Social Isolation and New Technology
How the internet and mobile phones impact Americans’ social networks.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
People who use modern information and communication technologies have larger and more diverse social networks, according to new national survey findings that for the first time explore how people use the internet and mobile phones to interact with…
The Government Restrictions Index is based on 20 questions used by the Pew Forum to assess whether governments – including at the local or provincial level – restrict religious practices or beliefs. The questions are intended to gauge the extent to which governments try to control religious groups or individuals, prohibit conversions from one faith […]
Overview The public is increasingly optimistic that the nation’s economy will improve in the next year, while a growing number also expect their personal finances to get better. But this has not caused people to open their wallets: The proportion saying they have cut back on personal spending remains as high as it was earlier […]
Bloggers last week debated whether the worldwide swine flu outbreak was a serious public health menace or a case of excessive media hype. And Arlen Specter’s change of parties stirred a partisan debate over the state of the GOP.
While unemployment levels are a critical measure of the nation’s economic standing, the impact of job problems goes far beyond the minority who are currently out of work. Of all adults interviewed in the survey, 12% say they are currently not working and seeking employment; another 28% are not working but not looking, including retired […]
The financial concerns of people who are relatively well-off have been increasing in recent months. But the fallout from the financial crisis – in struggles to pay for housing and health insurance, problems with credit, as well as in job layoffs and pay cuts –continues to be felt most acutely by lower-income Americans. Overall, 23% […]
Congress voted on a Detroit bailout, the media focused on fallout from the economic meltdown, and Barack Obama rolled out a key appointment. But a political scandal bleepin’ swamped ‘em all.