friendship

Commentary June 8, 2021

Suburbs Are Not Less Social Than Cities

Samuel J. Abrams

Many believe there are meaningful differences in sociability based on where Americans reside. New data from AEI’s Survey Center on American Life counters this narrative and finds little difference in the social lives of urbanites, suburbanites, and their rural counterparts.   Continue Reading →

Blog June 8, 2021

What Does it Mean to be a Best Friend?

Daniel A. Cox

American friendships have come under considerable stress over the past year, but even in the wake of a global pandemic, most Americans still have at least one close friend. In fact, 87 percent of Americans have one or more close friends. These close friendships are critical to our wellbeing. Americans who have a close friendship Continue Reading →

Survey report June 8, 2021

The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss

Daniel A. Cox

The May 2021 American Perspectives Survey finds that Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support. Continue Reading →