Thursday, March 28, 2024
46.0°F

Family comes first

by Maureen Dolan For Coeur Voice
| December 10, 2018 12:45 PM

Where do you find meaning in your life? What keeps you going?

A study published Nov. 20 by Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C.

reveals that while Americans stand deeply divided when it comes to politics, religion and economic standing, the things that are most important to us are not all that different.

Most Americans find great meaning and fulfillment in their families. Of the nearly 5,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 69 percent said family gives them the greatest sense of meaning. That percentage came from a mix of demographics, but people who are married cited family as a key source of meaning more often than single adults.

Religion came in second to family as the “most important” source of meaning in people’s lives.

A third of those surveyed mention their career or job as a great source of meaning and satisfaction, and nearly a quarter talk about finances. Other areas commonly mentioned include friendships, hobbies or activities, being in good health, having a nice place to live, creativity and learning.

While overall, family and religion rate high across the board with respondents, there are some divisions when age, income levels, religion and politics are factored in.

Friendship, good health, stability and travel are more important sources of meaning to people with higher incomes. A quarter of the people who earn at least $75,000 per year mention their friends when asked what makes life meaningful, compared to 14 percent of those making less than $30,000 each year.

Spiritual belief is another dividing factor. Faith is a great source of meaning for many evangelicals, while atheists often derive meaning from activities and finances.

Politically, conservative Americans are more likely than liberals to find meaning in religion, while creativity and causes are greater sources of meaning and fulfillment to liberals than they are to conservatives.

Religious is a less important source of meaning to younger Americans, but they derive more meaning from learning than older citizens. Just 10 percent of U.S. adults under 30 mention spirituality and faith as a key source of meaning, while three-in-ten adults 65 and older mention religion when asked what they find meaningful in life.

Where do you find meaning in life?

Send your answer, with your age and hometown to mdolan@cdapress.com

•••

Source: www.pewforum.org/2018/11/20/where-americans-find-meaning-in-life/