General Lifestyle

54% Think Real Cause of Malaysian Plane's Disappearance May Never Be Known

It’s been more than two weeks since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing, and more Americans now think terrorism is behind the disappearance. But most don’t expect to ever find out what exactly happened to the missing plane.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults believe terrorism is the most likely cause of the disappearance of Flight 370. Just 10% think the disappearance is the result of a mechanical failure, while the same number (10%) believe human error is to blame. A sizable 27% think something else caused the aircraft’s disappearance, while another 20% are not sure. (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 March 21-22, 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.

69% Say Arrival of Spring Puts Them in a Better Mood

Winter feels like it may never end in many parts of the country, and most Americans agree that this has been one of the worst winters ever. Not surprisingly then, seven-out-of-10 say the arrival of spring today lifts their spirits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults rate the winter of 2013-2014 as one of the worst ever. Thirty percent (30%) think it was about the same as most winters, while 10% consider it one of the best. This past winter, multiple polar vortexes fell over much of the United States, bringing below freezing temperatures to every state. (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 March 13-14, 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.

56% Say Any Good Student Who Wants to Go to College Can Find a Way

Despite the ever-growing cost of attending college, most Americans think anyone who is qualified to go can find a way to do so. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think that, in America today, just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, but 14% are not sure. (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 March 7-8, 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.

62% Say It’s Very Important For Children to Grow Up in Two-Parent Home

Most Americans still believe it's better for children to grow up in a home with both parents, but parents believe this much more strongly than those who don't have kids. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 89% of American Adults feel it’s at least somewhat important that children grow up in a home with both parents, including 62% who say it’s Very Important. But the latter figure has been falling in surveys since June 2010 when 80% said it is Very Important for children to grow up with both parents. Still, just nine percent (9%) say it's not very or Not At All Important for children to grow up in a two-parent environment. (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 March 9-10, 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.

20% Rate the News Media As Very Trustworthy

Most Americans still get their news from television and consider the news reported by the media generally trustworthy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults say they get most of their news from TV, including 40% who get it from cable news networks and 19% who get it from the traditional news networks. Twenty-eight percent (28%) use the Internet as their main source of news, while only seven percent (7%) still rely on print newspapers. Four percent (4%) get most of their news from radio. (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 March 11-12, 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.

7% Think Parents Should Be Required to Support Children Over 18

An 18-year old New Jersey high school student who says she was forced to leave home is suing her parents for financial support and college tuition. Her parents claim she left home because she didn’t want to obey their rules. Few Americans believe parents should be required by law to provide financial support for their children after they turn 18, and an overwhelming majority believes parents should be allowed to impose reasonable standards of behavior on children living at home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) of American Adults believe parents should be required by law to provide financial support for their children after they reach the age of 18. Eighty-three percent (83%) disagree. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (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 March 9-10, 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.

Just 33% See the Purpose of Daylight Saving Time

Americans will be springing forward an hour this weekend for Daylight Saving Time (DST), but fewer think it's worth the effort or even an effective way to save energy.

Only 33% of American Adults think DST is worth the hassle, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That is down from 37% last year at this time and 45% in 2012. Forty-eight percent (48%) do not think the clock changing ritual is worth it, but 19% are not sure. (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 5-6, 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.

36% Favor Ban on Plastic Shopping Bags in Their State

Most Americans say they use plastic shopping bags, and they aren't overly keen about efforts to ban or tax their use of those bags.

States including Hawaii, California and Massachusetts have begun banning the use of plastic bags over environmental concerns, and the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults favor such a ban in their state. But 45% are opposed to a ban on disposable plastic bags where they live. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 5-6, 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 Rank Cancer As Nation's Worst Disease

Cancer ranks number one when Americans are asked what's the worst disease they face, while nearly half believe the federal government doesn't spend enough on medical research in general.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Adults consider cancer the worst disease facing Americans today. Heart disease is a distant second, rated worst by 22%, followed by 13% who say diabetes. Alzheimer's disease is rated the worst by nine percent (9%), while two percent (2%) think AIDS is the worst. One percent (1%) list strokes, and four percent (4%) say it's some other unspecified disease. (For 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 national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 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.

22% Expect a Cure for Alzheimer’s in Next 10 Years

Actor Seth Rogen appeared at a Senate hearing last week to push for a greater government effort to fight Alzheimer's disease. Americans aren't hugely optimistic that a cure for Alzheimer's is coming anytime soon, but most think it will be a private company, not the government, that finds a cure for the disease.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of American Adults think we will find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease within the next 10 years. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree, but a sizable 40% are not sure. (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 national survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 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.

