Goodness Report, News

7 in 10 Americans Say 2020 Made Them a Better Person – 72% Caring for the Health & Well-Being of Others

May 12, 2021
friends fist bumping during covid pandemic

By Good News Network

According to a new survey, 74% of Americans say 2020 has made them more aware of the needs of others—and more selfless than ever before.

A poll of 2,005 Americans revealed that since March 2020, people are more often embracing the idea of neighborly love. Some examples include:

87% of Americans have donated a portion of their paycheck, even though three in five experienced financial difficulties.

41% have helped a stranger across the street. 38% have gone out of their way to take out their neighbor’s trash, and 31% have walked their neighbor’s dog.

And, for those who live in snowy climates, one-third have shoveled out a neighbor’s car in the past year.

In general, seventy-two percent said they found themselves caring about the health and well-being of others significantly more in the past year.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Eyes of Hope, the charitable arm of VSP Global, aimed to discover how people are dealing with the impacts of the pandemic.

“It’s been incredibly meaningful to see how the challenges of the last year have caused us to care even more for each other,” stated Pat McNeil, a spokesperson for VSP Eyes of Hope.

“This study validates what we’ve been hearing from our employees and charitable partners: people are looking to better the lives of others and their communities because they envision a greater purpose after such a devastating year.”

Ultimately, while 2020 has been a difficult year for many, it’s heartening to hear that the experience has made a large majority a better person overall.

Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/7-in-10-say-2020-made-them-more-selfless/