General Lifestyle

Just 31% Work A 40-Hour Week

Nearly-three-out-of-four working Americans now put in a minimum of 40 hours a week on the job, but most still think they have a good work-life balance.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 31% of Employed Americans work 40 hours a week. Forty percent (40%) now work more than 40 hours weekly, including nine percent (9%) who work more than 50 hours a week. This compares to 33% who worked more than 40 hours a week in May. 

Twenty-eight percent (28%) now work fewer than 40 hours a week, with 10% who work fewer than 20 hours weekly. That overall number is down six points from 34% in the previous survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 623 Employed Adults was conducted on December 11-12, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

32% Will Give to Charity in a Friend’s Name As A Gift This Year

More Americans are opting for donations in a friend’s name in lieu of traditional gifts this holiday season. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults are at least somewhat likely to make a charitable donation of some kind this year, including 57% who are Very Likely. This is the highest level of charitable giving measured in surveys since 2009. Just 20% are unlikely to make a donation of some kind, with seven percent (7%) who are Not At All Likely to donate to charity this year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on December 9-10, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

48% Have Started Holiday Gift Shopping, 14% Are Finished

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, and a few more Americans have started - and finished - their holiday shopping.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults now have started their shopping for the holidays, up from 37% two weeks ago.  Forty-nine percent (49%) still have not begun yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

40% Are Responsible for the Care of a Parent

While grown children are staying at home longer, many adults, on the other end of the spectrum, have a parent living with them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Adults say they or someone they know are responsible for the care of at least one parent. Nearly as many (37%) have at least one parent living with them or know someone who does. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 20-21, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology. 

45% Are Not Exchanging Holiday Gifts This Year

Half of adults intend to spend less on gifts this holiday season,  and many are doing so by making plans not to exchange gifts at all.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults have made arrangements with friends or family to not exchange gifts this year. Just as many (46%) have made no such arrangements. Nine percent (9%) more are not sure yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

64% Believe U.S. Children Less Physically Fit Than Kids in Other Countries

An overwhelming majority of adults nationwide believe today’s children are not getting enough exercise, especially in America, and think it's up to their parents to do something about it.

Just 15% of American Adults believe that children today get enough exercise, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-five percent (75%) disagree (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 20-21, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Are Less Likely to Shop at Stores Open on Thanksgiving

A lot more stores are opening on Thanksgiving Day in hopes of getting a bigger share of the Black Friday sales crowd, but a large number of Americans appear turned off by the idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults say they are more likely to shop at a store that opens on Thanksgiving Day to get a jump on Black Friday deals. Forty-four percent (44%) say they are less likely to shop at a store that opens on the holiday. Another 44% says it will have no impact on their shopping plans. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

9% Have Already Finished Their Holiday Shopping

Black Friday is more than a week away, but a sizable number of Americans have already started their holiday gift shopping. A growing number are doing so through online vendors.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 37% of American Adults have started their holiday shopping. That’s up from 32% last year at this time but is more in line with prior years. Sixty-one percent (61%) have not yet begun to shop. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 18-19, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% See More Grown Children Living With Parents As Bad for Economy

Fewer Americans know families who have grown children living at home these days, but most still view this practice as a negative for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 77% of American Adults believe it is more common now for grown children to live with their parents than it was 20 years ago. That’s down from 86% in November 2011. Just nine percent (9%) don’t think this practice is more common, while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 16-17, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology. 

46% Oppose Electronic Cigarette Smoking in Public Areas

While a sizable number of Americans consider electronic cigarettes to be safer than traditional cigarettes, a plurality doesn’t want people smoking them in public areas.

