Survey report December 11, 2019

The Decline of Religion in American Family Life

Daniel A. Cox, Jacqueline Clemence, Eleanor O'Neil

The November 2019 American Perspectives Survey reveals that young people may not be to blame for the decline in religious affiliation even though they report being raised in less religious households than their parents. Continue Reading →

Beyond cutting down commute times and saving on gas there is no obvious benefit to attending religious services close to home. Continue Reading →

Blog April 19, 2019

The Decline of Church Membership

Daniel A. Cox

A new survey by Gallup finds that membership in religious congregations is plummeting. Continue Reading →

Though most Americans say they believe in God, many express doubts that God exists. A new research approach finds that doubts about God are even more prevalent than previous surveys suggest—a pattern evident among believers and nonbelievers alike. Continue Reading →

Survey Reports

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 →

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond
November 20, 2025

Individuality and Moral Behavior: A Generational Divide in Moral Judgments and Self-Expression

Younger and older Americans increasingly disagree on the morality of certain behaviors, reflecting deep shifts in views about individuality, self-expression, and the role of community and faith. Continue Reading →

Daniel A. Cox
July 2, 2025

America’s Cultural Crossroads: Enduring Discontent, Rising Disconnection, and an Uncertain Future

A new survey from the Survey Center on American Life shows Americans are changing course on major cultural issues—from immigration and gay rights to gender roles and public trust. Continue Reading →

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond
January 29, 2025

Romantic Recession: How Politics, Pessimism, and Anxiety Shape American Courtship

A new report by the Survey Center on American life finds that safety concerns and declining trust are reshaping modern dating, leaving many singles feeling pessimistic about their prospects. Sharp gender divides in attitudes toward dating apps, trust, and relationships reveal how these challenges are redefining the search for connection. Continue Reading →