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Cited by 20Electoral Systems and Political ParticipationAmerican Political and Social DynamicsReligion and Society Interactions

Social Trends in American Life: Findings from the General Social Survey since 1972

·2012·Princeton University Press eBooks
DOI 10.23943/princeton/9780691133317.001.0001
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Abstract

This book assembles a team of leading researchers to provide unparalleled insight into how American social attitudes and behaviors have changed since the 1970s. Drawing on the General Social Survey—a social science project that has tracked demographic and attitudinal trends in the United States since 1972—it offers a window into diverse facets of American life, from intergroup relations to political views and orientations, social affiliations, and perceived well-being. Among the book's many important findings are the greater willingness of ordinary Americans to accord rights of free expression to unpopular groups, to endorse formal racial equality, and to accept nontraditional roles for women in the workplace, politics, and the family. Some, but not all, signs indicate that political conservatism has grown, while a few suggest that Republicans and Democrats are more polarized. Some forms of social connectedness such as neighboring have declined, as has confidence in government, while participation in organized religion has softened. Despite rising standards of living, American happiness levels have changed little, though financial and employment insecurity has risen over three decades. This book provides an invaluable perspective on how Americans view their lives and their society, and on how these views have changed over the last two generations.

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Crossref · 10.23943/princeton/9780691133317.001.0001

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  • Americans show more support for income or class-targeted policies than for racial ones.

    “Moreover, Americans show more support for income or class-targeted policies than for racial ones.”

    From Reducing Racial Inequities in Health: Using What We Already Know to Take Action (2019) · cites this paper as [104]

  • Public opinion research over the last four decades in the U.S. has shown that levels of support for government interventions to help blacks have been low and are declining over time.

    “Public opinion research over the last four decades in the U.S. has shown that levels of support for government interventions to help blacks have been low and they are declining over time [104].”

    From Reducing Racial Inequities in Health: Using What We Already Know to Take Action (2019) · cites this paper as [104]

  • In national data, 70% of whites would support giving businesses and industry special tax breaks for locating in poor and high unemployment areas, but only 43% of whites would support such initiatives in largely black areas.

    “in national data, 70% of whites would support giving businesses and industry special tax breaks for locating “in poor and high unemployment areas” but only 43% of whites would support such initiatives in “largely black areas” [104].”

    From Reducing Racial Inequities in Health: Using What We Already Know to Take Action (2019) · cites this paper as [104]

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Related

Venue
Princeton University Press eBooks
Publisher
Princeton University Press
Published
2012-08-26
DOI
10.23943/princeton/9780691133317.001.0001
OpenAlex
W4239040818
Cited by
20
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 1
FWCI
5.55
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Princeton University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › American Political and Social Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
Keywords
social attitudes, social trends, American society, intergroup relations, racial equality, freedom of expression, gender roles, political conservatism, partisanship, social connectedness, neighborly relations, public trust in government, religious participation, happiness, financial insecurity, job insecurity, living standards, General Social Survey

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