Family Matters

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Welcome to Front Page, where we break down Gallup's latest insights on our constantly evolving world. Here are the five insights you shouldn't miss this week:

1. Family Matters

Column Chart: 44% of Americans say that two children is the ideal number of children for a family.

In our long-term trend on ideal family size, an increasing percentage of Americans say three or more children in a family is ideal. We haven't seen that perception this high since 1971. But while the rest of Americans mostly cite one or two children as ideal (very few say zero), the trend in preferences doesn't match up with Americans' personal choices, as the U.S. birth rate remains lower than in past generations.
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2. Finding Your Peace

Bar Chart: 80% of people worldwide always or often feel harmony with others around them.

Finding inner peace in this chaotic and fast-paced world can be challenging, if not elusive. As our work with the Wellbeing for Planet Earth Foundation continues to broaden how wellbeing is measured, we find that Eastern concepts of wellbeing such as harmony and balance exist in abundance for many across the globe.
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3. The Supremes' Stagnancy

Line Chart: 58% of Americans disapprove of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job.

With the highest court in the land back in session this week, we checked in on public approval of how well it is doing its job. Today, the majority of Americans disapprove of the job the justices are doing, and approval remains near last year's record low. This session will bring various high-profile legal issues that will likely keep the court in the front of Americans' minds.
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4. Are You Spiritual, Religious, Both or Neither?

Bar Chart: Spiritual and religious beliefs in the U.S., by age group.

While religious identification has declined in the U.S., Americans remain far from irreverent. In fact, 82% describe themselves as religious, spiritual or both. But perhaps most surprising is that the youngest adults (those aged 18 to 29) are just as likely, if not more likely, as middle-aged adults to identify as religious. They are, however, less inclined to say they are spiritual — and are the age group most likely to identify as neither.
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5. Hooray for Hollywood … and Motown?

Bar Chart: Most Americans stand with striking workers in the auto and entertainment industries.

With the writers' strike resolved, questions remain on whether the Screen Actors Guild and United Auto Workers unions will follow suit in achieving an acceptable compromise with their labor negotiation opponents. Whether or not that happens, one thing is clear: Most of the U.S. public sides with the workers over their bosses.
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And that's Front Page!

Mohamed Younis
Editor-in-Chief
Gallup

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