Commentary May 20, 2019

Having a Library or Cafe Down the Block Could Change Your Life

Daniel A. Cox, Ryan Streeter

Living near community-oriented public and commercial spaces brings a host of social benefits. People living in amenity-rich communities are much less likely to feel isolated from others. 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 →

Commentary March 21, 2019

Fewer Americans Think LGBT People Face Discrimination

Daniel A. Cox

Perception of discrimination against LGBT people have plummeted in the last few years. Still, the drop has not coincided with a broader shift in the public’s thinking about discrimination in society overall. Continue Reading →

One-quarter of Americans are religiously unaffiliated today, and Christian denominations are contending with massive drops. The success of the Mormon Church may have to do with their unrelenting focus on the family. Continue Reading →

Only 58 percent of Mormon voters said they would back Trump over Democratic candidate Joe Biden, the current leading contender for the nomination. 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 →