pewsocialtrends.org | Family and Relationships

America's Four Middle Classes

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Top of the Class, the Satisfied Middle, the Anxious Middle and the Struggling Middle what unites and divides the majority of Americans who call themselves middle class.

Inside the Middle Class: Bad Times Hit the Good Life

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Americans feel stuck in their tracks. Most survey respondents say that in the past five years, they either haven’t moved forward in life (25%) or have fallen backward (31%) -- the most downbeat assessment in nearly half a century of polling by the Pew Research Center and the Gallup organization. But at the same time, two-thirds say they have a higher standard of living than their parents had.

Modern Marriage

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

What makes a marriage work? A new Pew survey finds that "sharing household chores" has moved way up on the charts.

Fewer Mothers Prefer Full-time Work

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

In the span of the past decade, full-time work outside the home has lost some of its appeal to mothers. This trend holds for both those who have such jobs and those who don't.

As Marriage and Parenthood Drift Apart, Public Is Concerned about Social Impact

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST

At a time when nearly four-in-ten births in this country are to an unmarried mother, the public says unwed parenting is a big problem for society. But Americans are far less inclined now than a generation ago to say children are important to a successful marriage, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Being Dad May Be Tougher These Days, but Working Moms are among Their Biggest Fans

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST

Most people agree that it is harder to be a father now than it was 20 or 30 years ago, yet the verdict is mixed on how well today's dads measure up -- about half of the public says they're doing a worse job when compared with fathers a generation ago. But, a majority (56%) of women say today's dads are handling their fatherly duties as well or better than in the past.

Four-in-Ten Americans Have Close Friends or Relatives Who are Gay

Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

A new survey also finds that those with homosexual or lesbian relatives or friends are more likely to accept gay marriage and oppose the firing of gay teachers.

Motherhood Today: Tougher Challenges, Less Success

Wed, 02 May 2007 00:00:00 EST

From managing busy schedules to dealing with outside influences, mothers have their hands full these days - and middle-aged women are their sharpest critics. At the same time, fully 70% of the public says it's harder to be a mother today than it was 20 or 30 years ago; somewhat fewer (60%) say the same about being a father.

Most Americans Moderately Upbeat About Family Finances in 2007

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST

Most Americans are moderately upbeat about their family's financial prospects in the coming year, with 57% expecting some improvement in their financial situation and another 10% expecting a lot of improvement, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Calling Mom on Mother's Day. And the Day Before. And the Day After.

Tue, 09 May 2006 00:00:00 EST

The traditional holiday phone call to mom may not have the impact it once had- not because fewer sons and daughters remember to call, but because more are already talking to mom every other day of the year.