Only 12% Rarely or Never Check Food Nutrition Labels

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed changes to existing food nutrition labels to make them more consumer-friendly. Most Americans already regularly check these labels but think the changes are likely to help people make even healthier food choices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults routinely check nutritional labels on the food they eat, with 38% who do it most of the time and 21% who do so always. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say they sometimes check the labels. Just 12% rarely or never check food nutrition labels. (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 February 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.

67% Consider Themselves Healthy Eaters

Most Americans say they eat healthy, but one-out-of-five admits to regularly overindulging.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults say they are overweight. That’s little changed from last September and remains below the high of 42% in May 2012. Fifty-six percent (56%) say they are not overweight. (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 February 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.

78% Say It’s Harder Now for Teachers to Maintain Discipline

Most Americans still believe that discipline in public schools is too easy these days, but they also think it is harder for today’s teachers to discipline in the classroom compared to previous generations.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of American Adults believe discipline in public schools is too easy. That’s down slightly from 68% in July 2011. Just five percent (5%) think school discipline is too tough these days, while 19% say it’s about right. Another 14% are undecided. (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 February 19-20, 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. 

68% of Parents With School-Age Kids Think They Should Be Able to Choose School with Spanking

Americans believe overwhelmingly that parents have the right to spank their own children but feel nearly as strongly that teachers don’t. Most parents, however, think they should be able to send their kids to a school that allows disciplinary spanking if they want to.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of American Adults think parents should have a choice between sending their children to a school where disciplinary spanking is allowed and a school where spanking is not allowed. Only 25% disagree, but 18% are not sure. (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 February 19-20, 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.

58% Still Trust A Jury’s Verdict More Than A Judge’s

Juries are in the news again after a Florida man was found not guilty of murder last week for shooting a teenager who refused to turn down his loud rap music. But most Americans still have more faith in juries than in judges, although their views of the overall U.S. justice system have fallen.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults trust a jury more to determine the guilt or innocence of someone accused of criminal behavior. Just 22% trust a judge more, while nearly as many (20%) are not sure. (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 February 17-18, 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.

35% Think Baby Boomers Have Been Good for America

A majority of Americans have a favorable impression of the so-called Baby Boomer generation, but they are less enthusiastic about the generation’s impact on America.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of American Adults correctly identify the Baby Boomer generation as those born between 1946 and 1964. Seven percent (7%) believe the term Baby Boomer applies to those born between 1929 and 1945 during the Great Depression and World War II, while just as many (7%) think the term applies to those born between 1965 and 1974 during the war in Vietnam and the Watergate scandal.  Four percent (4%) think the Baby Boomer generation was born when Ronald Reagan was president in the 1980s. (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 February 5-6, 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.

62% Think Other Chains Likely to Follow CVS' No-Tobacco Policy

CVS Caremark drugstores announced last week that they would stop selling all tobacco products in their stores “to help people on their path to better health,” and most Americans think it's likely that other major retail chains will follow their example in the next few years. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that other major retail chains will stop selling tobacco products over the next five years. Twenty-six percent (26%) consider this unlikely. This includes 23% who think it’s Very Likely other major retailers will follow CVS' lead and just four percent (4%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (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 February 7-8, 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.

46% Think Media Overhypes Weather Events

Slightly more Americans are going online to check weather reports, but fewer believe the media overhypes bad weather.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of American Adults get most of their weather updates from local television news. That’s down from 53% in late 2010.  Twenty-seven percent (27%) say they usually check the weather on the Internet, up from 20% three years ago. Thirteen percent (13%) get their weather news from cable TV, while nine percent (9%) prefer the radio. Four percent (4%) get news about the weather primarily from newspapers. (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 26-27, 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.

36% Text Rather Than Phone to Reach Someone

When is a phone more than a phone? A lot of the time these days, it seems.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of American Adults use a cell phone at least several times a day to make calls, send text messages and emails and use the Internet. This includes 15% who say they use their phone every hour and 11% who use it constantly. Twenty-one percent (21%) use their cell phone just once or twice a day, while 14% who own a cell phone rarely or never use it.  (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 901 Cell Phone Owners was conducted January 24-25, 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.

62% Say Winter Has Been Worse This Year

As much of the United States continues to endure frigid temperatures and surprising amounts of snow, most Americans say winter weather has been worse in their area compared to past years. But they're evenly divided over whether global warming is to blame.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 62% of American Adults think winter has been worse in their area this year than it has been in recent years. That’s nearly double the number of adults who said the same at the end of December 2010 but little changed from sentiments measured the previous winter season. Thirty-one percent (31%) say this winter in their area hasn’t been worse than past years. (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 January 26-27, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. 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.