This year, more Americans say they have more to be thankful for than said so in either 1974 when this question was first asked, or a few years later in 1980 (38% and 37%, respectively). However, in 1983 half of Americans said they had more to be thankful for (50%), which is more than say so today.
Some other interesting findings include:
- Younger Americans say they have more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving than in previous years—half of those 18-33 say this (49%), as do two in five of those 34-45 and 46-64 (43% and 38%), compared to just three in ten Matures, 65 and older, (30%) who say the same;
- Americans with more education say they are more thankful—46% of both those who have graduated from college or attended grad school say this, compared to 35% of those who have not attended any college;
- Despite younger Americans saying they have more to be thankful for this year, greater numbers of older Americans say they are thankful for a variety of items discussed. For example, adults aged 65 and older say they are thankful for the health of their family (87%), their family relationships (90%), their own personal economic situation (74%), their work situation (68%), because good technology is easily accessible (78%) and because technology makes it easy to stay in touch with family and friends (87%). Fewer Echo Boomers, aged 18-33, say they are thankful for these things—a drop of between 6 and 16 percentage points for each;
- However, similar to their overall feelings of thankfulness, those with more formal education say they are thankful for a majority of the items discussed at greater rates than do those with less formal education.
- Although strong majorities today say they are thankful for the health of their family (86%) and their family relationships (86%), more Americans said they were thankful for these things 30 years ago, in 1980 (96% and 95% said so, respectively);
- Less than a quarter of Americans today say they are thankful for the economic situation in the U.S. (23%). This is the lowest number of Americans who say so since the question was first asked in 1980, and a stark contrast to the majorities who said they were thankful for the U.S.’s economic situation between 1983 and 1988;
- More Americans say that they are thankful that it's safe to walk on the streets today (63%) compared to the 50% who said so in 1984.
So What?
Despite many Americans facing financial hardships as a result of the U.S. economy, many say they are more thankful this year, compared to how they have felt previously. Some of the things Americans say they are thankful for are not surprising, such as family and health, but other items mentioned are less expected, such as the two thirds who say so about their work situation (65%) and their own personal economic situation (66%). It may be that through the economic crisis and the emergence of a possible ‘new normal’, Americans have come to be more appreciative of what they have, regardless if it’s less than ideal, or less than it once was.
