Newsletter November 24, 2021

Yes, You Should Talk Politics with Your Family Over Thanksgiving

Daniel A. Cox

An overhead picture of a long, dimly-lit table set for Thanksgiving dinner. People sit at the table.

Every year, the specter of political discord looms over the holidays. But despite the widespread attention it garners, few Americans report fighting over politics at the dinner table. This year, most of us are seeking to strenuously avoid political topics at family get-togethers. This is a mistake. Americans are likely tired of talking about politics. But we should. In fact, we should talk about politics a lot more than we do.

Our problem is not that we have become too obsessed with politics. Rather, it’s who we choose to discuss politics with that is the problem. Too many of us only talk politics with people who think as we do. I wrote about this phenomenon last year, suggesting that “Democrats And Republicans Should Argue More – Not Less.” Today, more than half of Democrats and Republicans have no close connection to someone with different political views. As a result, we trust each other less, hate each other more, and are wildly misinformed about what the other side actually thinks.

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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.

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.

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.

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.