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Commentary June 8, 2021

Suburbs Are Not Less Social Than Cities

Samuel J. Abrams

A group adults sit in a backyard while one of them barbeques.

Many believe there are meaningful differences in sociability based on where Americans reside. New data from AEI’s Survey Center on American Life counters this narrative and finds little difference in the social lives of urbanites, suburbanites, and their rural counterparts.   Continue Reading →

Blog June 8, 2021

What Does it Mean to be a Best Friend?

Daniel A. Cox

A word bubble the words Talk Always Known Friend and Year appear the largest.

American friendships have come under considerable stress over the past year, but even in the wake of a global pandemic, most Americans still have at least one close friend. In fact, 87 percent of Americans have one or more close friends. These close friendships are critical to our wellbeing. Americans who have a close friendship Continue Reading →

Survey report June 8, 2021

The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss

Daniel A. Cox

3 friends having coffee time on a terrace

The May 2021 American Perspectives Survey finds that Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support. Continue Reading →

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In The News May 20, 2021

Trump is marching down the road to political violence

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Event May 19, 2021

Is America entering a new secular age?

scalstage

Photo of book Secular Surge by David E. Campbell, Geoffrey C. Layman, and John C. Green

Rapid growth of secular identities and beliefs in America is transforming the religious and political landscape. Join us to explore what this means for the future of American religion and politics. 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 →