Lifestyle

41% Favor School Uniform Requirement

An increasing number of public schools are requiring their students to wear uniforms, and opposition to such a requirement has fallen. 

Forty-one percent (41%) of American Adults think students should be required to wear uniforms to school, generally unchanged in surveys since August 2008. Forty-seven percent (47%) oppose a school uniform requirement, but that's down from 50% last year and 53% in 2011. Twelve percent (12%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 24-25, 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.

59% of Moviegoers Say Storyline Matters Most

Though less than half of Americans go to the movies at least occasionally, those that do go for the storytelling above all else.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Adults rarely or never go to the movies. Thirty-three percent (33%) go to the movies occasionally, while 14% go at least once a month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 22-23, 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% Say Economy Forced Them To Cut Back Vacation Spending

Most Americans did not take a summer vacation this year, but fewer of those who did are citing the economy as a reason they cut back on spending. 

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults say they took a summer vacation this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Sixty-three percent (63%) did not.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 26-27, 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.

53% Think School Shouldn’t Open Until After Labor Day

While many schools are already back in session, most adults still think the school year shouldn’t start until after Labor Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults believe the school year should begin in August, the way it has in recent years in many jurisdictions. But 53% disagree and say it shouldn’t start until after Labor Day. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 24-25, 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.

59% Think Violent Movies Lead to More Violence in Society

Americans still believe the movie industry has done more harm than good to society, particularly when it comes to violence.

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults believe that, generally speaking, movies and the movie industry have a negative impact on American society. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 21% believe the movie industry has a positive impact on society, while 15% say it has no impact at all. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 22-23, 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.

Most Adults Tend to Cook, Eat Dinner At Home

On a typical day, most Americans eat dinner at home rather than go out to eat. They also most often cook that dinner instead of grabbing a ready-made meal.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 89% of American Adults are more likely to eat dinner at home on a typical day, while just 10% are more likely to eat dinner out somewhere. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

79% Say Americans Watch Too Much TV

Most adults continue to believe their fellow Americans watch too much TV, but fewer than ever admit they watch the tube daily. 

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Adults believe most Americans watch too much television, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Only seven percent (7%) disagree, while 14% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 14-15, 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.

Most Adults Say It’s Important To Them To Buy Organic, Locally-Grown Food

Most Americans choose a major chain supermarket when they go food shopping, but they still consider it at least somewhat important to find food that is locally grown and organic. They overwhelmingly agree, though, that organic food is more expensive.

The majority of American adults (55%) go food shopping once a week, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-seven percent (27%) go two or three times a week, and seven percent (7%) go every day or nearly every day. Ten percent (10%) shop for food once a month or less. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

49% Say Children’s Quality of Life is Worse Than a Generation Ago

Americans continue to believe kids are spending too much time in front of computers and other electronic devices, and nearly half think their quality of life is worse than it was for children a generation ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults say the quality of life for children today is worse than it was a generation ago. Just 29% think it’s better, and 16% think the quality of life is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 14-15, 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.

81% Think Americans Pay Too Much Attention to Celebrity News

Which is more important: the riots in the Middle East or the latest celebrity scandal? Most Americans fear that, for many, it’s the latter.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of American Adults think their fellow Americans pay too much attention to celebrity news and not enough attention to news that has real impact on their lives. This is down slightly from 86% in March 2011 and 87% in July 2010. Just 10% think Americans don’t pay too much attention to celebrity news. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 8-9, 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% Support Legalizing Marijuana, 42% Do Not

Americans are still divided on whether or not to legalize marijuana, but most think it should be up to the states to decide, not the federal government.

Forty-four percent (44%) of American Adults say marijuana should be legalized, but nearly as many (42%) say no, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fourteen percent (14%) are not sure whether it should be legal. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

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55% Believe There Are Too Many Americans In Prison

This week U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a plan to scale back the number of strict minimum prison sentences for non-violent low-level drug offenders, and just over half of Americans are on board with this proposal. 

Fifty-one percent (51%) of American Adults favor a plan that would reduce the number of non-violent offenders sent to prison, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-five percent (25%) oppose such a plan, while just as many (24%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

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15% Say Professional Athletes Are Good Role Models for Kids

Some professional athletes just can’t seem to stay out of trouble, and most Americans are noticing.

