Red leather-bound Qur'an on a wooden table with prayer beads and a light blue surgical mask draped over top.
Survey report

Faith After the Pandemic: How COVID-19 Changed American Religion

Lindsey Witt-Swanson, Jennifer Benz, Daniel A. Cox January 5, 2023

The Survey Center on American Life at AEI teamed up with researchers at NORC at the University of Chicago to measure religious affiliation and attendance both before the pandemic (2018 to March 2020) and again in spring 2022, revealing who remained at the pews, who returned to the pews, and who left. Continue Reading →

An illustration of the main street of a small town. There is a market, library, cafe, gym, and restaurant. People are walking on the sidewalk, are inside the buildings, and there is a car going down the street.
Survey report

Public Places and Commercial Spaces: How Neighborhood Amenities Foster Trust and Connection in American Communities

Daniel A. Cox, Ryan Streeter, Samuel J. Abrams, Beatrice Lee, Dana Popky October 20, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Americans across the country to reconsider their residential priorities. Today, many Americans would prefer to live in small towns or rural areas rather than denser urban neighborhoods, and they are more likely to prioritize personal space over access to community amenities. The report investigates the physical and social features of local communities that Americans value most. Continue Reading →

Cartoon of students sitting in a classroom wearing protective masks.
Survey report

Controversy and Consensus: Perspectives on Race, Religion, and COVID-19 in Public Schools

Daniel A. Cox, Nat Malkus September 22, 2021

At a time of rapid cultural change, Americans continue to debate what students should learn about race, sex, and religion. While the public broadly supports students learning about America’s complicated racial legacy, political divisions persist. Democrats are far more willing to defer to teachers, while Republicans want a much larger role for parents in education decisions. Continue Reading →

A help wanted sign is posted at a taco stand in Solana Beach, California, U.S., July 17, 2017.
Survey report

The Great American Jobs Reshuffle

Brent Orrell, Daniel A. Cox July 15, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic decimated American workplaces, yet workers’ experiences varied dramatically. This report examines current unemployment trends and how workers navigate an uncertain environment. In the wake of the pandemic, workplace flexibility is more important for everyone, even if not all workers agree on the benefits of remote work. Continue Reading →

COVID-19 vaccination stickers sit in waiting during the Columbus Public Health drop-in clinic at Stonewall Columbus in the Short
Commentary

Peer Pressure, Not Politics, May Matter Most When it Comes to Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Daniel A. Cox June 29, 2021

Americans experience widely different levels of social pressure to get the COVID-19 vaccine. And for better or worse, our friends exercise considerable influence over the information we have and the decisions we make. Continue Reading →

An older man sits on a bench in a park as a group of young runners go by.
Blog

Is Social Isolation Hampering the Vaccine Rollout?

Daniel A. Cox June 23, 2021

Americans who are socially disconnected report far lower vaccination rates and may ultimately prove to be an important impediment. Continue Reading →

Photo of an elderly couple inside of a car. Both are wearing surgical masks.
Blog

Older Americans Support Getting Vaccinated Regardless of Their Politics or the Perceived Threat of COVID-19

Daniel A. Cox, Samantha Goldstein January 8, 2021

As the US ramps up vaccinations, political identity is important in predicting the behavior of younger Americans. Continue Reading →

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

Holiday Spending in 2020

Karlyn Bowman, Jacqueline Clemence December 17, 2020

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 →

Survey report

A Turning Point? Americans Grapple With COVID-19 Amid Enduring Partisan and Racial Divisions

Daniel A. Cox, Karlyn Bowman December 9, 2020

The November 2020 APS explores how Americans are grappling with COVID-19 amid soaring numbers of infections. Though large partisan divisions persist, more Americans say they would get a free, FDA-approved vaccine. It also challenges the “shy Trump voter” hypothesis and explores possible explanations for Trump’s increased support among non-white voters. Continue Reading →

Commentary

What Happens to Parents When Community Spaces Close?

Daniel A. Cox, Samuel J. Abrams August 12, 2020

If it takes a village to raise a child, what happens to parents when the village goes into lockdown? Continue Reading →

Survey Reports

Cartoon rendering of a series of different online dating app prospects, on phone screens

Daniel A. Cox
February 9, 2023

From Swiping to Sexting: The Enduring Gender Divide in American Dating and Relationships

The January 2023 American Perspectives Survey sheds some light on dating preferences, experiences, and perspectives. The national survey of more than 5,000 adults age 18 and older, including nearly 800 single adults, finds that Americans have strong dating preferences when it comes to living at home, being unemployed, and smoking. Continue Reading →

Red leather-bound Qur'an on a wooden table with prayer beads and a light blue surgical mask draped over top.

Lindsey Witt-Swanson, Jennifer Benz, Daniel A. Cox
January 5, 2023

Faith After the Pandemic: How COVID-19 Changed American Religion

The Survey Center on American Life at AEI teamed up with researchers at NORC at the University of Chicago to measure religious affiliation and attendance both before the pandemic (2018 to March 2020) and again in spring 2022, revealing who remained at the pews, who returned to the pews, and who left. Continue Reading →

A cartoon showing a vibrant office from the ceiling view.

Brent Orrell, Daniel A. Cox, Jessie Wall
October 25, 2022

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

Over the past two decades, American social and civic life has been on an undeniable downward trajectory. New research finds that the workplace remains an increasingly important generator of social capital in the wake of this civic contraction. Continue Reading →

Photograph of pro-choice protestors holding signs

Karlyn Bowman, Daniel A. Cox
October 4, 2022

Gender, Generation and Abortion: Shifting Politics and Perspectives After Roe

In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion continues to garner widespread public attention. Young women are following the debate over abortion rights closely and more intensely than other Americans. How will it affect their vote in the upcoming election and their approach to politics? Continue Reading →