{"id":187129,"date":"2024-09-13T11:55:21","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T15:55:21","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2024-09-16T12:54:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T16:54:40","slug":"how-us-public-opinion-has-changed-in-20-years-of-our-surveys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2024\/09\/13\/how-us-public-opinion-has-changed-in-20-years-of-our-surveys\/","title":{"rendered":"How U.S. Public Opinion Has Changed in 20 Years of Our Surveys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3b5177cb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-small-icon-size has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-b507c051 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data-wp-context=\"{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/alpha.pewresearch.org\\\/pewresearch-org\\\/?p=187129&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;How U.S. Public Opinion Has Changed in 20 Years of Our Surveys&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;We took a closer look at how Americans\\u2019 views and experiences have evolved on a variety of topics over the last 20 years.&quot;,&quot;platform&quot;:&quot;linkedin&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/social-links\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\" style=\"color:#2a2a2a\" class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin has-text-color-color wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"how-u-s-public-opinion-has-changed-in-20-years-of-our-surveys\">How U.S. Public Opinion Has Changed in 20 Years of Our Surveys<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-prc-block-bylines-display-is-layout-cbcdc57d wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display-is-layout-flex\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display__bylines\"><span class=\"wp-block-prc-block-bylines-display__prefix\">By<\/span> <a rel=\"author\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/staff\/jenn-hatfield\/\" aria-label=\"View author archive for Jenn Hatfield\">Jenn Hatfield<\/a><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"padding-top:0px\" class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-post-date has-small-label-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2024-09-13T11:55:21-04:00\">September 13, 2024<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-ui-text-color-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c42739ec304b658a2a1218acbcc101c1\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;min-height:480px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-ui-black-background-color has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img data-dominant-color=\"a39f93\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a39f93;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-187148 not-transparent\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=564,317 564w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=1128,634 1128w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=690,388 690w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=268,151 268w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=536,302 536w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=194,110 194w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=148,84 148w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=296,168 296w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=720,405 720w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=200,113 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=260,146 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=310,174 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=420,236 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=640,360 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=740,416 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=160,90 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=320,180 320w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_feature.png?resize=540,304 540w\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When The Pew Charitable Trusts <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/about\/our-history\/\">created Pew Research Center<\/a> in 2004, we were surveying Americans using the established industry method at the time: calling people on their landline phones and hoping they\u2019d answer. As the Center marks its 20th anniversary this year,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/methods\/2023\/04\/19\/how-public-polling-has-changed-in-the-21st-century\/\">survey methods have become more diverse<\/a>, and we now&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/06\/26\/how-do-people-in-the-us-take-pew-research-center-surveys-anyway\/\">conduct most of our interviews online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public opinion itself has also changed in major ways over the last 20 years, just as the country and world have. In this data essay, we\u2019ll take a closer look at how Americans\u2019 views and experiences have evolved on topics ranging from technology and politics to religion and social issues.<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"how-we-did-this\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;how-we-did-this&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>How we did this<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To mark Pew Research Center\u2019s 20th anniversary, this data essay summarizes key shifts in public opinion and national demographics between 2004 and 2024. The essay is based on survey data from the Center and the U.S. Census Bureau. Links to these sources are available in the text. The links to the Center surveys include information about their field dates, sample sizes and other methodological details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All references to Republicans and Democrats in this analysis include independents who lean toward each party. White, Black and Asian racial categories reflect people who identify as single-race and non-Hispanic.\u00a0Hispanics are of any race.