The religious and social experiences of young adults today are entirely different than previous generations. New family dynamics and parenting choices are reshaping the religious experiences of young people, setting them on a very different trajectory than past generations and making Generation Z the least religious generation. Continue Reading →
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, “defund the police” became a rallying cry among many liberal activists. Even so, the movement never really caught on among the establishment wing of the Democratic party. Certainly, rising crime had something to do with this: The FBI found that the murder rate increased roughly 30 percent between Continue Reading →
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 →
Survey report December 13, 2021
The College Connection: The Education Divide in American Social and Community Life
Despite concerns about rising student debt, the economic value of a college education has never been clearer. College graduates are more socially connected, civically engaged, and active in their communities. College graduates have more extensive systems of social support, a larger number of close friends, and feel lonely and isolated less often than those without a degree. Continue Reading →
Survey report October 20, 2021
Public Places and Commercial Spaces: How Neighborhood Amenities Foster Trust and Connection in American Communities
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 →
Survey report March 4, 2021
Social Isolation and Community Disconnection are Not Spurring Conspiracy Theories
After the 2020 presidential election, a new survey finds acute partisan disagreement over whether President Biden was legitimately elected and whether political violence can ever be justified. Although most Americans believe the 2020 election was a fair contest, most Republicans disagree and express concerns about voter fraud. Republicans are more likely to embrace political conspiracies, including the existence of a “Deep State” working to thwart Donald Trump’s presidency and the Q-Anon conspiracy that Trump is fighting a cabal of sex traffickers. Continue Reading →
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these community spaces look a little different right now. Coffee shops, restaurants, and parks have more importance than ever in connecting us to our community and to the world outside our homes. Continue Reading →
Survey report November 18, 2020
Hopes and Challenges For Community and Civic Life: Perspectives From the Nation and Indiana
The coronavirus outbreak created tensions between urban Americans hit hard by the virus and small towns and rural communities. Despite these disparities, surveys find that, before COVID-19, Americans expressed many of the same ideas and priorities regarding their communities, revealing we may not be as divided as one might think. Continue Reading →
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 →
Survey Reports
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