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US Finds Reasons to be Cheerful
Despite the deep divides identified by many commentators during and after the US presidential campaign, Harris Interactive's annual 'Feel Good Index' shows Americans as happy as they have been this century. The index fell one point each year from 1998 to 2003 but has recovered most of the loss this year.
The Harris Poll(r) asks US adults whether they feel good about 16 aspects of their lives and of the country and Harris Interactive(r) generates a national 'Feel Good Index' from the replies. In 1998, when the economy was booming and long before the attacks of 9/11 or the Iraq war, the index stood at 75 - it is now back to 74.
The proportion who feel good about the economy or about their jobs is still well down on late 1990s levels, but there are big increases in the number who feel good about the morals and ethics of people in their communities and of Americans generally. The percentage feeling good about 'The morals and values of Americans in general' is up 8 points from 47% last year to an all-time high of 55%. Also at its highest ever is the score for 'the morals and values of people in your community' up 7 to 77%.
The proportions feeling good about 'the nation's economy' (43%), relations with family (98%), 'the city, town or county where you live' (84%) and 'Your marriage, if you are married' (66%) are all up by 6-8% versus last year.
In terms of changes since the peak year of 1998, the biggest improvements have been in percentages feeling good about morals and values and their marriage. The biggest declines are in economic areas: 'the nation's economy', down from 64% in 1998 and 68% the two following years) to 43% now, 'your job if you have one' (down from 67% to 60%), 'your standard of living' (down from 90% to 85%) and 'Your financial security for the future' down from 67% to 62%. Interestingly, 91% now feel good about their social life, versus 87% in 1998.
The Harris Poll(r) interviewed 1016 US adults (18+) by telephone between October 14 and 17. Harris Interactive is online at www.harrisinteractive.com
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