove of changing the definition of the word marriage to also include same-sex couples?

  1. 39% Approve

  2. 56% Disapprove

  3. 5% Don't Know

Do you favor or oppose legalizing same-sex marriage?

  1. 46% Favor

  2. 47% Opposed

  3. 7% Don't Know

In May, Gallup asked survey respondents if they thought most Americans favored or opposed same-sex marriage: 63 percent assumed most Americans opposed same-sex marriage while 30 percent were in favor. However, in the same month Pew found that nearly three-fourths of Americans thought that legal recognition of same-sex couples is inevitable, and a quarter thought it was not. While most Americans believe same-sex marriage is still not popular, they expect it will eventually be accepted.

Comments


NEWSLETTERS

Get Reason In Your Inbox.

Thanks for submitting!

Join the

LIBERTARIAN PARTY

We are funded entirely by Americans who want to help give liberty a voice. By joining the Libertarian Party as a dues-paying member, you are investing in this critical work.

Thanks for submitting!

ADDRESS

1444 Duke St.

Alexandria, VA 22314-3403

PHONE

(800) ELECT-US

(800) 353-2887

EMAIL

bottom of page