CHANGING VIEWS TOWARD THE DEATH PENALTY? THE INTERSECTING IMPACT OF RACE AND GENDER ON ATTITUDES, 1974-2006

The legality and humanity of capital punishment continues to be debated at the state, national, and international level. Using cross-sectional data from the General Social Survey, 19742006, this article examines the independent effects of race and gender as well as the interacting impact of race and gender on attitudes toward capital punishment over time. Results indicate that there are significant differences by race, but not by gender. Over time, the attitudinal gap that separates white and black respondents appears stable. However, the differences between males and females within the different races appear more variable. These findings are discussed within the intersectionality theoretical framework, and directions for future research are provided