The Numbers Behind America’s Culture Wars
From climate change to deportation, the latest polling shows clear majorities on some issues and sharp divides on others
YouGov recently took the pulse of the American public on a number of long-standing social issues facing the nation. From marijuana to the death penalty to belief in climate change, the results offer a revealing snapshot of where the country stands, with a few notable surprises along the way.
Right off the bat, the share of Americans who still support the death penalty for those convicted of murder sits at 47%, while those opposed to the practice sits at just 29%, with another 24% unsure where they stand.
Support is highest among Republicans at 77%, and among those between the ages of 45-64, of whom 58% support the death penalty for murder.
Opposition to the death penalty is highest among Democrats (50%), and those between the ages of 18 and 44 (35%). There is little difference between men and women on this issue, with women being slightly less supportive of the policy.
Where men and women are almost exactly aligned is on the legalization of marijuana, where they sit at 56% and 58% support, respectively, while the nation as a whole sits at 57% support.
There is little real opposition to the legalization of marijuana in the 2020s, with only 28% of Americans still opposed to the idea. Somewhat unexpectedly, those over 65 and those under 29 are the most opposed, at 34% and 32%, respectively.
On the partisan side, 45% of Republicans oppose legalizing marijuana, though 40% support the idea, showing how much the debate has shifted over time. Democrats are the most supportive at 74%, with Independents somewhat lower at 58%.
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The Republican “War On Woke” has not produced overwhelming public backing, at least if YouGov’s survey results on affirmative action programs are any indication. Americans are divided, with 35% in favor of such programs and 28% opposed, while an even larger 37% remain unsure of their position.
Support for affirmative action is relatively similar across age groups, ranging between 30-39%, but opposition is noticeably higher among older Americans. Among those over 65, 36% oppose such programs, compared to 13% of those under 29.
Black Americans are the most supportive of affirmative action programs, with 54% supporting the idea and only 8% opposed, while another 38% remain unsure. Hispanics and white Americans are less supportive, at 34% and 31%, respectively, with opposition considerably higher among both groups compared to Black Americans.
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How about the fight on climate change? Where do Americans stand on the reality of the situation in 2026?
Overall, 59% of Americans say that the climate is changing and that the change is primarily caused by human activity, with younger Americans more likely to take this position than older Americans. Meanwhile, 22% of Americans take a softer denial position, saying the climate is changing but attributing it to natural cycles in the earth’s ecosystem.
Natural warming and cooling periods do occur, but they unfold over tens of thousands of years, not over a couple of hundreds like we have seen recently.
Only 6% of Americans outright deny the existence of climate change by saying the climate is not changing at all. Those over 65 and Republicans are the most likely to take this position at 8% and 12%, respectively.
And lastly, the debate over illegal immigrants and their place in American society remains deeply divided.
Overall, 41% of Americans say that illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship, while another 7% say they should be allowed to stay but not apply for citizenship. Meanwhile, 38% believe that illegal immigrants should be deported.
Support for deporting illegal immigrants is highest among Republicans at 75%, white Americans at 44%, and those over 65 at 51%. It is not surprising that older white Republicans are among the most supportive of deportation.
Democrats overwhelmingly believe, at 77%, that illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay and eventually gain citizenship, with 38% of Independents and 48% of those under 29 agreeing. That position is also the most popular among Hispanics at 48%, compared to 26% who believe illegal immigrants should be deported.
Overall, while Americans can agree on issues like climate change and marijuana legalization, other issues such as illegal immigration and the death penalty offer much sharper contrasts between Americans, especially across partisan and generation lines.