Americans are Pessimistic about Country’s Future

Pew Research Center conducted a new survey, that found that when it comes to several aspects of society, Americans generally feel pessimistic about the future of the country. In particular 63% are pessimistic about the country’s moral and ethical standards and 59% are pessimistic about the education system.

Smaller groups were worried about other aspects of the country’s future:

-The United States’ ability to ensure racial equality for all peoples; 44% are pessimistic, 28% are optimistic.

-The ability of the country to get along with other countries; 41% vs.30%.

-The institution of marriage and family in the country; 40% vs 25%.

Views on these differ greatly by political party and in some cases by race and age.

Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely than democrats and democratic leaners to say they are pessimistic about the following in double digit margins:

-Marriage and family in the country, 56% Republicans and 25% Democrats.

-Moral and ethical standards; 75% vs 54%

-The Country’s education system; 67% vs 53%

-The Country’s ability to get along with other countries 48% vs 35%

Democrats are, however, more pessimistic about racial equality than their republican counterparts. More than half of democrats (54%) are pessimistic about the ability of the United States to ensure racial equality for all people.Only 33% of Republicans share their pessimism and 33% are actually optimistic.

Age is also a factor in views of moral and ethical standards and about the institution of marriage and the family. Adults 65 and older are more pessimistic than the younger ages in both categories. White adults are the most pessimistic when it comes to topics of:

-Moral and Ethical Standards; 71% of White Adults are pessimistic, 55% of Asian, 50% of Black and 50% of Hispanic Adults.

-Education; 64% of White, 50% of Hispanic, 48% of Asian, and 45% of Black Adults.

-The ability of the United States to get along with other countries; 45% White, 36% of Hispanic, and 34% each among Black and Asian Adults are pessimistic.

About half of Black (51%) and Asian (49%) adults say they feel pessimistic about the ability of the United States to ensure racial equality in the future. Less than half of Hispanic (44%) and White (43%) adults say the same.

SOURCE: Pew Research Center

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