Looking back, Americans feel more positive than negative about society in 1946
Core finding
Americans' backward look at society in 1946 tilts favorable, with 43% seeing that era positively and 34% negatively, according to a Verasight survey conducted May 11, 2026. The favorable share includes just 4% who call it very good, the unfavorable 5% who call it very bad.
Nearly a quarter come down on neither side (23%).
Topline distribution
Looking back, Americans feel more positive than negative about society in 1946.
All things considered, society in 1946 was...
n = 1,000 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 11, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | society |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
All things considered, society in 1946 was...
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.