From behind, a close up of a single white male in a blue graduation cap and gown, surrounded by other graduates wearing the same caps and gowns.
Blog

Have Americans Lost Faith in the Value of a College Education?

Daniel A. Cox January 19, 2022

Americans who pass up an opportunity to go to college may pay for it in the long run, and not just in their paychecks. 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 →

Photo of nails on a board with blue string connecting the heads.
Event

Socially distant: How our divided social networks explain our politics

Jacqueline Clemence October 2, 2020

In the midst of a heated presidential election, health pandemic, and social unrest, it is important to understand how those around us shape our thinking and influence our behavior. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Trump’s in Danger of Losing Some of His Most Faithful Voters

Daniel A. Cox June 27, 2020

It seems clear that Trump’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has hurt him politically. The AEI survey finds that the public has become increasingly critical of Trump’s response to the pandemic, even among his most loyal supporters. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Many White Americans Are Ready to Reopen the Economy. Black Americans Aren’t.

Daniel A. Cox, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux June 16, 2020

Not all Americans are anxious for businesses to reopen. In fact, there is a fairly stark divide among white, black and Hispanic Americans on the subject. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Does Biden Have a Problem With African American Voters?

Daniel A. Cox, Robert Griffin May 28, 2020

Data suggests Biden may be underperforming with black voters when compared with recent Democratic presidential candidates. If that is happening, it may be because younger black Americans don’t support him as strongly as their elders. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Religious Americans Agree on Limiting In-Person Services, Split on Returning to Worship as Usual

Daniel A. Cox, Robert Griffin May 22, 2020

Majorities of Americans remain concerned about COVID-19, and it’s unclear what in-person religious services will look like. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Millennials are Leaving Religion and Not Coming Back

Daniel A. Cox, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux December 12, 2019

Millennials are more likely to say they they have no religion as they are to identify as Christian, as evidence mounts that today’s younger generations may be leaving religion for good. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Joe Biden Has a Serious College-Voter Problem

Daniel A. Cox October 8, 2019

The former vice president has faced challenges shoring up support among a key Democratic constituency: college students. Continue Reading →

Commentary

Could Trump Drive Young White Evangelicals Away From the GOP?

Daniel A. Cox August 20, 2019

Trump has found young white Evangelicals harder to win over. For many older white Evangelicals, Trump’s vigorous public defense of conservative Christians remains the most compelling reason to support his reelection. 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 →

In the news

May 28, 2023

The Rise of Religious ‘Nones’ Won’t Save Democrats

May 25, 2023

‘We Don’t do Deep Emotional Discussions’: Why Men Lose their Friends – And How they Can Make More

May 24, 2023

What Josh Hawley and the Right Get Wrong About Manhood

May 22, 2023

Authors of New Book About Mountain Meadows Massacre Say the Tragedy has Insights for Current Polarized Moment