The opinion polls tell us much about our voting preferences, but they reveal even more about the emotional character of the nation.
Men are doing more of this...... but a lot less of this
Are we a happy crew?
Not especially. A mere 16% of Britons claim to be “very happy” with life, down from 19% in 2008. But then again, only 18% of us say we’re “not very happy” (and 2% “not happy at all”). In typically British fashion, most of us (63%) just say we’re “rather happy” (Ipsos Mori/Times). Many in the younger generation are pretty upbeat, however: 41% of 18 to 30-year-olds say they “are always positive and make the best out of every situation” (Coke Zero/Telegraph). But 9% of those aged between 16 and 25 say “they’ve nothing to live for”, a figure that rises to 21% among the ones who’ve been unemployed for six months or more (Princes Trust/Daily Mail).
What makes the rest of us unhappy?
A lack of order, for one thing. 23% of British adults say they’re stressed by clutter in their homes; and many more (52%) say unread books are their biggest problem (NeedaProperty/Telegraph). We also live in fear of terrorist attack: 74% think one is “likely” in Britain soon, and one in ten fear for family and friends (YouGov/Times). Many in the older generation are uncertain about their future: almost a third of those working after the age of 65 don’t know when they’ll be able to retire. A third of workers in mainland Britain (12 million people) have no private pension (ICM/Telegraph). And of course a lot of people worry about immigration: 77% want immigration levels to be reduced, and 56% want them cut by a lot (NatCen Social Research/Independent).
So are we an illiberal nation?
Not at all. We’re quite sensitive on race issues: 78% of the public, and 76% of white Britons, think the media’s portrayal of ethnic minorities encourages discrimination (Runnymede/Independent). The young are notably relaxed on the subject: 74% of 17 to 21-year-olds are comfortable with Britain being more ethnically diverse than it was 20 years ago (compared to just 32% of over-60s.(YouGov/Independent). We’re quite liberal with respect to sexual diversity, too: 69% of us are in favour of gay marriage, and that includes most Tory supporters (61%) and even UKIP supporters (54%) (Ipsos Mori/Independent). In fact, we’re quite relaxed about sex generally: 44% of parents would let their daughters have sex at home by the time they’re 18 – 49% their sons (YouGov/Sunday Times).
How do we get on with our children?
We’re quite supportive. 66% of parents say they help with their homework and 16% say they do all of it (Bett/Telegraph). And we don’t like to acknowledge their imperfections: 77% of parents of overweight children refuse to accept their child is fat (Imperial College London/Times). We let them have digital gadgets: 88% of 12 to 14-year-olds and 63% of nine to 11-year-olds own a mobile or other electronic device. And during family mealtimes 36% of children (and 33% of adults) play with them (Halifax/Times). As they get older, they grow ever more dependent on them. 77% of 14 and 15-year-olds take a phone or computer to bed. 49% of that age group admits to being addicted to the internet (Tablets for Schools/Guardian).
Does this make us isolated?
Doesn’t seem to. 81% of women and 73% of men say they have “good” or “very good” friendships, although 19% of adults do admit that in the two weeks prior to being asked the question they had never or rarely felt loved (Relate/Daily Mail). But just 58% of British people feel connected to the people in their area – less than in any other EU country except Germany (ONS/Times). Our interest in public affairs also seems to be on the wane. 46% of 16 to 24-year-olds say they’ve no interest at all in politics, whereas only 21% of people aged 65 or over say that (Understanding Society/BBC News online).
How have we changed over the years?
We’re a lot less Christian. Only 46% of children aged between eight and 15 had a story from the Bible read to them in the course of the year; whereas when they were little, 86% of their parents were read at least one Bible story (YouGov/Telegraph). Today, only 20% of us plan to attend church over Christmas (YouGov/Sunday Times). We’re a lot less pastoral in a literal sense, too: the countryside is becoming a foreign country. 43% of primary school children have never visited a farm – and one in 25 think farmers “grow” mud (Kelloggs/Daily Mail). We have embraced tattoos – more middle-class Britons (28%) have at least one than do working-class Britons (27%) (Harris Interactive/Daily Mail); but we seem to be giving up on marriage. A mere 1.7% of men under 25 have tied the knot, whereas in the 1950s half of all British men were married by that age (Daily Mail). The biggest change, however, is not with husbands but fathers. In 1960, 10% of them were present at the birth of their child; today a remarkable 98% are present (BPAS/Times).
Statistics of the year
From the 13th to the 18th century, 70% of Englishmen were called Robert, John, Thomas, Richard or William. - Daily Mail
22 million people visit the theatre in London every year – almost twice the number of people who attend a Premier League match. - The Daily Telegraph
There are now 104 billionaires in the UK, with a combined wealth of more than £301bn – more per capita than in any other country. - The Sunday Times
The UK exports more to Ireland than it does to China, India, Russia and Brazil put together. - The Independent
More than one in ten of the world’s heads of state have studied at a British school or university. - The Times
There are now nearly as many Chinese students on full-time postgraduate courses at English universities as British students. 26% of all postgraduates are from the UK; 23% are Chinese. - The Guardian
British men are now spending £13bn a year collectively on fashion and accessories, only 10% less than women. 70% say they enjoy shopping for clothes. - HPI survey for Westfield/The Sunday Times
A quarter of British people over the age of 50 have adult children living at home. - The Daily Telegraph
41% of London homes that sold for more than £1m last year were bought by foreign investors. - The Daily Telegraph
The average British dog owner walks their pet for 538 miles a year – as far as from London to Aberdeen. - The Times
