Lifestyle

Sitcoms, Dramas, News Top the List for TV Watchers

America is overwhelmingly a nation of television watchers, and regularly scheduled comedy and drama shows and the news are at the top of their viewing list.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults say they rarely or never watch television. Fifty-five percent (55%) of Americans watch TV every day or nearly every day, although that's down from a high of 63% in 2010. Twenty-five percent (25%) watch television one or more times each week. Ten percent (10%) watch only occasionally. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 2014 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.

Most Americans Think Current TV Rating System is Effective

Most Americans think there is too much profanity, violence and sexual content on television, but they also think the current TV rating system is effective at warning viewers about it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults think there is too much adult content on television, which has remained generally unchanged since 2010. One-in-three (32%) do not think there is too much profanity, sex and violence on TV, but 11% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 2014 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. Seemethodology.

Americans Say Buying House is Best Investment

Americans continue to say buying a home is a family’s best investment, but they are closely divided over whether now is the opportune time for someone in their area to sell their house.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys finds that 53% of American Adults say that buying a home is a family's best investment. But only 37% say that now is a good time for someone in their area to sell their house, up slightly from the previous two months and consistent with findings for the past year.(To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 14-15, 2014 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.

Americans Prefer a Homemade Cheeseburger

With September 18 marking National Cheeseburger Day, Americans say they enjoy a burger that’s both homemade and with cheese on top. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults prefer cheese on their burgers. One-in-four (24%) do not put cheese on their hamburger, while two percent (2%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 16-17, 2014 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.

Most Give U.S. Hospitals Positive Marks

Despite giving mixed reviews for the U.S. health care system in general, Americans have a generally positive view of hospitals in this country and the level of care they provide.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults rate the level of care in U.S. hospitals today as good or excellent. Just five percent (5%) rate it poorly. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 12-13, 2014 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 Worry Less About Ebola Threat to U.S.

Ebola may be spreading in Africa, but Americans are less concerned about the deadly disease coming to these shores than they were six weeks ago.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of American Adults remain at least somewhat concerned personally about the threat of Ebola disease, but that’s down from 58% at the beginning of August. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly as many (46%) don’t share that concern, up from 38% in the earlier survey. The latest findings include 15% who are Very Concerned about the disease and 11% who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 12-13, 2014 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 Frown on Athletes As Role Models

Despite the highly publicized Ray Rice incident, Americans believe a bit more strongly than they have in the past that athletes set a good example for young people, but most still don't agree.

Just 24% of American Adults think professional athletes are good role models for young children, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that’s up from 15% a year ago  and 17% in 2011. Fifty-seven percent (57%) still disagree, while 19% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 10-11, 2014 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.

Most Say Ray Rice Should Be Banned from Football

It’s the punch seen ‘round the world, and most Americans think Ray Rice should be banned from the NFL for throwing it.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of American Adults believe the former Baltimore Ravens star running back should not be banned from the professional game now that the National Football League has a video of him knocking out his fiancée with a punch. Twice as many (55%) say Rice should be banned from professional football. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 10-11, 2014 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.

Bullying - School Problem or One for Parents to Deal With?

Bullying remains a serious issue for Americans, but now more are saying it's a problem for the schools, not parents, to handle.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Adults think bullying in schools is a bigger problem today than it was in the past, although that's down from 61% four years ago. Seventeen percent (17%) say bullying in schools is less of a problem, up from nine percent (9%) last October. For 26%, the problem is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 8-9, 2014 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.

Kershaw, Trout Favorites for Baseball MVP’s

While Major League Baseball fans remain fairly divided as to which team will win this year’s World Series they are more sure of which players will take home one of the game’s top awards.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of Baseball Fans believe Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw deserves the Most Valuable Player award for the National League. Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen is in a distant second with nine percent (9%), while nearly as many (8%) say Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins deserves the honor. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 664 Baseball Fans was conducted on September 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 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 Legal Authorities Need to Tackle Domestic Violence Harder

The Ray Rice saga has brought domestic violence back into the news in a big way. A sizable number of both women and men say they have been victims of such violence and question whether legal authorities are taking the problem seriously enough. (To see survey question wording, click here.) (Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 8-9, 2014 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.