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-rise-of-the-internet-smartphones-and-social-media\">The rise of the internet, smartphones and social media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The past two decades have witnessed the emergence of all sorts of technologies that let people interact with the world in new ways. For instance, 63% of U.S. adults <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/fact-sheet\/internet-broadband\/\">used the internet<\/a> in 2004, and 65% <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/fact-sheet\/mobile\/\">owned a cellphone<\/a> (we weren\u2019t yet asking about smartphones). Today, 95% of U.S. adults browse the internet, and 90% own a smartphone, according to our surveys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Social media was just taking off in 2004, the year Mark Zuckerberg launched \u201cThe Facebook\u201d (as it was known then) from his Harvard dorm room. Since then, Americans have <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/fact-sheet\/social-media\/\">widely adopted social media<\/a>. These platforms have also become a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/fact-sheet\/social-media-and-news-fact-sheet\/\">key source of news<\/a> for the U.S. public, even as <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/02\/07\/many-americans-find-value-in-getting-news-on-social-media-but-concerns-about-inaccuracy-have-risen\/\">concerns about misinformation<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/07\/10\/majority-of-americans-say-tiktok-is-a-threat-to-national-security\/\">national security<\/a> have grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, many traditional news organizations have struggled. In 2004, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/fact-sheet\/newspapers\/\">daily weekday newspaper circulation<\/a> in the U.S. totaled around 55 million. By 2022, that had fallen to just under 21 million. Newspapers\u2019 advertising dollars and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2020\/04\/28\/10-charts-about-americas-newsrooms\/\">employee counts<\/a>&nbsp;have also decreased.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this more fragmented news environment, Americans \u2013 particularly Republicans \u2013 have <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2021\/08\/30\/partisan-divides-in-media-trust-widen-driven-by-a-decline-among-republicans\/\">become less trusting<\/a> of the information that comes from news organizations. On the whole, however, more people still say they trust information <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2022\/10\/27\/u-s-adults-under-30-now-trust-information-from-social-media-almost-as-much-as-from-national-news-outlets\/\">from news organizations<\/a> than from social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"8f7e68\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8f7e68;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_phones.jpg?resize=480,320 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_phones.jpg?resize=782,521 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_phones.jpg?resize=960,640 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_phones.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_phones.jpg?resize=1280,853 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"427\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_phones.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"Selfies and social media at a contemporary art show in Miami Beach, Florida, in 2018. (Jeffrey Greenberg\/Education Images\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-187152 not-transparent\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Selfies and social media at a contemporary art show in Miami Beach, Florida, in 2018. (Jeffrey Greenberg\/Education Images\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-emerging-technologies\">Other emerging technologies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some technological changes over the past 20 years haven\u2019t been as widely adopted, and a few still sound like science fiction. For example, Elon Musk announced this year that his company Neuralink had&nbsp;implanted a computer chip&nbsp;in a living person\u2019s brain. The chip is intended to allow people to use phones or computers simply by&nbsp;<em>thinking<\/em>&nbsp;about what they want to do on the devices \u2013 an idea that Americans are <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/02\/01\/computer-chips-in-human-brains-how-americans-view-the-technology-amid-recent-advances\/\">largely hesitant about<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other innovations we\u2019ve surveyed about that might have seemed far-fetched back in 2004 include <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2022\/03\/17\/americans-cautious-about-the-deployment-of-driverless-cars\/\">driverless passenger vehicles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2023\/07\/20\/americans-views-of-space-u-s-role-nasa-priorities-and-impact-of-private-companies\/#Americans-interest-and-participation-in-space-related-activities\">space tourism<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/03\/26\/americans-use-of-chatgpt-is-ticking-up-but-few-trust-its-election-information\/\">AI chatbots<\/a> like ChatGPT, and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2022\/03\/17\/americans-are-closely-divided-over-editing-a-babys-genes-to-reduce-serious-health-risk\/\">gene editing<\/a> to reduce a baby\u2019s risk of developing serious health conditions. Our research suggests that Americans are still getting introduced to and forming opinions of these technologies, so we\u2019ll likely see public attitudes evolve on these and other innovations over the next 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"declining-trust-in-national-institutions\">Declining trust in national institutions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around the Center\u2019s founding in 2004, 36% of Americans said they <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2024\/06\/24\/public-trust-in-government-1958-2024\/\">trusted the federal government<\/a> to do what is right just about always or most of the time. By April 2024, just 22% said the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is part of a longer-term decline in trust. In 1964, 77% of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing all or most of the time. There have been a few periods of <em>increased<\/em> trust in the decades since, including shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But since 2008, fewer than 30% of Americans have said they trust the government to do the right thing all or most of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Views of Congress and the Supreme Court have also become more negative over the past 20 years. In 2006, 53% of Americans <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2023\/09\/19\/how-americans-view-congress-the-president-state-and-local-political-leaders\/\">had a favorable view of Congress<\/a>, but after some ups and downs, that share fell to 26% in 2023. And the share of adults who <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/08\/08\/favorable-views-of-supreme-court-remain-near-historic-low\/\">view the nation\u2019s highest court favorably<\/a> is near its lowest mark in almost 40 years of data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"a3a3a3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a3a3a3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_scotus.jpg?resize=480,320 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_scotus.jpg?resize=782,521 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_scotus.jpg?resize=960,640 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_scotus.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_scotus.jpg?resize=1280,853 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"427\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_scotus.