{"id":90559,"date":"2026-07-03T08:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/pew-research-america-looks-very-different-now-than-it-did-50-years-ago\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T08:00:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T12:00:47","slug":"pew-research-america-looks-very-different-now-than-it-did-50-years-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/pew-research-america-looks-very-different-now-than-it-did-50-years-ago\/","title":{"rendered":"Pew Research: America Looks Very Different Now Than It Did 50 Years Ago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

With America on the verge of celebrating its 250th birthday, the Pew Research Center has published a comprehensive look at how life in the United States has transformed since the country marked its 200th anniversary back in 1976.<\/p>

One of the most striking findings involves marriage. Around the time of the Bicentennial, roughly 70% of American adults were married. That number has fallen dramatically \u2014 today, only about half of adults are married.<\/p>

The study also highlights a significant decline in birth rates, with a growing number of women choosing not to have children at all. Together, these trends paint a picture of a nation whose family structure looks very different than it did just five decades ago.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, a new study reveals dramatic shifts in how Americans live compared to 1976. Marriage rates have dropped sharply, and fewer women are having children than ever before. The Pew Research Center released the sweeping findings on the eve of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":90558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[831],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-90559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783080046801.png?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-nyD","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45590,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/major-research-firm-examines-how-america-has-transformed-in-past-50-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":90559,"position":0},"title":"Major Research Firm Examines How America Has Transformed in Past 50 Years","author":"Admin","date":"April 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the Pew Research Center has released comprehensive data showing how the nation has evolved since the bicentennial celebration five decades ago. The study reveals significant shifts in American family structures and lifestyle patterns.","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775040691710.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775040691710.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775040691710.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775040691710.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775040691710.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48322,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/us-birth-rates-drop-significantly-over-past-50-years-study-shows\/","url_meta":{"origin":90559,"position":1},"title":"US Birth Rates Drop Significantly Over Past 50 Years, Study Shows","author":"Admin","date":"April 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"New research examining America's changes since 1976 reveals a notable decline in family size. The average number of children born to American women has decreased from three to two over the past five decades.","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775563573553.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775563573553.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775563573553.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775563573553.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775563573553.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":87799,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/protesters-offer-rival-vision-as-america-marks-250th-birthday\/","url_meta":{"origin":90559,"position":2},"title":"Protesters Offer Rival Vision as America Marks 250th Birthday","author":"Admin","date":"June 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, demonstrators gathered in cities nationwide to present an alternative message to the Trump administration's official Freedom 250 celebrations. A reporter visited a rally near the White House to hear from those making their case. The protests signal a divided national\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782595848768.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":36849,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-survey-most-americans-view-their-fellow-citizens-as-morally-flawed\/","url_meta":{"origin":90559,"position":3},"title":"New Survey: Most Americans View Their Fellow Citizens as Morally Flawed","author":"Admin","date":"March 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A recent Pew Research Center study reveals that more than half of American adults hold negative moral views about their countrymen. The United States leads all nations surveyed in this pessimistic outlook, with 53% expressing unfavorable opinions.","rel":"","context":"In "U.S. News"","block_context":{"text":"U.S. News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/us-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773476469651.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773476469651.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773476469651.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773476469651.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773476469651.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":88816,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/trumps-freedom-trucks-tour-nation-ahead-of-americas-250th-birthday\/","url_meta":{"origin":90559,"position":4},"title":"Trump’s ‘Freedom Trucks’ Tour Nation Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday","author":"Admin","date":"June 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Six 'Freedom Trucks' commissioned by the Trump administration are traveling across all 50 states to mark America's 250th anniversary, featuring AI-generated historical figures and religious messaging. The mobile museum tour has drawn both praise and controversy, with critics raising concerns about the use of taxpayer money and the religious framing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Politics"","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782818272895.jpg?fit=450%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":67829,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/religious-event-on-national-mall-draws-criticism-over-church-state-separation\/","url_meta":{"origin":90559,"position":5},"title":"Religious Event on National Mall Draws Criticism Over Church-State Separation","author":"Admin","date":"May 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A government-backed religious celebration in Washington D.C. featuring mostly conservative Christian speakers is facing criticism for blurring the lines between church and state. Critics say the nine-hour prayer event doesn't represent America's diverse religious landscape and violates constitutional principles.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779016903653.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779016903653.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779016903653.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779016903653.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1779016903653.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=90559"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/90559\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/90558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=90559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=90559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=90559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}