The Difficult Transition from Military to Civilian Life

Military service is difficult, demanding and dangerous. But returning to civilian life also poses challenges for the men and women who have served in the armed forces, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey of 1,853 veterans. While more than seven-in-ten veterans (72%) report they had an easy time readjusting to civilian life, 27% say re-entry was difficult for them -- a proportion that swells to 44% among veterans who served in the ten years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Why do some veterans have a hard time readjusting to civilian life while others make the transition with little or no difficulty? To answer that question, Pew researchers analyzed the attitudes, experiences and demographic characteristic of veterans to identify the factors that independently predict whether a service member will have an easy or difficult re-entry experience. Using a statistical technique known as logistic regression, the analysis examined the impact on re-entry of 18 demographic and attitudinal variables

One Recession, Two Americas: Those Who Lost Ground Slightly Outnumber Those Who Held Their Own

Analyzes survey data on hardships faced during the recession by demographics, political affiliation, education, and other factors. Compares the job experiences and economic views of those who suffered serious economic hardships and those who did not

Home for the Holidays ... and Every Other Day

Based on a survey, analyzes trends in grown children moving back home, seeking a roommate, or putting off marriage or pregnancy as a result of the recession. Compares trends since 1950 in the share of people living alone by age group and gender

The Public Renders a Split Verdict on Changes in Family Structure

Analyzes views on family and increases in unmarried or gay and lesbian couples and single women raising children, unmarried couples living together, mothers of young children working outside the home, interracial marriages; and women not having children

Who Moves? Who Stays Put? Where's Home?

Analyzes results of a Pew Social & Demographic Trends survey on Americans' geographic mobility, including perceptions of "home," reasons for moving or staying, and economic considerations, by race/ethnicity, education, region, and other demographics

Illegal Immigration Backlash Worries, Divides Latinos

Compares survey responses of Latinos/Hispanics with those of the general population and by nativity on topics such as immigration policy, illegal immigrants' impact on other Latinos/Hispanics, and political solidarity between the native- and foreign-born

For Many Injured Veterans, A Lifetime of Consequences

One out of every ten veterans alive today was seriously injured at some point while serving in the military, and three-quarters of those injuries occurred in combat. For many of these 2.2 million wounded warriors, the physical and emotional consequences of their wounds have endured long after they left the military, according to a Pew research Center survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,853 veterans conducted from July 18 to Sept. 4, 2011.Veterans who suffered major service-related injuries are more than twice as likely as their more fortunate comrades to say they had difficulties readjusting to civilian life. They are almost three times as likely as other veterans to report they have suffered from post-traumatic stress (PTS). And they are less likely in later life to be in overall good health or to hold full-time jobs

Growing Old in America: Expectations vs. Reality

Presents survey results on indicators of old age, "felt age," and the upsides and downsides of growing older, by age, gender, income, and race/ethnicity. Highlights gaps between perceptions of younger adults and the self-reported experiences of seniors

Inside the Middle Class: Bad Times Hit the Good Life

Discusses survey results about the standard of living, sense of progress and mobility, economic behaviors, anxieties and aspirations, and social and political values of the American middle class. Also examines trends in demographic and income data

Compatibility Determination: Considerations for Siting Coastal and Ocean Uses (DRAFT)

This draft report is one of several prepared under contract to the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) to support the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in its development of the integrated coastal ocean management plan mandated by the MA Oceans Act of 2008. Among other requirements, the Oceans Act states that the plan shall “identify appropriate locations and performance standards for activities, uses and facilities allowed under sections 15 and 16 of chapter 132A.” To fulfill this requirement, the EOEEA planning team wanted to utilize compatibility determinations as a tool for considering the appropriate locations for activities, uses and facilities relative to one another. This report was prepared for Massachusetts ocean planning purposes but contains information that may be useful to coastal ocean resource managers in other locations