Half of Americans think society doesn't place enough importance on working, but views vary by age, political party % of U.S. adults enough who say society about generally right places too of importance enough on working and having a job
Overall, half of Americans say that society does not place enough importance on working and having a job; 19% say that society places too much importance on work, while the remaining 31% think that balance is just about right. However, Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are about twice as likely as Democrats and Democratic leaners to say that society doesn’t place enough importance on working (69% vs. 35%).
There is also a substantial age gap in how Americans view work. Two-thirds (67%) of U.S. adults ages 65 and older – and 55% of those ages 50 to 64 – think that society does not place enough importance on working. That share falls to just 36% among those 18 to 29.
Half of Americans think society doesn't  | place enough importance on working,  | but views vary by age, political party  | % of U.S. adults enough who say society about generally right places too  | much not enough orjust about having the right amount  | of importance enough on working and having a job  | Too much Not enough Justa bout cright  | U.S ad ults  | 19  | 50  | 31  | 18-29  | 36  | 37  | 27  | 30-49  | 22  | 45  | 32  | 50-64 15  | 55  | 30  | 65+ 8  | 67  | 25  | Rep/lean Rep 10  | 69  | 21  | Dem/lean Dem  | 24  | 35  | 40  | Note: Respondents who did poot 1-15 give an 2017 answerare notshown.  | Source: Survey conducted May 1-15 give 2017  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 