What does friendship look like in America?
61% of U.S. adults say having close friends is extremely or very important for people to live a fulfilling life.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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Partisans agree: Time with family and friends is meaningful and fulfilling
Large majorities in both parties say spending time with family provides them a great deal or quite a bit of meaning and fulfillment.
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Social trust in advanced economies is lower among young people and those with less education
A median of 62% of adults across the 14 countries surveyed this summer generally believe most people can be trusted.
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In Emerging Economies, Smartphone and Social Media Users Have Broader Social Networks
Smartphone users in emerging economies – especially those who use social media – tend to be more exposed to people with different backgrounds and more connected with friends they don’t see in person.
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A half-century after ‘Mister Rogers’ debut, 5 facts about neighbors in U.S.
A majority of Americans say they know only some of their neighbors, but far fewer say they know most of them.
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How often people talk about race with family and friends depends on racial and ethnic group, education, politics
Most black and Asian adults say race or race relations come up in their conversations with family and friends at least sometimes.
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Teens who are constantly online are just as likely to socialize with their friends offline
Close to half of U.S. teens say they are on the internet “almost constantly.” Yet highly plugged-in youth in America are just as likely as their less-connected peers to socialize regularly with their friends in person.
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Teens’ Social Media Habits and Experiences
Teens credit social media for helping to build stronger friendships and exposing them to a more diverse world, but they express concern that these sites lead to drama and social pressure.
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Americans who find meaning in these four areas have higher life satisfaction
Four topics are universally associated with higher levels of life satisfaction: a person’s good health, romantic partner, friends and career.
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Where Americans Find Meaning in Life
Family is the most common source of meaning in America, but economic, religious and political divides shape where people find meaning in other aspects of life.
