A cartoon showing a vibrant office from the ceiling view.
Survey report

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

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

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 →

A children's coloring book of the Jewish Haggdah,
Blog

Jews and the Faith of Their Children

Samuel J. Abrams May 23, 2022

Just half of Jews in America today believe it is important for children to be brought up in a religion so they can learn good values, making the Jewish community an outlier compared to other religious traditions. Continue Reading →

The outline of two human heads in an argument, constructed out of neon.
Blog

Polarization in American Family Life is Overblown

Samuel J. Abrams February 23, 2022

Throughout the 2020 election, stories of families and friendships ripped apart by political differences were featured regularly in the press. Many also argued that numerous Americans had become trapped in ideological echo chambers. These narratives all fed into the larger national polarization thesis which suggested Americans were deeply divided and ideologically sorted into narrow social Continue Reading →

A child looks through a window of a car on a rainy day.
Blog

The Problem with Parental Favoritism

Daniel A. Cox February 10, 2022

There is no shortage of advice for parents. The Internet is awash with parenting tips, tactics, and strategies to meet every conceivable exigency. But for all the varying recommendations provided to parents, perhaps one of the most critical is something to be avoided—picking favorites. A new survey suggests that parental favoritism, or even the perception Continue Reading →

Artists rendition of several families sitting at tables having family dinners.
Survey report

Emerging Trends and Enduring Patterns in American Family Life

Daniel A. Cox February 9, 2022

Family dynamics are always evolving, but the emergence of new technologies, shifting economic realities, new cultural sensibilities, and social arrangements have reshaped family life dramatically. But there are enduring patterns in American family life as well. Women still do far more of the household chores, including cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Formative experiences, such as divorce, parental favoritism, and relationships have far-reaching influence. Continue Reading →

Aerial photo of two children eating breakfast with their mother. A fourth plate is set at the table but no one occupies its seat.
Commentary

Democrats and Republicans Should Argue More — Not Less

Daniel A. Cox December 22, 2020

Our survey showed that when our social circles include a more diverse mix of political beliefs, we are more open to argument and less ideologically extreme. And, arguably, the best way to get to this point is to discuss — and disagree about — politics more. Continue Reading →

Survey report

Religious Diversity and Change in American Social Networks: How Our Social Connections Shape Religious Beliefs and Behavior

Daniel A. Cox December 15, 2020

The American Social Network Survey uses a unique design to measure the race, educational background, politics, and religion of our social contacts. The results reveal that personal behavior and beliefs are socially constructed—what we know is influenced by who we know. Americans who have more politically diverse social networks express greater openness to compromise and are less bound to their own beliefs. Racial and ethnic diversity in Americans’ social networks makes one more sensitive to race issues. 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 report

The Parents are Not All Right: The Experiences of Parenting During a Pandemic

Daniel A. Cox, Samuel J. Abrams July 9, 2020

Parenting during the pandemic placed a huge burden on those with children at home. Mothers (especially single mothers) have experienced a decline in mental health and are especially anxious about sending their children back to school. Continue Reading →

Survey report

The Decline of Religion in American Family Life

Daniel A. Cox, Jacqueline Clemence, Eleanor O'Neil December 11, 2019

The November 2019 American Perspectives Survey reveals that young people may not be to blame for the decline in religious affiliation even though they report being raised in less religious households than their parents. Continue Reading →

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. Continue Reading →

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 Continue Reading →

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. Continue Reading →

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. Continue Reading →