The Diverging Trajectories of Same-Sex Marriage & Abortion

December 16, 2021

Chart showing the percentage of Americans who say same-sex marriages should be recognized by the law as valid and percentage who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

In 1996, Americans were far more supportive of legal abortion than allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Only 31 percent of Americans favored same-sex marriage in the mid-1990s while nearly six in 10 (57 percent) said abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances. Today, nearly seven in 10 (69 percent) Americans believe gay and lesbian people should be allowed to marry. Views of abortion have remained relatively unchanged—60 percent say abortion should be legal. The massive 38-point increase in public support for same-sex marriage was due to a variety of unique factors, including the widespread belief that it was inevitable.

Survey Reports

Generation Z and the Transformation of American Adolescence Cover Image

Daniel A. Cox, Kelsey Eyre Hammond, Kyle Gray
November 9, 2023

Generation Z and the Transformation of American Adolescence: How Gen Z’s Formative Experiences Shape Its Politics, Priorities, and Future

This report explores the foundational differences between American generations through their formative adolescent experiences.

Young man sitting in a dark room before a wall featuring various conspiracy theory-related items illuminated by a computer screen

Daniel A. Cox, M. Anthony Mills, Ian R. Banks, Kelsey Eyre Hammond, Kyle Gray
September 28, 2023

America’s Crisis of Confidence: Rising Mistrust, Conspiracies, and Vaccine Hesitancy After COVID-19

America is experiencing a crosscutting crisis of expertise and scientific distrust accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic that poses significant challenges to democratic debate and public decision-making

A cartoon showing a vibrant office from the ceiling view.

Daniel A. Cox, Brent Orrell, Kyle Gray, Jessie Wall
September 14, 2023

The Social Workplace: Social Capital, Human Dignity, and Work in America, Volume II

The Social Workplace, Volume II examines Americans’ expectations and experiences surrounding work, the workplace, and key job-related priorities such as pay and interpersonal connections.

An empty debate stage featuring red and blue podiums below a stage light face an audience of nearly-empty seats.

Daniel A. Cox, Ruy Teixeira
June 29, 2023

The 2024 Presidential Election: Evolving Political Coalitions and Familiar Partisan Divisions

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the AEI Survey Center on American Life conducted a national survey of Americans that explored a wide range of political attitudes, current voting preferences, and perceptions of the political parties.

In the news

December 3, 2023

Democrats Wrestle with Young Voters’ Mixed Messages

December 3, 2023

Millennials Feel ‘Abandoned’ by Parents Not Available to Help Raise Grandkids: ‘Too Busy’

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Boomers Seem to have Traded in the Child-Raising Village for Traveling. Now Millennial Parents say they have No One to Support Them.

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It can be Tough for Men to Make Friends. My Solution? Darts, Dive Bars and Showing Up