Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and friendship. It’s also the perfect opportunity to look at NCI data regarding relationships and dating. The following data comes from the 2011-2012 Consumer Survey.
The following table demonstrates the percentage of NCI respondents who have friends.
|
Has Friends? |
Frequency |
Percentage of total |
|
No, does not have friends |
700 |
8% |
|
Yes, all friends are staff or family, or cannot determine |
1786 |
22% |
|
Yes, has friends who are not staff or family |
5892 |
70% |
|
Total |
8378 |
100% |
The following table demonstrates the percentage of respondents who have a best friend.
|
Has a Best Friend? |
Frequency |
Percentage of total |
|
No |
1973 |
25% |
|
Yes |
6081 |
75 % |
|
Total |
8054 |
100% |
The vast majority of respondents state that they have friends, and many say that they also have a best friend. However, one-quarter (25%) report that they do not have a best friend.
The following table represents only those respondents who said that they DO NOT have friends. Fifty-nine percent of those who do not have friends do not often feel lonely. However, 41% of respondents who state that they do not have friends sometimes or often feel lonely.
|
Ever feel lonely? (only respondents who stated that they do not have friends) |
Frequency |
Percentage of total |
|
No, not often (less than half the time) |
372 |
59% |
|
Sometimes (about half the time) |
155 |
24% |
|
Yes, often feels lonely (more than half the time) |
105 |
17% |
|
Total |
632 |
100% |
The following table demonstrates whether the respondent can date if he/she wants to. Almost 20% of respondents cannot date if they want to.
|
Can you date? |
Frequency |
Percentage of total |
|
No |
1094 |
17% |
|
Yes, but there are some restrictions/rules about dating |
1133 |
18% |
|
Yes, can date or is married/living with partner |
4049 |
65% |
|
Total |
6276 |
100% |
Valentine’s day is a good time to think about friendship and relationships. Everyone deserves camaraderie if they want it.
Please note: The 2011-12 data reports will be released and placed on the NCI website this Spring. For more in depth analysis of previous year’s NCI consumer survey data, please see http://www.nationalcoreindicators.org.