Do Mixed Religions Make Families More Generous? An Empirical Analysis Based on a Large-Scale Survey of Chinese Families

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between mixed religions and family donations in China as the object of analysis, where individual donations are primarily in the form of family contributions. Although there is considerable research on the relationship between religion and individual donations, the academic community has yet to clarify the connection between mixed religions and family donations. Based on the large-scale survey data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies, this study employs econometric models such as probit and tobit models to examine the relationship. To mitigate endogeneity and enhance the robustness of the conclusions, this research also conducts instrumental variable analysis and robustness analysis. The study finds that the influence of mixed religions on family donations is greater than that of non-mixed religions, but this influence is more pronounced in families with higher donation levels. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that mixed religions have a greater impact on donations in families headed by individuals aged 41–59, females, those with no religious affiliation, residents of urban areas, and families in the western and northeastern regions. Furthermore, the impact of mixed religions on family donations is higher only when there is a combination of one or three religions. Additional analysis indicates that households with lower educational attainment, non-Party members, individuals suffering from illnesses, and unmarried females are more likely to choose mixed religions.