This Thanksgiving Just One-third of Americans Have More to be Thankful For Than a Few Years Ago

NEW YORK, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 2011 has proven to be a difficult year for the U.S. and many Americans—the economy continues to be shaky, unemployment remains high, people are unhappy with their political leaders, and many have been affected by a series of damaging natural disasters.  Considering the circumstances it may not be surprising that only a third of U.S. adults say that they will have more to be thankful for this Thanksgiving than they had a few years ago (32%).  Over two in five say they will have about as much to be thankful for this year as they had a few years ago (45%), which is slightly more than said so last year (41%).  One in five say they will have less to be thankful for (18%) and 5% are not sure.  

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These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,463 adults surveyed online between October 10 and 17, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

When asked to think about their overall feelings this Thanksgiving compared to a few years ago many Americans don't seem particularly grateful, yet when asked about specific items, the image displays differently:

• Over five in six Americans say they will feel thankful this Thanksgiving both for the health of their family (85%) and because of their family relationships (85%);
• Three quarters say they will feel thankful because technology makes it easy to stay in touch with family and friends (74%) and two thirds say they are thankful that good technology is easily accessible (63%).
• While unemployment and underemployment remain prevalent, Americans seem thankful for their situation, even if it may not be ideal as 63% say they feel thankful for their own personal economic situation and a similar number say so for their work situation (61%).
• A majority of Americans also note that they are thankful it is safe to walk on the streets (56%).
• An item that Americans are divided about is the way people treat each other – 36% say they feel thankful for this while 40% do not;
• And, the one item on the list that a majority of Americans say they do not feel thankful for is, predictably, the economic situation in the U.S., which 67% say they do not feel thankful for, 14% feel thankful for and 19% are not sure.

So What?

It is interesting to note that older Americans feel significantly more thankful than those younger about a number of items, including those regarding family, health, relationships, work and finances.  It's possible that those older have had more life experience, both good and bad, and therefore have more perspective on feeling thankful for what they have, since they understand things could always be worse.  All Americans, regardless of age, should take time this Thanksgiving holiday, between the food and festivities, to think about their life and feel thankful for what they have and have accomplished—aspiring for more or wishing for better is not mutually exclusive with being thankful for the good things you have.

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between October 10 and 17, 2011 among 2,463 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

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The Harris Poll® #120, November 17, 2011
By Samantha Braverman, Sr. Project Researcher, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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SOURCE Harris Interactive