US looking forward to a better decade
After a decade marred by 9/11 and financial crisis, people are optimistic about the future
Residents of the US are hoping that 2010 will be the start of a better decade after a poll highlighted that Americans felt more negatively about the noughties than any other period in the past half century.
A survey by the Pew Research Center highlighted that 50% of people questioned said they had a largely negative view of the past decade, compared to 27% who felt positive.
In comparison, when asked about the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, people were found to have largely positive feelings.
However, the study also highlighted that many Americans are positive about the coming 10 years, with 59% of those questioned saying the 2010s will be better than the noughties.
People aged between 18 and 19 are the most optimistic, followed by those aged over 65 and individuals between 30 and 49.
Factors driving positive change in the next decade are thought to be advances in technology such as handheld communications devices and the internet, in addition to greater diversity and acceptance in the US.
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When asked what incidents from the past 10 years stand out in their minds, the majority of people (53%) said the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Barack Obama's election was one of the few positive incidents selected as a defining memory of the decade, chosen by 16% of people. The financial crisis was selected by 12% of respondents and the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina were picked out by 5% and 3% respectively.
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