Thirty-one percent (31%) of American Adults believe smoking electronic cigarettes is more safe than smoking traditional cigarettes. But a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% believe the health risk is about the same between the two, and another 32% are not sure which is safer. Just eight percent (8%) believe smoking e-cigarettes is less safe than smoking ordinary cigarettes. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 12-13, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

40% of Americans Prefer to Drink Wine, 34% Beer

When Americans drink alcohol, they prefer wine over any other type of spirit.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Adults say wine is their alcohol of choice. Thirty-four percent (34%) reach for a beer first. Just 20% prefer hard liquor, while two percent (2%) opt for something else. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The national telephone survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 10-11, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

38% Drink Alcohol At Least Once a Week

Social lubricant or relaxing pastime? Most Americans enjoy a good drink every now and then, but they’re divided between drinking for enjoyment or just to socialize.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of American Adults now say they drink alcoholic beverages at least once a week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 16% who say they drink about once a week, 13% who drink several times a week and nine percent (9%) who have a drink every day or nearly every day. That’s generally unchanged from 2010. Eight percent (8%) say they drink several times a month, while 18% drink occasionally. 

Thirty-six percent (36%) say they rarely or never drink alcohol, up from 29% three years ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 10-11, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

25% of Americans Have or Will Contribute Money to Philippines Relief Effort

Following the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines leaving thousands dead and many more displaced, one-in-four Americans is contributing money to the relief effort. But few are very confident that money will actually reach those who need it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults say they have or will contribute money to the Philippines relief effort. Fifty-one percent (51%) don't plan to do so, but another 25% are undecided at this time. The number of Americans pledging financial support for the Philippines is lower than the number who did so following the Haitian earthquake in 2010. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 12-13, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Just 10% Say They Are Smokers

Fewer Americans than ever now say they smoke cigarettes, but fewer also want smoking outlawed completely.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 10% of American Adults say they currently smoke, the lowest in nearly five years of surveying. More than ever (60%) now say they have never smoked, while 30% used to smoke but quit. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on October 31-November 1, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

Americans Say 18 Is Old Enough to Vote or Be in Military, But Not to Smoke

Most Americans think even though someone is old enough to vote or die for their country, they're not mature enough yet to decide whether they want to smoke. 

Only 29% of American Adults favor raising the current voting age from 18 to 21, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-four percent (64%) oppose raising the legal age to vote. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on October 31-November 1, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

50% Think Feds Likely to Have Looked at Internet Activity of Someone in Their Family

Americans recognize there is no way to guarantee the privacy of their Internet searches, and one-out-of-two now think it's likely the government has trolled their Internet activity or that of someone in their family. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Americans who use the Internet at least occasionally consider their Internet communications at least somewhat private now, with 21% who feel they are Very Private. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think their Internet activity is not private, with eight percent (8%) who say it is Not At All Private. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 2-3, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

36% Think There's Still A Need for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, but nearly half of Americans no longer think it’s necessary.

For the most part, American adults (85%) know they will move their clocks an hour backward this weekend to signify the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST). Eleven percent (11%) think they will move their clocks forward, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

37% Say Zombies Would Do Better Job Than Federal Gov't, 37% Opt for Feds

It’s not exactly a vote of confidence in the powers that be: A sizable number of Americans think the undead would do a better job than the brain dead in Washington, D.C. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults believe the federal government would do a better job than zombies running the country today. But the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Americans don’t share that view, with just as many (37%) who feel zombies would do a better job running the country and another 26% who can’t decide between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

9% Put Their Pet Ahead of Family and Friends

Most people put their family and friends before their pet, but for one-in-10, their pet comes first.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of American pet owners say their family and friends still come first. However, nine percent (9%) say their pet comes first. That’s generally unchanged from January 2012. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

41% Think Legal System Worries Too Much About Church-State Separation

Most Americans say religion is important to their everyday life, and a plurality thinks the country’s legal system is too worried about the separation of church and state. 

Seventy-three percent (73%) of American Adults say their religious faith is at least somewhat important in their daily life, including 49% who say it’s Very Important. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that one-in-four (25%) do not consider religion important in their daily life, with 13% who say it’s Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 21-22, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.