Most Parents Think Winning More Important Than Just Playing the Game

An overwhelming number of Americans consider sports important in childhood development, but most parents think winning is more important than just participating in team sports. Americans also believe free play is better than organized sports activities.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 84% of American Adults think participation in sports by young people is at least somewhat important to their development, although only 36% say it is Very Important. Fourteen percent (14%) believe sports is not very or Not At All Important to a young person’s development. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 4-5, 2014 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 See Too Much Computer, Not Enough Exercise in Kids' Lives

Too much time in front of the computer makes Johnny a fat boy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 79% of American Adults think children today do not get enough exercise. That's up four points from last November. Only 12% disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 4-5, 2014 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.

World Series 2014: Will It Come Down to Los Angeles?

The winner of this season’s Major League Baseball World Series is anyone’s guess at this point, but one-out-of-four baseball fans think the champs will come out of the Los Angeles area.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Baseball Fans shows that 12% predict the Los Angeles Dodgers will win this year’s World Series, while just as many (12%) think the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will be victorious. The Washington Nationals are right behind with 11%, while last year’s National League champs St. Louis Cardinals come in with 10%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 664 Baseball Fans was conducted on September 2-3, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Fans Back NFL's Domestic Abuse Crackdown

Half of American Football Fans think the National Football League's new crackdown against players guilty of domestic violence is appropriate and hold a positive view of the league's commissioner.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken before Monday's release of a video showing Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice striking his then-fiancée, shows that 49% of Football Fans believe the league's new policy on domestic abuse is about right. Another 29% believe the policy is not harsh enough, while only 18% think it is too harsh. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,029 Football Fans was conducted on September 2-3, 2014 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.

Fans Pick Denver Broncos to Win Super Bowl

Football fans predict that the Denver Broncos, who were clobbered by the Seattle Seahawks in last year's Super Bowl, will win this season's National Football League championship.
 
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 21% of Football Fans say that the Broncos will win this year's Super Bowl, while 17% pick the defending champion Seahawks. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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 The survey of 1,029 Football Fans was conducted on September 2-3, 2014 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 Schools Can't Make All Students Top Achievers

Common Core and other government-driven education efforts set universal excellence as their goal, but Americans overwhelmingly agree that no set of standards can ensure that all students reach the top.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of American Adults believe that any set of education standards can guarantee that all students will achieve excellence. Seventy percent (70%) disagree and say no set of standards can guarantee that. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure.

Adults with children of elementary or second school age are only slightly more optimistic: 18% think a set of education standards can ensure excellence, but 70% in this group disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 31-September 1, 2014 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.

Most Parents Oppose Tying Federal School Funds to Common Core

Support for the new national Common Core education standards has rebounded among parents of school-age children, but they still question whether it will improve academic performance. Most oppose requiring states to adopt the standards in order to receive federal school monies.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults with elementary or secondary school age children now favor requiring that all schools nationwide meet the same Common Core education standards. Forty-six percent (46%) are opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 31-September 1, 2014 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 Like Mowing Their Lawns

Believe it or not, most Americans take pleasure in mowing their lawns.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults own or rent a home for which they are responsible for the upkeep. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on August 27-28, 2014 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.

Is the Internet Killing Public Libraries?

Though a majority of Americans say they’ve used a public library in the past year, the number who believes public libraries will still be relevant in 25 years has dipped considerably from six years ago. The Internet is the research option of choice for most now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults have used a public library in the past year, including 27% who have done so in the past month. Another 19% have used a public library within the last five years, while 20% last did so more than five years ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on August 27-28, 2014 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.