The Modern American Family
Key trends in marriage and family life in the United States.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Key trends in marriage and family life in the United States.
Americans are more pessimistic than optimistic about the institution of marriage and the family. At the same time, the public is fairly accepting of diverse family arrangements, though some are seen as more acceptable than others.
73% of U.S. adults say family time is one of the most important aspects of their life – and none of the other priorities we asked about comes close.
Half of Americans or more say they are extremely or very comfortable talking about their mental health with a close friend, an immediate family member or a mental health therapist.
About three-quarters of U.S. adults rate spending time with family as one of the most important things to them.
46% of Americans report that they’ve been visited by a dead family member in a dream, while 31% report having been visited by dead relatives in some other form.
Large majorities in both parties say spending time with family provides them a great deal or quite a bit of meaning and fulfillment.
Most Americans value having family close by, while 55% say they live within an hour’s drive of at least some extended family members.
Most Americans (62%) own a pet, including 35% who have more than one. And nearly all U.S. pet owners (97%) say their pets are part of their family.
While Black adults define personal and financial success in different ways, most see these measures of success as major sources of pressure in their lives.
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