University of California, Irvine researchers found that 37% of Americans have experienced a "political breakup" — the end of a relationship over ideological differences. Friends were the most commonly lost ties (62%), followed by family (40%), co-workers (29%) and romantic partners (10%). The study also found partisan differences: nearly half of Democrats reported breakups, compared with 29% of Republicans, and Democrats were more likely to initiate the split. Experts warn that rising political intolerance undermines the ability to reconnect across differences.
Study: Political Polarization Is Breaking Friendships — 37% Of Americans Report 'Political Breakups'
US divisions trigger ‘political breakups,’ researchers say
New research from the University of California, Irvine finds that rising political polarization in the United States is taking a real toll on social ties — especially friendships. Psychologist Peter Ditto and doctoral candidate Mertcan Güngör analyzed survey data to track patterns of what they call "political breakups": relationships ended because of ideological differences.
Key Findings
The researchers report that more than one-third of Americans (37%) have experienced a political breakup. Friends were the most common casualty, cited by 62% of respondents who reported a breakup, followed by a family member (40%), a co-worker (29%) and a romantic partner (10%). Many people said they had lost more than one type of relationship over politics.
Why Friendships Break More Often
The team notes that friendships are often easier to dissolve than relationships bound by financial ties or family obligations. As Güngör explained:
"It's easier to cut a friend or acquaintance whose politics annoy you out of your life than it is your boyfriend or uncle."
Partisan Differences
The data show partisan variation: nearly half of respondents who identified as Democrats reported having experienced a political breakup, compared with 29% of Republicans; independents were at about 39%. The study also suggests Democrats were more likely than Republicans to initiate these breakups.
Perspectives
Democratic strategist Mike Nellis described growing intolerance as a liability for the party, arguing that the ability to reconnect across differences is essential. "If we're ever going to get back to some sense of normalcy, we've got to be able to sit down and have a cup of coffee with somebody who disagrees with us," he said on the program On Balance.
The study highlights how political disagreements can reshape personal networks and the everyday social fabric — a reminder that polarization affects private lives as well as public debate.
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