Study Links Christian Complementarianism to Strong Support for Restrictive Reproductive Policies

The researchers found complementarian beliefs—seeing men and women as having different roles—strongly predict a desire for growth, a preference for White and Christian children, and opposition to birth-control, abortion at any stage, and travel bans for abortion care. These attitudes surpass influence of religious attendance, denomination, and party ID.

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The researchers surveyed 3,300 U.S. adults in September-October 2025 via a panel matched to demographic quotas. Respondents answered six items on complementarianism, measures of hostile and benevolent sexism, and questions on pronatalism, birth-control and abortion restrictions, and travel bans. A module varied gestational limits for abortion.

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Complementarians are 30 percentage points more likely than non-complementarians to endorse pronatalist attitudes, controlling for religion and politics. Complementarianism also predicts stronger support for birth-control bans, abortion prohibitions, and travel restrictions, outpacing hostile and benevolent sexism. Effects are similar for men and women, with men slightly more adherent.

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Walker and Djupe argue complementarianism is a potent ideological driver of reproductive policy preferences, linking religious gender roles to concerns about national welfare and demographic composition. They say the worldview extends beyond lifestyle, shaping attitudes toward women’s political participation and social issues.

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The authors acknowledge the study uses an opt-in online panel rather than a probability sample, which may limit representativeness despite weighting. Self-reported attitudes may not translate into voting behavior or policy outcomes, a gap they intend to address.

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If complementarian worldviews drive support for pronatalism and restrictive reproductive measures, they could shape legislative agendas, especially in states where such beliefs are common. Their link to preferences for White and Christian children raises concerns about demographic targeting in policy debates.

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• “Complementarianism matters more than just about any other variable, including religious service attendance, religious tradition, and party identification,” — Brooklyn Walker, Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee

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• “Complementarians are also more likely to oppose birth control access; to support abortion bans, regardless of the stage of pregnancy; and to support bans that would prevent women from traveling out of state to receive abortion care,” — Paul A. Djupe, Director, Denison University

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• “Complementarianism, while positively linked to both types of sexism, has a stronger relationship to pronatalism and reproductive rights than either of these sexisms,” — Brooklyn Walker

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• “We are in the initial stages of a book project to explore how complementarianism matters for political attitudes, including the repeal of the 19th Amendment, the use of political violence, political and social trust, and women’s roles in politics,” — Brooklyn Walker

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Walker and Djupe plan a book exploring complementarianism’s impact on issues such as the repeal of the 19th Amendment, political violence, trust, and women’s political participation, and will investigate why the ideology appeals to both men and women.

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