Where Everyone Knows Your Name
Six in 10 Americans (59%) say they know the names of many people who live near them. More than a third (37%) disagree, and 4% aren’t sure.
Those with a bachelor’s degree or more (65%) are more likely than those who have a high school diploma or less (55%) to know those in their neighborhood by name. Among religious groups, the unaffiliated are most likely to disagree (44%).
Christians who attend church at least monthly (71%) are more likely than those who attend less frequently (51%) to say they know the names of their neighbors. American adults who hold evangelical beliefs (67%) are also more likely than those without such beliefs (57%) to say they know the people who live near them by name.
“Remembering the names of people you meet is the first sign that you care about them,” said McConnell. “For Christians, caring can also include praying for those individuals by name and for their relationship with God.”
Time to Talk
The conversations may have taken place through masks or six feet apart, but most U.S. adults are seeking chances to have a conversation with their neighbors.
Almost 3 in 5 Americans (57%) say they look for opportunities to talk with the people who live around them. Four in 10 disagree (39%), and 3% aren’t sure.
Again, men (65%) are more likely than women (50%) to seek out such moments of conversation. Those 65 and older (69%) are the age range most likely to agree.
Those with a bachelor’s degree (66%) or a graduate degree (64%) are more likely than those with a high school diploma or less (51%) to look for opportunities to talk with neighbors.
The religiously unaffiliated are the most likely to want to stick to themselves, as 49% disagree they are seeking such community conversations.
Christians who attend church at least monthly (71%) are more likely than those who attend less frequently (51%) to be actively looking to talk to those who live around them. Those with evangelical beliefs (69%) are also more likely than those without such beliefs (54%) to be actively wanting those times of discussion.
“Those with lower trust and fewer connections in the community are also the groups less likely to want to seek out conversations with others. This is true of the religiously unaffiliated and those with a lower socioeconomic level,” said McConnell.
“Despite a greater interest in talking with neighbors among Christians who frequently attend church, a Lifeway Research study before COVID revealed that these conversations do not always include faith. In fact, 55% of Protestant churchgoers had not shared with anyone how to become a Christian in the previous six months.”
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This article originally appeared here, and it used by permission.
