Partisan divisions persist in schools, unions and churches
Pew Research Center conducted this study to examine Americans’ views on various state institutions. For this analysis, we surveyed 5,140 U.S. adults from January 16 to January 21, 2024. All participants in this study are members of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP). ATP is a nationally recruited online survey panel. Random sampling of residential addresses. In this way, nearly every American adult has the opportunity to choose. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education, and other categories. Learn more about ATP’s methodology here.
Below are the questions and answers used in this report, as well as the research methodology.
Americans overwhelmingly believe that small businesses have a positive impact on the nation’s situation.
In contrast, their view of large corporations is generally negative. Most people, including the same shares of both parties, are also critical of the influence of banks and financial institutions.
A new national survey of 5,140 adults conducted by Pew Research Center between January 16 and January 21 also found:
The U.S. military is viewed positively by 60% of Americans, and these views are similar across most demographic and political groups.
There are wide partisan divides about the impact of educational institutions, including both K-12 public schools and colleges and universities.
Roughly three-quarters of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents view colleges positively, compared to just 10 Republicans and Republican-leaning voters who give these colleges positive reviews. Only three people. The partisan divide on K-12 public schools is about the same.
Churches and religious organizations are viewed positively by about 6 in 10 Americans, but these differences among Republicans and Democrats, and between religiously affiliated and independents There is a big difference in perspective.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Republicans say churches and religious institutions have a positive impact. Democrats are even more divided, with 45% saying the effect would be positive and 53% saying it would be negative. Additionally, while religiously affiliated Americans generally assess the influence of organized religion positively, unaffiliated Americans’ views are more negative.
Views about the effectiveness of trade unions also vary widely across political parties.
Three-quarters of Democrats say labor unions have had a positive impact on recent developments in the United States, compared to just 35% of Republicans.
Let’s take a closer look at the demographic and political differences in how Americans view the impact of each of these institutions.
