Respect is one of those concepts most people claim to value, yet struggle to practice—especially in today’s climate of polarization. Public debate has grown sharper, faster, and more transactional.

A report out of Chapman University looks at how teens and teachers are grappling with the time’s most polarizing topics.

Abagail Hayward doesn’t talk about politics with certain friends. It’s not because she’s unable to share her beliefs or respect other ideologies. She just doesn’t want to lose friends because of the ...