Lifestyle

63% Think Kids Should be Allowed to Wear Halloween Costumes, Bring Candy to School

Let them eat cake - or candy, to be more precise. Some public schools no longer permit students to wear Halloween costumes or bring Halloween candy to school, but 63% of American Adults think both should be allowed. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% do not think students should be allowed to do either. Ten percent (10%) are not sure whether costumes should be allowed, and 11% are not sure if kids should be able to bring in candy. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 27-28, 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.

11% Have Health Insurance for Their Pets

As the country debates whether every American should be required to have health insurance, 11% of pet owners in the United States say they have health insurance for their pets, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That hasn't changed since January 2012.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of American Adults say they own a pet. (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.

52% Think Public Schools Need More Religion

Most Americans feel there is not enough religion in the public schools and favor prayer in those schools.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 11% of American Adults think there is too much religion in the public schools today. Fifty-two percent (52%) say there’s not enough religion in the schools, while 29% view the current level as about right. (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.

45% Are Likely to Buy From Consignment Stores

Just under half of Americans are likely to shop at consignment stores, and nearly a third say they are more likely to do so in recent years because of the poor economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults say they are at least somewhat likely to buy things from a consignment store, including 20% who are Very Likely to do so. Fifty-two percent (52%) are unlikely to shop at these stories, with 15% who say it's Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 19-20, 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.

66% Think High School Graduates Lack Skills for College or Job

Voters continue to believe strongly that high school graduates lack the necessary skills to enter college or the workforce.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that most high school graduates are unprepared for college. Only 18% disagree, while 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 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.

47% Go to Work If They're Sick

Consider it a classic example of "do as I say, not as I do." Americans strongly believe it’s best to stay home from work if you’re sick, but few follow their own advice.

Only 16% of American Adults believe someone who is sick should go to work anyway, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But three times as many (47%) say they generally go to work when they are sick. 

Seventy-six percent (76%) believe a person should stay home from work until he or she gets better, but just 44% say that's what they personally do. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 19-20, 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.

26% Favor Complete Cell Phone Ban Behind the Wheel

Fewer adults than ever think there should be a complete ban on cell phone use while driving because most think drivers should be able to use hands-free devices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of American Adults still support a complete ban on cell phone use while driving, but that's down from 36% in 2011 and 38% in 2009. Sixty-nine percent (69%) think drivers should be allowed to use hands-free devices, the highest finding in surveys to date. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 17-18, 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% Think 16 Is Too Young to Drive

Most adults think someone should be older than 16 before they are eligible for a driver's license. Most also favor annual driving tests once someone reaches the age of 75. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that four percent (4%) think someone should be allowed to get a driver’s license at age 15, while 38% feel 16 is the appropriate age. But 56% believe the eligibility age should be higher, with 20% who say 17, 32% who favor 18 and four percent (4%) who prefer 21. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 17-18, 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.

26% Expect a Cure for Cancer In the Next 10 Years

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and only one-in-four adults think a cure is right around the corner. Over half have contributed to the fight. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of American Adults think we will find a cure for cancer within the next 10 years. Forty percent (40%) do not expect a cancer cure that soon. But a sizable 34% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 15-16, 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.

77% Think Americans Are Getting Ruder

How rude! Most Americans think their fellow citizens are becoming ruder, and half say they have even confronted someone over their behavior.

Just 10% of American Adults believe those around them are becoming kinder and gentler. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% think their fellow Americans are becoming ruder and less civilized. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 11-12, 2013 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.

53% Think School Bullying A Bigger Problem Than in the Past

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and most Americans still think bullying in schools is a bigger problem than it was in the past.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults say bullying in schools is a bigger problem today, down from 61% three years ago. Just nine percent (9%) say bullying in schools is less of a problem today, while 32% think it’s about as much of a problem as before. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 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.

58% Think America Should Still Honor Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus is widely regarded as the explorer who discovered America, immortalized for elementary school students in the rhyme, “In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” That line seems to have stuck with adults since most think America should still honor Columbus with a national holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults think we should still celebrate Columbus Day which officially falls today. One-in-four adults (26%) disagree, and 16% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 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.

34% Would Rather Win A Nobel Than A Pulitzer, Oscar, Emmy or Grammy

Most Americans still think politics play a part in deciding the winners of Nobel Prizes, but one-in-three would rather win one than any other major award. Still, most wouldn’t jump to read a book by a Nobel Prize winner.

Just 20% of American Adults believe politics does not play a part in the awarding of Nobel Prizes, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone poll. Fifty-one percent (51%) disagree and thinks politics is a behind-the-scenes factor. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 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. 

52% Plan on Getting Flu Shot This Year

Flu season is here again, and just over half of Americans plan on taking preventative measures to avoid getting sick.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of American Adults say they will get a flu shot this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-four percent (44%) don’t plan on getting one. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 5-6, 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 Considered Quitting Their U.S. Citizenship

Few Americans have ever thought about giving up their U.S. citizenship, but nearly half think U.S. citizens should be able to be citizens of more than one country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only nine percent (9%) of U.S. citizens have considered giving up their American citizenship. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

26% Think It's Too Easy To Become A U.S. Citizen

Americans strongly value being a citizen of the United States, but one-in-four thinks it's too easy these days for someone to become a citizen.

Ninety-eight percent (98%) of those contacted in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey identified themselves as citizens of the United States, and 93% said they consider it at least somewhat important to be an American citizen. The latter figure includes 79% who think it is Very Important.

Just four percent (4%) say it is not very or Not At All Important to be a U.S. citizen. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 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.

Just 12% Think Most Americans Are Informed Voters

Most Americans consider themselves informed citizens but don’t express the same confidence in the greater U.S. population. Far fewer think their fellow citizens are informed voters.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 83% of American Adults consider themselves to be informed citizens. Just 12% admit they are not informed citizens. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 27-28, 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% Look at U.S. Political News First, 30% Go Local

Americans still get most of their news from television and are most interested in what is going on nationally, with an emphasis on politics.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults say they get most of their news from TV, while 30% rely most heavily on the Internet. Just 10% count on radio for the majority of their news, and eight percent (8%) look to newspapers. One percent (1%) each get most of their news from social media or from family and friends. Two percent (2%) cite other sources. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 27-28, 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.