Just 15% of American Adults believe professional athletes are good role models for children, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-one percent (61%) say athletes are not good role models, while another 24% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 8-9, 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 Racism Not Chief Reason for Lack of Neighborhood Diversity

Americans are closely divided on the importance of neighborhoods in this country being racially or ethnically diverse, but most believe racism is not the chief reason for a lack of diversity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat important for most neighborhoods in America to be racially or ethnically diverse. Forty-six percent (46%) say it’s not important. This includes 16% for whom neighborhood diversity is Very Important and 16% 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 August 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.

81% See Amber Alerts As Effective In Abduction Cases

Most Americans believe Amber Alerts are an effective way to respond to child abduction incidents but also feel cell phone owners should be able to opt out of receiving the alerts.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of American Adults believe that Amber Alerts are at least somewhat effective in abduction cases, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that includes just 27% who say the alerts are Very Effective. Only 12%, however, feel Amber Alerts are not very or Not At All Effective. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

Molina, Cabrera Early Favorites For 2013 MLB MVP Awards

There’s still plenty of baseball left in the 2013 season, but fans already have an idea of which players are heading toward one of the league’s biggest annual awards.

Detroit Tigers slugger and last year’s winner Miguel Cabrera is well ahead of the pack of American League contenders with 39% of Major League Baseball fans who say he’s been the most valuable player this season. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that Baltimore’s Chris Davis, who is currently sitting on 40 homeruns, is in a distant second with 19% of the vote. Eight percent (8%) of fans think veteran David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox has been this year’s MVP, while nearly as many (7%) say the same of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

Ten percent (10%) think someone not named in the survey is the current MVP, while 12% more are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The field for the National League MVP is a little tighter and features two catchers in the top three. Veteran catcher Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals comes in first with 20% of the vote for MVP, while 13% prefer Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. San Francisco Giants catcher and last year’s MVP Buster Posey comes in at 10% while New York Mets pitching sensation Matt Harvey draws seven percent (7%) of the vote. Six percent (6%) believe Cincinnati Reds slugger Joey Votto has been the league’s MVP so far this season. One in five fans (19%) thinks someone else not named in the survey should win, while just as many are undecided.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt each receive less than five percent (5%) support.

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The national survey of 745 baseball fans was conducted on July 17-18, 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.

25% Think Mass Transit in U.S. Not As Safe as 10 Years Ago

Most Americans think mass transit in the United States is safe, but one-in-four think it's less safe than it was a decade ago.   

Seventy-four percent (74%) of American Adults say, generally speaking, mass transit services in the United States are at least somewhat safe, but only 23% think they are Very Safe.  A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 16% think public transportation is not very or Not At All Safe.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 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.

Baseball Fans Predict Detroit Tigers Will Win World Series

The second half of the Major League Baseball season is underway, and the Detroit Tigers are now the favorite to win the World Series. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of Baseball Fans think the Detroit Tigers will redeem themselves from last year’s series loss, while nearly as many (18%) believe the St. Louis Cardinals will win the World Series.  Eleven percent (11%) say the Boston Red Sox will win it all. 

Seven percent (7%) of fans predict the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves will be this year’s champions, followed by the Oakland Athletics (6%).  This year’s preseason favorite, the Los Angeles Dodgers, come in at four percent (4%).  No other team reaches four percent (4%).  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 745 baseball fans was conducted on July 17-18, 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.

74% Rarely or Never Use Mass Transit

Most Americans seldom, if ever use mass transit, but they still tend to believe the government should back mass transit projects as long as they don’t lose money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of American Adults use mass transit services such as buses, subways, trains or ferries every day or nearly every day. Seven percent (7%) use these services at least once a week. Four percent (4%) ride them two or three times a month, while another seven percent (7%) characterize their use as once every few months.

But three-out-of-four Americans (74%) say they rarely or never use mass transit. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Men Are Still Chief Breadwinners in Most Relationships

A recent major study suggests that an increasing number of American women are now the primary breadwinners in married couples, but for most men and women, the man remains the chief earner.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of men say they earn the most money in their marriage or domestic partnership, compared to 23% of women who say they earn the most. Fifty-four percent (54%) of women say their partner earns more. Only 18% of men say their partner is the bigger earner. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,818 Adults was conducted on July 17-18, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.