Social Trends in American Life: Findings from the General Social Survey since 1972
Social Trends in American Life: Findings from the General Social Survey since 1972
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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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Front Matter
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1
Introduction and Overview
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Trends in Social and Political Orientations
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2
On the Seemingly Relentless Progress in Americans’: Support for Free Expression, 1972–2006
James A. Davis
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3
The Real Record on Racial Attitudes
Lawrence D. Bobo and others
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4
Gender Role Attitudes since 1972: Are Southerners Distinctive?
Karen E. Campbell andPeter V. Marsden
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5
Public Opinion in the “Age of Reagan”: Political Trends 1972–2006
Jeff Manza and others
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6
Crime, Punishment, and Social Disorder: Crime Rates and Trends in Public Opinion over More Than Three Decades
James D. Wright and others
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2
On the Seemingly Relentless Progress in Americans’: Support for Free Expression, 1972–2006
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Changes in Confidence and Connections
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Stability and Flux in Social Indicators
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10
Income, Age, and Happiness in America
Glenn Firebaugh andLaura Tach
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11
Religion and Happiness
Michael Hout andAndrew Greeley
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12
Labor Force Insecurity and U.S. Work Attitudes, 1970s–2006
Arne L. Kalleberg andPeter V. Marsden
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13
Population Trends in Verbal Intelligence in the United States
Duane F. Alwin andJulianna Pacheco
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10
Income, Age, and Happiness in America
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End Matter
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