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Social and Demographic Trends

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Social and Demographic Trends
Societal changes drive public policy.  These shifts include an aging population; the growth of high tech and service sector jobs; evolving views on race, ethnicity, and immigration; and changes in family structure. 

Pew studies these attitudes and trends and their impact through the use of original public opinion survey research, along with social, economic, and demographic data analysis.  Pew’s work includes a major study of the millennial generation and the distinct path it is forging toward adulthood, with fewer ties to traditional religious and political institutions and more use of social media to build personal networks.

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Science Matters: Winter 2021
Science Matters: Winter 2021
Trend Magazine

Winter 2021

In this issue of Trend we step back to explore public attitudes about science and how science can inform policy.

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Trend Magazine

The elements of science extend beyond the lab to our everyday lives—and they start with trust.

Recent Work

April 30, 2025 Are children better off when one parent has a job or when both do? U.S. teens differ in their views

In the U.S., 43% of teenagers say children are better off when one parent doesn’t have a job and focuses on the family.

The post Are children better off when one parent has a job or when both do? U.S. teens differ in their views appeared first on Pew Research Center.

April 22, 2025 Teens, Social Media and Mental Health

Parents are more worried than teens about teen mental health. Both groups – especially parents – partly blame social media. But teens also see benefits.

The post Teens, Social Media and Mental Health appeared first on Pew Research Center.

April 17, 2025 The shares of young adults living with parents vary widely across the U.S.

In 2023, 18% of adults ages 25 to 34 were living in a parent’s home. Young men were more likely than young women to do so (20% vs. 15%).

The post The shares of young adults living with parents vary widely across the U.S. appeared first on Pew Research Center.

March 19, 2025 What Age Do People Around the World Think Is Best to Reach Major Life Milestones?

People in mostly middle-income survey countries say it’s ideal to start a family and own a home by 30, and retire by 60.

The post What Age Do People Around the World Think Is Best to Reach Major Life Milestones? appeared first on Pew Research Center.

March 13, 2025 U.S. adults differ in how much they say certain things should be emphasized for boys and girls

Similar shares of adults say there’s too little emphasis on encouraging boys and girls to be leaders.

The post U.S. adults differ in how much they say certain things should be emphasized for boys and girls appeared first on Pew Research Center.

March 13, 2025 The Gender Gap in Teen Experiences

Teen girls and boys in the U.S. face different pressures and report different experiences at school, though they have many of the same goals in life.

The post The Gender Gap in Teen Experiences appeared first on Pew Research Center.

March 12, 2025 Almost half of Americans say people have gotten ruder since the COVID-19 pandemic

Many Americans perceive a rise in rude behavior, and 34% say they see it almost always or often when they go out in public.

The post Almost half of Americans say people have gotten ruder since the COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on Pew Research Center.

March 3, 2025 The changing face of Congress in 7 charts

The 119th Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, and it includes the nation’s first openly transgender legislator at the federal level.

The post The changing face of Congress in 7 charts appeared first on Pew Research Center.