Life goals among Mormons and the general public Among U.S. Mormons things One of most important Somewhat Not How following importantis goals you? each of the
The LDS church typically places very high importance on families and traditional gender roles. Indeed, 81% of Mormons say being a good parent is one of the most important things in life. And 73% say the same about having a successful marriage. By comparison, half of all U.S. adults say being a good parent is one of the most important things in life, and only one-third say having a successful marriage is of utmost importance. Additionally, 58% of Mormons say a marriage where the husband provides and the wife stays at home is preferable to one in which both spouses have jobs. Among the general public, most people (62%) express the opposite view, saying a marriage in which both spouses have jobs and take responsibility for housework and child rearing is more satisfying. At this fall’s pre-conference session specifically for Mormon women, participants were urged to defend the church’s teachings on marriage, family and sexuality.
Life goals among Mormons and the general public  | Among U.S. Mormons  | things One of most important  | Very important  | Somewhat  | Not  | How following importantis goals you? each of the  | things in life  | but not most important  | important important  | following goals to you?  | the good parent  | 81%  | 17  | Having a successful marriage  | 73  | 22  | Living a very religious life  | 55  | 30  | 13  | Success in a high-paying career  | 7  | 37  | 40  | 16  | the free time to relax/  | 7  | 37  | 47  | 9  | do things you want to do  | Among U.S. general public  | One of most important  | Very important  | Not  | Somewhat  | How following importantis you? each of the  | following goals to you?  | things in life  | but not most important important important  | the good parent  | 50%  | 44  | 3  | Having a successful marriage  | 34  | 51  | 8  | 6  | Living a very religious life  | 20  | 35  | 25  | 19  | Success in a high- -paying career  | 36  | 21  | 9  | 34  | Having free time to relax/  | 10  | 43  | 37  | do things you want to do  | Note: Don' 't know/refused responses not shown.  | Source: Data for Mormons from survey cond lucted Oct. 25-Nov 16, 2011 General public figures from Jan. 14:27 2010  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 