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"The US Supreme Court is seen as the Court hears oral arguments in the case of Murthy v. Missouri in Washington, DC, March 18, 2024. The case stems from a lawsuit brought by the Republican attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri, who allege that government officials went too far in their efforts to get social media platforms to combat vaccine and election misinformation. (Photo by SAUL LOEB \/ AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB\/AFP via Getty Images)(Saul Loeb\/AFP via Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-187153 not-transparent\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Saul Loeb\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The years during and after the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/topic\/coronavirus-disease-covid-19\/\">coronavirus pandemic<\/a> have also seen a more general distrust of people who were once considered experts. Many Americans were dissatisfied with the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2022\/10\/05\/lack-of-preparedness-among-top-reactions-americans-have-to-public-health-officials-covid-19-response\/\">communication they received<\/a> about the pandemic from public health officials, and close to half thought officials were unprepared for the initial coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Most Americans still <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/science\/2023\/11\/14\/americans-trust-in-scientists-positive-views-of-science-continue-to-decline\/\">trust scientists<\/a> to act in the public\u2019s best interest, but fewer say this now than in 2020, especially among Republicans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"more-diversity-in-the-u-s-and-its-government\">More diversity in the U.S. and its government<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. has become much more diverse over the past 20 years on several measures, including immigrant status. Today, immigrants account for <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/07\/22\/key-findings-about-us-immigrants\/\">13.8% of the nation\u2019s population<\/a> \u2013 near the record high from 1890 \u2013 and they have come from just about every country in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Racial and ethnic diversity has also increased. Between 2004 and 2022, the U.S. population grew by 14%, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/topics\/population\/race.html\">according to the Census Bureau<\/a>. But the Asian, Hispanic and Black populations all grew at faster rates \u2013 74%, 55% and 22%, respectively \u2013 while the White population remained stable. As a result, the share of Americans who are White fell from 68% in 2004 to 59% in 2022.[1. White, Black and Asian populations include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"85736b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #85736b;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_citizens.jpg?resize=480,318 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_citizens.jpg?resize=782,517 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_citizens.jpg?resize=960,635 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_citizens.jpg?resize=1200,794 1200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_citizens.jpg?resize=1280,847 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"424\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_citizens.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"Candidates take the oath to become U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in 2016. (Saul Loeb\/AFP via Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-187150 not-transparent\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Candidates take the oath to become U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in 2016. (Saul Loeb\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the country has become more diverse, so have its voters \u2013 and its leaders. The <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/02\/07\/the-changing-face-of-congress\/\">118th Congress<\/a> is the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, and the number of women in Congress is at an all-time high. And majorities of <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/12\/04\/most-of-bidens-appointed-judges-to-date-are-women-racial-or-ethnic-minorities-a-first-for-any-president\/\">President Joe Biden\u2019s judicial appointments<\/a> have been women and racial or ethnic minorities, a first for any president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, there\u2019s some skepticism that women will ever achieve parity with men in political leadership. In 2023, 52% of Americans said it is only a matter of time before there are&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2023\/09\/27\/views-of-the-state-of-gender-equality-in-politics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">as many women in political office as men<\/a>, while 46% said men will continue to hold more high political offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"growing-dissatisfaction-with-the-democratic-and-republican-parties\">Growing dissatisfaction with the Democratic and Republican parties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f4f3f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"748\"  sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_1.png?resize=480,579 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_1.png?resize=620,748 620w\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_1.png?w=620\" alt=\"A line chart showing that around 3 in 10 Americans now have unfavorable views of both parties.\" class=\"wp-image-187135 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f4f3f1; width:310px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the early 2000s, very few Americans had unfavorable views of <em>both<\/em> the Democratic and Republican parties. But over the next two decades, the share <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2023\/09\/19\/the-republican-and-democratic-parties\/\">saying they dislike both major parties<\/a> increased, reaching 28% in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is just one element of Americans\u2019 broad <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2023\/09\/19\/americans-dismal-views-of-the-nations-politics\/\">dissatisfaction with politics<\/a>. As trust in political institutions declines, few Americans now think the political system is working even somewhat well. Majorities say that most elected officials <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/04\/30\/more-than-80-of-americans-believe-elected-officials-dont-care-what-people-like-them-think\/\">don\u2019t care what people like them think<\/a> and that ordinary people have too little influence on Congress\u2019 decision-making. And most see <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/06\/25\/americans-see-little-bipartisan-common-ground-but-more-on-foreign-policy-than-on-abortion-guns\/\">little or no common ground<\/a> between Republicans and Democrats on the economy, the environment, the budget deficit, immigration, gun policy or abortion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a result, many Americans say they <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2023\/09\/19\/americans-feelings-about-politics-polarization-and-the-tone-of-political-discourse\/\">regularly feel angry or exhausted<\/a> when they think about U.S. politics, and very few feel hopeful and excited. When asked for the one word or phrase they\u2019d use to describe politics today, some of the most common answers are \u201cdivisive,\u201d \u201ccorrupt\u201d and \u201cmessy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"china-s-emergence-as-a-perceived-threat-and-even-an-enemy\">China\u2019s emergence as a perceived threat \u2013 and even an enemy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f6f6f6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_2.png?resize=480,503 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_2.png?resize=782,819 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_2.png?resize=840,880 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"670\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_2.png?w=640\" alt=\"A line chart showing that most Americans hold an unfavorable view of China.\" class=\"wp-image-187134 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f6f6f6; width:420px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Americans\u2019 views of China have become increasingly negative over the past two decades. In 2005, the first year we asked this question, 35% of U.S. adults had an unfavorable view of China. Today, about eight-in-ten view China unfavorably, and about four-in-ten <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2024\/05\/01\/chinas-relationship-with-the-u-s\/\">say it is an enemy of the U.S.<\/a>, as opposed to a competitor or a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an open-ended survey question in 2023, half of Americans named China as <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/07\/27\/americans-name-china-as-the-country-posing-the-greatest-threat-to-the-us\/\">the country that poses the greatest threat<\/a> to the U.S. \u2013 about three times the share who named Russia, the second-most common answer. In contrast, China was only the third-most popular answer in 2007, behind Iran and Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-rise-of-the-religiously-unaffiliated\">The rise of the religiously unaffiliated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many Americans describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or \u201cnothing in particular.\u201d At the Center, we refer to this group as <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/01\/24\/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe\/\">religious \u201cnones.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The share of Americans who identify as religious nones is significantly higher than it was when we began asking this question about religious identity in 2007. In recent years, the share of religious nones has mostly been stable, around 28%. But it\u2019s too early to tell <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/01\/24\/has-the-rise-of-religious-nones-come-to-an-end-in-the-us\/\">whether this population is leveling off<\/a> or will continue to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, religious nones are currently <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/methods\/fact-sheet\/national-public-opinion-reference-survey-npors\/\">one of the largest religious groups<\/a> in the United States. They trail Protestants, who make up 41% of U.S. adults, but make up a larger share of the population than Catholics (20%) and all other faiths (8%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While they don\u2019t identify with any organized religion, many religious nones <em>do<\/em> hold <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/2024\/01\/24\/religious-nones-in-america-who-they-are-and-what-they-believe\/#q4-are-all-nones-nonbelievers\">some religious or spiritual beliefs<\/a>. For example, most say there is some higher power or spiritual force in the universe, though just 13% say they believe in \u201cGod as described in the Bible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-reversal-in-public-opinion-about-same-sex-marriage\">A reversal in public opinion about same-sex marriage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"4f5548\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4f5548;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_ssm.jpg?resize=480,305 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_ssm.jpg?resize=782,497 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_ssm.jpg?resize=960,610 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_ssm.jpg?resize=1200,762 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"406\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_ssm.jpg?w=640\" alt=\"Eileen Counihan and her partner, Erin Golden, celebrate after getting their marriage license in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in May 2004. (Wendy Maeda\/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)\" class=\"wp-image-187151 not-transparent\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eileen Counihan and her partner, Erin Golden, celebrate after getting their marriage license in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in May 2004. (Wendy Maeda\/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first same-sex marriages in the U.S. took place in 2004 in Massachusetts \u2013 to the consternation of both presidential candidates at the time, Republican George W. Bush and Democrat John Kerry. Their opinions reflected those of the general public: That year, <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/fact-sheet\/changing-attitudes-on-gay-marriage\/\">31% of Americans supported same-sex marriage<\/a>, while 60% opposed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By 2023, attitudes on same-sex marriage had effectively flipped: <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/11\/27\/how-people-around-the-world-view-same-sex-marriage\/\">63% of Americans supported it<\/a> and 34% opposed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tide began to turn around 2010, when similar shares expressed support and opposition for same-sex marriage. Soon, larger shares began to favor than oppose it. And by 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark&nbsp;Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which established that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the world\u2019s first same-sex marriages were legally recognized in the Netherlands in 2001, many places globally have followed a similar path as the U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/11\/27\/how-people-around-the-world-view-same-sex-marriage\/\">International views of same-sex marriage<\/a> vary, but in general, there has been increased support over the past decade. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/religion\/fact-sheet\/gay-marriage-around-the-world\/\">more than 30 places worldwide<\/a>, mostly in Europe and the Americas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"another-reversal-marijuana-legalization\">Another reversal: Marijuana legalization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-640-wide is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f5f4f1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"620\" height=\"972\"  sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_3.png?resize=480,753 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_3.png?resize=620,972 620w\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_3.png?w=620\" alt=\"A line chart showing that U.S. public opinion on legalizing marijuana, 1969-2023.\" class=\"wp-image-187133 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f5f4f1; width:310px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/04\/10\/facts-about-marijuana\/\">Support for legalizing marijuana<\/a> has also been on the rise in the U.S. over the past two decades. Around the time the Center was established in 2004, just a third of U.S. adults said marijuana should be legalized, but that rose to 70% by 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The change in attitudes is even starker when looking at the longer term. In 1969, just 12% of Americans supported legalizing marijuana. It wasn\u2019t until 1996 that any state legalized the drug for medical purposes, and it took until 2012 for states to begin legalizing it for recreational purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, 38 states and the District of Columbia <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/04\/10\/facts-about-marijuana\/\">have legalized marijuana<\/a> for medical and\/or recreational use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"increasingly-polarized-views-on-climate-change-guns-abortion\">Increasingly polarized views on climate change, guns, abortion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On several issues, the pattern is not just that Americans\u2019 views have changed markedly over the past two decades. It\u2019s that Democrats and Republicans have grown further apart in their views, eroding areas of common ground between the parties. (In this essay, as in most Center publications, \u201cDemocrats\u201d and \u201cRepublicans\u201d refer to people who identify with <em>or<\/em> lean toward that party.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider climate change. In 2009, Democrats were already 36 percentage points more likely than Republicans to <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/08\/09\/what-the-data-says-about-americans-views-of-climate-change\/\">say climate change is a major threat<\/a> to the U.S. (61% vs. 25%). But by 2022, that partisan gap had grown to 55 points: 78% of Democrats, but just 23% of Republicans, considered climate change a major threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Globally, people in many advanced economies tend to have similar levels of concern to U.S. Democrats. A median of 75% of adults across <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/global\/2022\/08\/31\/climate-change-remains-top-global-threat-across-19-country-survey\/\">19 countries we surveyed in 2022<\/a> said climate change is a major threat to their country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The topic of guns has <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2022\/07\/11\/broad-public-approval-of-new-gun-law-but-few-say-it-will-do-a-lot-to-stem-gun-violence\/#gun-rights-gun-control-and-the-impact-of-gun-ownership-on-crime\">become increasingly partisan<\/a>, too. In 2003, 56% of Republicans and 29% of Democrats said it was more important to protect Americans\u2019 right to own guns than to control gun ownership, a 27-point gap. But by 2022, that gap had swelled to 63 points (81% vs. 18%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These changes coincided with major court rulings, including the Supreme Court\u2019s 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, which held that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual\u2019s right to have a gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f5f4f3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f5f4f3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_4.png?resize=480,318 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_4.png?resize=782,518 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_4.png?resize=960,636 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_4.png?resize=1200,795 1200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_4.png?resize=1280,848 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"424\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/09\/SR_24.09.13_prc-20-years_4.png?w=640\" alt=\"A line chart showing that the public remains closely divided over controlling gun ownership and protecting gun rights, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposing views.\" class=\"wp-image-187132 not-transparent\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abortion is another subject where partisan divisions have grown. In 2007, 63% of Democrats <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/politics\/2024\/05\/13\/broad-public-support-for-legal-abortion-persists-2-years-after-dobbs\/\">said abortion should be legal<\/a> in all or most cases. That share has grown to 85% today, following the Supreme Court\u2019s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had enshrined the constitutional right to abortion in 1973.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By comparison, there has been relatively little change in opinion among Republicans: About four-in-ten continue to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. As a result, the partisan gap has soared from 24 points in 2007 to 44 points today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Global views vary, but <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2024\/05\/15\/support-for-legal-abortion-is-widespread-in-many-countries-especially-in-europe\/\">support for legal abortion has generally grown<\/a> over the past decade in Europe, Latin America and India. A median of 66% of adults across 27 places we surveyed now say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. In most places where we can measure political ideology on a left-right scale, people on the left are more likely than those on the right to support legal abortion. But the U.S. has by far the largest gap between the two sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>All photos by Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We took a closer look at how Americans\u2019 views and experiences have evolved on a variety of topics over the last 20 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