Lifestyle

30% Think Hunger A Very Serious Problem in America

Most Americans see hunger in the country as at least a somewhat serious problem, and nearly half think it is getting worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults say hunger in the United States today is at least a somewhat serious problem, including 30% who see it as a Very Serious one. Just 28% don’t think hunger's a serious problem, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Serious.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

49ers Once Again Early Super Bowl Favorites In A Crowded Field

For the second year in a row, football fans predict the San Francisco 49ers will win Super Bowl XLVIII. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of Football Fans say the 49ers, last year’s runner-up, will win the Super Bowl.  In a distant second are the Denver Broncos with 14%.  The New England Patriots are seen as this year’s eventual champions by nine percent (9%), while nearly as many (8%) think the Green Bay Packers will win it all.  Seven percent (7%) say the same of the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins.  No other team surveyed reached five percent (5%) support.  (Please click here to find out the rest of the teams surveyed).

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The national survey of 1,000 Football Fans was conducted on September 3-4, 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.

70% Say They Are in Good Health

Most Americans believe they are healthy, although just over one-in-three admits to being overweight.

Seventy percent (70%) of American Adults rate their own overall health as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This is generally unchanged from surveys for the past three years. Just seven percent (7%) say they are in poor health. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 30-31, 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.

18% Think Federal Government Should Regulate School Food

With school back in session for most children, first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign is back in the spotlight, but only 18% of Americans think the federal government should have a say in nutritional standards at schools.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Adults believe school nutritional standards should be set locally, with 36% who feel parent-teacher groups should do it and 16% who believe it should be up to local governments. This marks a seven-point shift in favor of local control from 45% in March who favored parent-teacher groups or local governments making the call. Fourteen percent (14%) think state governments should set the standards. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 30-31, 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.

76% Think Unvaccinated Children Will Cause Health Problems For Others

As children across the country head back to school, vaccinations are another requirement many parents have to address along with books and supplies. Most parents continue to report their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations, but half of Americans remain concerned about the safety of these preventative measures.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of all American Adults say they are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of vaccinations for children, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 28% who are Very Concerned. Forty-four percent (44%) are not as concerned about childhood vaccines, including 17% who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 28-29, 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.

23% Now Use Online Movie Streaming Services

Despite the growing popularity of online movie streaming services such as Netflix, most Americans are still more likely to watch a film on network or cable TV. 

Just 14% of American Adults rarely or never watch movies at home, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-three percent (23%) watch a film at home at least once a week, while another 30% do so at least once a month. Thirty-one percent (31%) say they only occasionally watch movies at home.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 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.

68% Think School Children Should Say Pledge of Allegiance Every Morning

The Massachusetts Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow challenging the legality of the Pledge of Allegiance. But most Americans continue to believe the daily Pledge of Allegiance to the flag should be kept in schools and that it should include the words “under God.”

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults believe students should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school. One-in-four (25%) do not think children should be required to say the daily pledge. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 28-29, 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.

35% Celebrate Labor Day to Honor Working Americans

For most Americans, Labor Day is not a very important holiday, but one-in-three still view it as a celebration of the working man as it was originally intended.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults regard Labor Day as one of the nation’s most important holidays. Nearly as many (19%) consider it one of the least important holidays. For 57%, it’s somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national 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.

57% Favor Sales Tax Holidays

Eighteen states currently offer a “sales tax holiday” – a brief suspension of sales taxes – at this time of year to encourage back-to-school shopping, and most Americans like the idea.

Fifty-seven percent of American Adults favor these so-called sales tax holidays, while 20% are opposed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-three percent (23%) are undecided. These findings show little change from two years ago. (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.

56% Say Their Family Displays Flag on Most National Holidays

Most Americans say their family regularly flies the U.S. flag on important holidays and don’t think anyone should be able to stop them unless it’s a public safety issue. Americans also strongly believe school children should be required to honor the flag every morning.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of American Adults say they or a member of their family regularly displays the American flag on most national holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) say their family does not display the flag on these days. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 28-29, 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% 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.