News Majority of Americans Admit to ‘Self-Silencing’ on Hot-Button Issues, Survey Finds

By Free Republic | Created at 2024-09-25 15:44:06 | Updated at 2024-10-02 04:36:39 6 days ago

News Majority of Americans Admit to ‘Self-Silencing’ on Hot-Button Issues, Survey Finds
The Daily Signal ^ | 25 Sept 2024 | Rebeka Zeljko

Posted on 09/25/2024 8:35:20 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!

Nearly two-thirds of Americans conceal their political opinions on contentious issues in public, according to a new Populace Research/YouGov survey.

Most Americans, 58%, said they cannot express their private opinions publicly, and 61% admit to “self-silencing” their political views, according to the survey. At the same time, Americans publicly claim to have higher trust in our institutions than they do in private.

Only 36% of Democrats publicly said that they trust the government to tell the truth, but only 5% agreed with the statement in private, according to the survey. Similarly, 42% of Democrats publicly report that they trust the media to tell the truth, while just 9% reiterated this belief in private.

Skepticism is even more apparent among Republicans, with 14% publicly saying they trust the government to tell the truth while just 2% hold this belief privately, according to the study. At the same time, just 16% of Republicans publicly trust the media to tell the truth, while just 3% agreed with the statement in private.

Just 37% of Americans publicly believe that we live in a mostly fair society, while just 7% privately agree with the sentiment, according to the survey.

While polarization is at the forefront of many political conversations, the study reveals Americans privately agree on many issues.

The vast majority of Americans, 90%, are privately on the “same side” of roughly two-thirds of political issues ranging from abortion to school choice and legal immigration, according to the survey.

When it comes to defunding the police, 28% of Gen Z and 27% of Democrats publicly supported the movement, according to the survey. However, only 2% of Gen Z and 3% of Democrats privately support the same movement, which parallels the 1% support among Baby Boomers and Republicans.

The Populace Research/YouGov study surveyed 19,879 respondents from May 16 to June 24.

TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: dissent; freespeech; silentmajority; woke

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Thank you very much and God bless you.

This is very telling. The Silent Majority still exists.

This is why Trump under polls.

1/3rd of all Americans say they fear losing their jobs/livelihood if the speak their minds politically.

As long as voting remains private, they'll vote their own interests, and not those of the Left-Wing culture and media celebrities.

To: Alas Babylon!

I admit that I’m reluctant to voice an opinion in this social climate. These democrats get violent and they’re up in your face about it. I think it’s more wise to keep silent than to try to bicker with those donkeys.

2 posted on 09/25/2024 8:37:39 AM PDT by Samurai_Jack (This is not about hypocrisy, this is about hierarchy!)

To: Samurai_Jack

That just shows demonrats are nothing but spoiled brats and bullies.

3 posted on 09/25/2024 8:39:56 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)

To: All

Comment deleted.

4 posted on 09/25/2024 8:41:17 AM PDT by BipolarBob (You may call me blind, deaf and dumb but I'm a Pinball Wizard.)

To: Samurai_Jack

This is why Trump will win. 61% means polls=BS.

5 posted on 09/25/2024 8:41:46 AM PDT by Alas Babylon! (Repeal the Patriot Act; Abolish the DHS; reform FBI top to bottom!)

To: BipolarBob

6 posted on 09/25/2024 8:42:11 AM PDT by vpintheak (Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. )

To: Alas Babylon!

The history of humanity is the battle between 99% of the people who are busy providing for their families against psychopaths who want all the money in the world and total control over everyone.

7 posted on 09/25/2024 8:42:22 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer” )

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