2026-05-18T09:13:17Zhttps://keep.lib.asu.edu/oai/request

oai:keep.lib.asu.edu:node-2014802025-05-12T19:35:22Zoai_pmh:alloai_pmh:repo_items

201480 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.201480 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ All Rights Reserved 2025 61 pages Masters Thesis Academic theses en Martinez, Alejandra Yadel Martin, Nathan Charron-Chenier, Raphael Richter, Jennifer Arizona State University Partial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2025 Field of study: Justice Studies This study investigates the socio-demographic, identity, and political characteristics associated with attitudes toward capital punishment, focusing on differences among Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. Recent trends indicate a marked decline in support for the death penalty among younger generations compared to older cohorts, such as the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers, who maintain higher levels of support. By analyzing factors such as political affiliation, individual versus collectivist values, and social justice orientations, this research seeks to uncover the motivations behind the growing opposition to capital punishment among the three youngest generations. Furthermore, the study explores the intersectionality of identity, examining how race, gender, and socio-economic status collectively shape attitudes toward capital punishment. While existing research highlights disparities based on these characteristics, this study adopts a nuanced approach that considers the complexities of identity and experience. Utilizing data from the General Social Survey (GSS) spanning 2000 to 2022, comprising 12,080 observations, the analysis employs logistic regression to identify factors influencing attitudes toward the death penalty. The findings reveal significant generational differences, with younger cohorts exhibiting less support for capital punishment and highlighting the importance of educational attainment, political affiliation, and intersectional identities in shaping public opinion. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader discourse on justice and human dignity, shedding light on how shifting values may influence future legislative changes regarding the death penalty in the United States. Such insights are vital for policymakers, activists, and scholars interested in the ethical, legal, and social implications of capital punishment. Social Research Law Capital Punishment generations Intersectionality What Shapes Attitudes Toward Capital Punishment? A Study of Generational Differences and Intersectional Identities