Blog December 17, 2020

Holiday Spending in 2020

Karlyn Bowman, Jacqueline Clemence

Photo of a Christmas tree and its ornaments. Two people are walking away from the camera's view. We see their backs.

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 →

Although abortion attitudes are highly polarized between the two parties and the issue remains contentious, among Republicans, views vary depending on their political networks. Continue Reading →

Research September 30, 2020

Socially Distant: How Our Divided Social Networks Explain Our Politics

Daniel A. Cox, Ryan Streeter, Samuel J. Abrams, Jacqueline Clemence

Photo of a Trump campaign lawn sign next to a Biden campaign lawn sign.

The American National Social Network Survey explains how personal networks and relationships condition personal behavior and influence decisions. Continue Reading →

Survey report July 9, 2020

The Parents are Not All Right: The Experiences of Parenting During a Pandemic

Daniel A. Cox, Samuel J. Abrams

Parenting during the pandemic placed a huge burden on those with children at home. Mothers (especially single mothers) have experienced a decline in mental health and are especially anxious about sending their children back to school. Continue Reading →

Younger Christians are much more comfortable than older Christians with the idea of dating someone who does not share their views about God. Continue Reading →

Blog February 10, 2020

Dating Across the Aisle is Difficult in the Age of Trump

Daniel A. Cox

It’s not surprising that Trump has intruded into our dating lives. Through social media, news coverage, and a barrage of controversial comments, Trump is a feature of American public life. Continue Reading →

Survey report February 6, 2020

Partisan Attachment: How Politics is Changing Dating and Relationships in the Trump Era

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

Cartoon of a Republican elephant and a Democrat donkey, multiple elephants in showing affection to one another and multiple donkeys showing affection to one another

The January 2020 American Perspectives Survey explores dating and relationships. Abortion and Donald Trump are key dating dealbreakers for many Americans. Continue Reading →

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 →

Survey report October 2, 2019

Public views of political compromise and conflict and partisan misperceptions

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

The inaugural American Perspectives Survey takes a new look at political compromise, disagreement, and perceptions of the demographic makeup of Democrats and Republicans, revealing topics of agreement and misconception among the public. Continue Reading →

Conventional wisdom holds that loneliness is a serious problem in America today. Yet data from the Survey on Community and Society (SCS) suggest that such characterizations of loneliness are overblown and possibly wrong. Continue Reading →

Survey Reports

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 →

gender divide banner

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond
September 24, 2024

The Politics of Progress and Privilege: How America’s Gender Gap Is Reshaping the 2024 Election

Americans are increasingly divided on gendered issues. A new report by the Survey Center on American Life provides context for how these divisions might impact the results of the 2024 Presidential election. Continue Reading →

Daniel A. Cox, Sam Pressler
August 22, 2024

Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life

Disconnected: Places and Spaces presents new survey findings that suggest Americans are less connected than ever before. Continue Reading →