General Lifestyle

Washington, Lincoln More Popular Than Their Holiday

Americans continue to have an overwhelmingly favorable opinion of Abraham Lincoln but are strongly opposed to celebrating his February 12 birthday as a separate holiday. They’re satisfied instead to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday along with George Washington’s on Presidents’ Day today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the president known as the Great Emancipator, including 60% with a Very Favorable view of him. Just 10% hold a somewhat unfavorable or Very Unfavorable regard for the 16th U.S. president who served during the U.S. Civil War. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 2012 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.

68% Likely To Buy Girl Scout Cookies This Year

For some adults, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Not Christmas, but the arrival of Girl Scout cookies.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults are at least somewhat likely to buy Girl Scout cookies this year, including 47% who are Very Likely to do so. That’s up slightly from last year. Thirty-one percent (31%) are not planning on buying any cookies, including 11% who are Not at All Likely to buy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 2012 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 Strongly Support Scouting But Say It's Tough To Get Kids Involved

Most Americans think the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are good for young people but say it's harder to get them involved in scouting these days. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 77% say scouting is good for the young.  Only eight percent (8%) disagree, and 15% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 9-10, 2012 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.

57% Believe Violence in Movies Leads to Violence in Society

Most adults continue to feel that violence in movies is reflected in real life and believe movies have a negative impact on society.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults think violent movies lead to more violence in society, although that's down five points from 62% a year ago. Just 26% do not believe violent movies encourage violence in real life, but 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2012 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.

67% Say Too Hard To Get Rid of Bad Teachers

Most Americans continue to view teachers’ unions negatively and believe even more strongly that it's too hard to get rid of bad teachers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 66% feel teachers’ unions are more interested in protecting their member’s jobs than they are in the quality of education. Just 20% feel the quality of education is paramount to the union. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2012 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.

51% Support More Funding For New Math and Science Teachers

Just over half of Americans nationwide like President Obama’s proposal to boost government funding to increase the number and quality of math and science teachers, but they also agree that teaching now is not a desirable profession to go into.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 51% think the federal government should spend more on training to improve the teaching of math and science nationwide. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree, while another 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 7-8, 2012 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.

69% Say Domestic Animals Are Treated Well In The U.S.

In an era where animal videos on YouTube get just as many views as a speech by the president, most American pet owners say domestic animals in this country are treated well.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. pet owners finds that 69% say, generally speaking, most domestic animals are well-treated here.   Seventeen percent (17%) disagree, and another 14% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 640 Pet Owners was conducted on January 26-27, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% of Pet Owners Have A Dog, 24% A Cat

Animal lovers can be quite passionate in the age-old debate of cats versus dogs, but when it comes to which animal is a more popular house pet in America, dogs come out way ahead. Whether a cat person or a dog person, though, an overwhelming number of pet owners talk to their pet and consider it a joy to own.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 64% of American Adults own a pet, while 34% do not. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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66% Believe Nutritional Information On Menus To Be Accurate

Increasing numbers of restaurants around the country are disclosing nutritional information on their menus, and most Americans think that information is fairly accurate.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the accuracy of nutritional information currently provided on menus by some restaurants.  But that figure includes just 16% who are Very Confident.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not confident the information is accurate, including six percent (6%) who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on January 22-23, 2012 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.

75% Say It's Better for Children to Grow Up In Two-Parent Home

Adults nationwide overwhelmingly believe that it is important for children to grow up in a home with both parents and feel those children have an advantage over those who grow up in a single-parent home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 95% say it is at least somewhat important for children to grow up in a home with both parents. This finding includes 73% who see this as Very Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 20-21, 2012 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% Eating Out Less Often Than They Were Six Months Ago

While Americans seem to be showing a bit more confidence in the economy, their eating habits haven't changed much.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults are dining out less often than they were six months ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on January 22-23, 2012 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.

78% Rate Marriage As Important to U.S. Society

Americans believe overwhelmingly in the importance of marriage, and a sizable number continue to feel it’s too easy to get a divorce in this country.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of American Adults rate the institution of marriage as at least somewhat important to U.S. society, and that includes 60% who consider it Very Important. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% don’t believe marriage is a very important institution, with three percent (3%) 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 January 20-21, 2012 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.  Some survey questions were asked of married adults who are not separated.  The margin of sampling error on those questions is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

33% Say Race Relations in America Getting Better, 32% Worse

As Americans celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, their perceptions of race relations in the United States have grown a bit more negative.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 33% now believe race relations in America today are getting better, while 32% say they are getting worse. Twenty-nine percent (29%) say race relations are staying about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

54% See Current TV Ratings System As Effective

A majority of Americans nationwide believe the current television ratings system does a satisfactory job of warning viewers of possible objectionable content, and half say they’re less likely to watch a program after such a warning.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 54% believe the current TV rating system is an effective way to warn viewers about objectionable content, but 28% disagree. Another 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on January 10-11, 2012 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% Favor FCC Regulation of TV and Radio

More Americans than ever believe the Federal Communications Commission should be allowed to regulate objectionable content on television and radio, as the U.S. Supreme Court debates whether the government should retain that power.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 64% support the FCC regulating profanity, violence and sexual content on TV and radio. Twenty-four percent (24%) do not think the FCC should have this power, while another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on January 10-11, 2012 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.

68% Oppose Law Requiring High School Students to Apply to College

Members of the Washington, D.C. City Council are proposing a law that would make all high school students take college entrance exams and apply to at least one post-secondary school as requirements for graduation. But most Americans don't like the proposals.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 24% of Adults favor a law in their community that would require all high school students to apply to at least one college as a requirement for graduation. Sixty-eight percent (68%) oppose such a law.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 2012 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.

66% Say Military Service Is Good For Young People

Most Americans agree that military service is good for the young but also acknowledge that it's a more stressful line of work than most other jobs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults believe serving in the military service is good for young people, Just 17% disagree, while another 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 30, 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.

38% Say Government Should Pay for College for Those Who Can't Afford It

Most Americans still believe any good student can find a way to get into college, and if a student is accepted at a college but can't afford it, a sizable number of adults think the government should pay for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults finds that 60% of adults believe that just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so in America today.  That’s up from 54% in early May 2009.   Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t believe this to be true, while 11% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 2012 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.

One-in-Four Americans Prefers Reading on Electronic Device

The number of Americans that prefers to read a book on an electronic reading device has tripled from earlier this year, but most still prefer a traditional book.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 27% have now used a Kindle or a similar electronic book-reading device.

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on December 15-16, 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.

36% Support Complete Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving

Last week the National Transportation Safety Board called for a federal ban on all cellular phone use while driving, including hands-free devices.  More than one-third of Americans favor such a ban, but most think hands-free devices should still be allowed.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 36% believe there should be a complete ban on cell phone use by drivers. Sixty-one percent (61%) believe drivers should be allowed to use hands-free devices.