This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. To understand ways in which the public has changed as a result of those events, the AARP Bulletin commissioned a nationwide survey.
Key findings include:
- Half (51%) of adults think 9/11 changed the country for the worse. Few (14%) think it did not change the country at all while just over a quarter (28%) think it changed the country for the better.
- More than seven in ten adults say 9/11 had the following effects: Made them appreciate their friends and/or family more (77%); increased their awareness of events overseas (73%); increased their appreciation of local police and/or firefighters (72%).
- Four to six in ten adults say 9/11 had the following effects: Increased their patriotism (61%); made them more concerned about their personal safety (48%); made them more suspicious of others (46%); increased their faith (44%).
- Two to three in ten adults say 9/11 had the following effects: Prompted them to create an emergency plan and/or disaster supplies kit (30%); prompted them to volunteer (29%); made them less likely to travel by air (26%); led them or someone they know to join the military (26%).
Telephone interviews were conducted for AARP by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) July 20-24, 2011, among a nationally representative sample of 1,003 adults age 18 years and older. For additional information, contact Colette Thayer at email@example.com.