New research from 2025 continues validating what this groundbreaking study revealed about India's youth and interfaith harmony.

A Future Of Secular Tolerance 

Turns out, children in India have a remarkable level of acceptance and tolerance towards the rules and practices of different religions.

A University of California-Santa Cruz study found that both Hindu and Muslim children in India thought that Hindu children should follow Hindu norms and Muslim children should follow their respective Muslim norms.

“Even in a region with a long history of high religious tension, we see impressive levels of religious tolerance among children,” said co-author Audun Dahl. “Children think that people in different religions should follow their own norms–and that’s a starting point, a reason for optimism.”

Very little research has been done on how children reason about religious norms, despite the fact that differences between religious norms underpin conflicts around the globe, including Catholic/Protestant clashes in Europe and differences among Sunni and Shia Muslims all over the world, noted Dahl.

Religious norms dictate practices from clothing and land ownership to reproduction, he said, with adult adherents frequently wanting others to adhere to their norms.

“Children expressed preferences for their own religion, but we found no evidence of children rejecting the norms of the other religion,” said Dahl, adding that such tolerance is the first step toward greater harmony.

The study took place in Gujarat, India, a region with a history of Hindu-Muslim violence and intolerance. Investigators worked with 100 children between the age of 9 to 15 years, focusing on different Hindu norms, such as the prohibition against eating beef, and Muslim norms, such as the prohibition against worshipping an idol. They also asked the children about hitting people to explore the youngsters’ reasoning around moral norms.

These findings offered hope that exposure to conflicts over religious differences, like those experienced by children in many regions of the world, need not lead children to develop negative attitudes toward the religious practices of other groups. “Rather, perhaps these levels of understanding will play a role in reducing conflict over time,” said Dahl.

The study was published in the Child Development research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the UC Santa Cruz study find about religious tolerance in Indian children?

The study of 100 children aged 9-15 in Gujarat found that both Hindu and Muslim children accepted that people should follow their own religious norms. Notably, children showed preferences for their own religion but did not reject the norms of other religions, demonstrating impressive tolerance levels.

How does religious tolerance among Indian children impact communal harmony?

Religious tolerance among children is foundational for long-term communal harmony. When young people accept that different religions have different norms—like Hindu dietary practices and Muslim worship customs—without rejecting those norms, it creates a stronger basis for peaceful coexistence and reduces future religious conflicts.

Why was Gujarat chosen for this religious tolerance study?

Gujarat was selected because it has experienced significant Hindu-Muslim tensions and violence historically. Studying religious tolerance in such a region with documented conflict makes the findings even more significant, demonstrating that children can develop acceptance despite their region’s troubled past.

What are examples of religious norms examined in this Indian children study?

The research examined Hindu norms like the prohibition against eating beef and Muslim norms such as the prohibition against worshipping idols. These practices span multiple aspects of religious life, from dietary choices to worship methods, showing children understand diverse religious requirements.

How can Indian parents and educators use these findings about child tolerance?

Parents and educators can use these findings to reinforce inclusive values by acknowledging and respecting different religious practices. Teaching children that respecting another religion’s norms strengthens social fabric, and encouraging interfaith friendships based on acceptance rather than conversion builds lasting peaceful communities.