American Life Blog
May 5, 2021
Did Americans Become More Accepting of Muslims During the Trump Years?
At a time of heightened racial tensions in the US and growing violence against Asian citizens, it is not clear why there would be a sudden surge in positive feeling towards Muslims. Continue Reading →
April 16, 2021
Some of My Best Friends
Despite growing diversity in the US, few Americans have close ties to members of minority religious and racial groups. Continue Reading →
April 2, 2021
For Black Voters, Friends and Family May be a Critical Link to the Democratic Party
With high turnout in the 2020 election, black voters appear poised to remain a critical constituency in the Democratic Party. But their strong support for Democratic candidates and continued political involvement is a function of their social circumstances. Continue Reading →
March 22, 2021
Most Asian Americans Believe Their Community Experiences a lot of discrimination in the US
The rising tide of violence against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed attention to Asian Americans’ experiences of discrimination in the US. Often thought to experience less discrimination, the survey shows that Asian Americans do not view their experiences in the same way. Continue Reading →
March 8, 2021
Few Americans are Confident in American Democracy, But Younger Americans are Especially Skeptical
If governments can effectively administer the COVID-19 vaccine and deliver economic support, it will go a long way in demonstrating that even if government is clunky and the results imperfect, the institutions of democratic governance can work. Continue Reading →
February 26, 2021
When it Comes to Conspiracy Theories, Education Matters
Educational attainment is closely associated with belief in conspiracy theories. However, education appears to matter more for Republicans than Democrats. Continue Reading →
February 12, 2021
Rise of Conspiracies Reveals an Evangelical Divide in the GOP
Evangelical Christian Republicans are more likely to embrace conspiracy theories. One explanation? Their affinity to Trump. Continue Reading →
February 8, 2021
If You Have a Lot of Friends, You’re Probably More Active in Politics
Having a robust network of friends and family may encourage us to become more active in civic and political life. Continue Reading →
January 8, 2021
Older Americans Support Getting Vaccinated Regardless of Their Politics or the Perceived Threat of COVID-19
As the US ramps up vaccinations, political identity is important in predicting the behavior of younger Americans. Continue Reading →
December 17, 2020
Holiday Spending in 2020
The holidays look different this year. In addition to traveling less, having smaller gatherings, and gathering virtually, Americans are also altering their spending habits. Continue Reading →
Generation Uncoupled
Generation Uncoupled: America's New Gender Divide and the Crisis of Human Connection
Buy NowSurvey Reports
Daniel A. Cox
July 23, 2026
A Digital Divide in American Adolescence: Gender, Class, and the New Teenage Experience
If teenage years once represented a time of rebellion, teenagers’ lives today are marked less by pushing boundaries and more by building their own. Many teenage experiences are less common than they once were—dating, working a part-time job, and experimenting with drugs and alcohol are less common experiences. The 2026 American Teenagers Survey from the Continue Reading →
Daniel A. Cox, Jae Grace, Avery Shields
April 27, 2026
Strangers Next Door: The Decline of Neighborhood Socializing and the Class Divide in Belonging
Acknowledgment The American Enterprise Institute’s Survey Center on American Life is grateful to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for its generous support of this research. As Americans spend more of their time online, the neighborhood—once a primary physical location for real-world socialization—is playing less of a central role than ever before. Since Continue Reading →
In the News
September 11, 2026 Deseret News
Perspective: What ‘never forget’ means 25 years later
September 10, 2026 The Cut
My Boyfriend Is My Only Friend
September 9, 2026 The Hill
Elections won’t fix America’s political divisions
September 6, 2026 HuffPost








