Dennis PragerFounder, PragerU · Founder of PragerU | NYT best-selling author

Children of Conservatives Have Better Mental Health

3 Jan 2026 · 2 min

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1:40

In this YouTube commentary, Dennis Prager argues that adolescents raised by conservative parents experience better mental health than those raised by liberal parents. He cites a nonpartisan study involving the Brookings Institution, Gallup, and the Institute for Family Studies, which reports that 77% of teens with conservative guardians rate their mental health as good or excellent, compared to 55% for those with liberal guardians. Prager emphasizes that parenting style is the primary factor, suggesting that liberal parents tend to "coddle" their children, leading to poorer outcomes. He also expresses a personal belief that the actual gap may be larger than the reported figures, though he does not claim the study is flawed. The commentary combines statistical citation with a value-laden interpretation of parenting practices.

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Children of conservative parents are at lower risk of mental illness. Just 55% of adolescents with liberal guardians report good or excellent mental health, compared to 77% of those from a right-wing household. A new report shows children raised by conservative parents are at a lower risk of having mental problems than those with progressive upbringings. The nonpartisan study was conducted by the Brookings Institution, Gallup— oh, I didn't mention Gallup— and the Institute for Family Studies. It notes that while ultimately a parenting style most determines a relationship with kids, there are differences in liberal and conservative parents. When asked, only 55% of the adolescents of liberal parents reported good or excellent mental health. By the way, I, I believe the gap is greater than 55-77, and I'm not blaming the report. I'm just telling you what I believe. I believe you are very much more likely to have health if your parent raised you— well, I'll use their term— if a conservative parent than a liberal parent raised you, because liberal parents coddle, and coddling spoils, and spoiled people are not doing well.