Americans are far less concerned about terrorism and jobs than they were two years ago
Americans will head to the polls this November with a much different view on the nation's biggest problems than in 2016.
A new survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that more U.S. adults view drug addiction, college affordability, sexism, and racism as "very big" problems than did two years ago.
Just before the 2016 presidential election, 56 percent of Americans already viewed drug addiction as being a "very big" problem, but now, that number has risen to 68 percent. Meanwhile, 63 percent now say college affordability is a very big problem, compared to 52 percent in 2016. Today, 34 percent say sexism is a very big problem, compared to 23 percent in 2016; and 46 percent say racism is a very big problem, compared to 39 percent in 2016.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Some of these answers are split among party lines. For instance, while 48 percent of Democrats see sexism as a very big problem, only 17 percent of Republicans do. But a few issues, including drug addiction and ethics in government, earned bipartisan concern.
Then there are issues that have become less troublesome. Two years ago, 47 percent of those surveyed said job opportunities for Americans was a very big problem, but now, that number has shrunk to just 25 percent. In fact, of the 18 issues presented, job opportunities ranked lowest as the least of Americans' worries. Additionally, just 35 percent now say that terrorism is a very big problem, compared to 53 percent in 2016.
The poll surveyed 10,683 U.S. adults online from Sept. 24 through Oct. 7. The margin of error is 1.5 percentage points. See more results at Pew Research Center.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
5 deliciously funny cartoons about turkeys
Cartoons Artists take on pardons, executions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
DOJ demands changes at 'abhorrent' Atlanta jail
Speed Read Georgia's Fulton County Jail subjects inmates to 'unconstitutional' conditions, the 16-month investigation found
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
China tries to bury deadly car attack
Speed Read An SUV drove into a crowd of people in Zhuhai, killing and injuring dozens — but news of the attack has been censored
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Menendez brothers may go free in LA prosecutor plan
Speed Read Prosecutors are asking for the brothers to be resentenced for the 1989 murder of their parents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published