Practice What you Preach: The Association Between Child-Rearing Values, Tolerance of Outgroups, and Moral Identity

Using Canadian (n = 4,018) and American (n = 2,596) Wave-7 data from the World Values Survey (WVS; 2017–2022), we investigated the association between child-rearing values and tolerance of neighbouring minorities. Respondents appraised the value of tolerance for others in the context of raising children, then completed a tolerance checklist regarding nine undesirable neighbours (e.g., heavy drinkers). Results supported our hypothesis that adults more tolerant of neighbours also considered the interpersonal value of tolerance and respect to be important when raising children. Women and childless respondents were more tolerant, as were those with more education. Respondent age group (18–34, 35–53, 54–93 years) moderated this association, wherein young childless adults exhibited the greatest tolerance. Conversely, intolerance was greatest towards heavy drinkers and drug addicts, whereas tolerance was greatest towards individuals of a different language, race, as well as unmarried couples cohabitating. Directions for future research are discussed.