Lifestyle

59% Say College Is Primarily For Gaining Job Skills

Americans by a two-to-one margin view colleges as job training centers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults believe the primary purpose for attending college is to learn the skills needed to get a better job. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, while 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

18% Think Most Colleges and Universities Promote U.S. Social Values

Americans tend to believe colleges and universities should promote the nation’s social values but think the schools are much more likely to challenge them instead.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that a plurality (45%) of American Adults believes colleges and universities should uphold the values of American society. Just 18% think the schools should challenge those values. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say they should do both, and six percent (6%) feel they should do neither. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

73% Favor Labels for Genetically Modified Food

Most Americans agree the federal government should require labeling for foods with genetically modified ingredients, although they don’t know much about what those are.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 73% of American Adults think the federal government should require that any foods containing genetically modified ingredients, or GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), be labeled as such on store shelves. Fifteen percent (15%) disagree, and 12% are not sure. The level of support remains generally unchanged from last May. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

41% Say Earth Day Has Helped Raise Environmental Awareness

Today is Earth Day, a tradition started in 1970 and one most Americans continue to view as important. But adults remain closely divided over its impact on environmental awareness.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of U.S. Adults believe Earth Day is at least somewhat important, including 29% who consider it Very Important. Thirty-five percent (35%) don’t see much importance in the day, including 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 April 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.

42% Rate Race Relations in U.S. as Good or Excellent

More Americans than ever give race relations in the United States positive ratings and feel these relations are improving.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of American Adults rate race relations in America today as good or excellent.  Just 14% view those relations as poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

53% Say Pro Sports Have Helped Race Relations in U.S.

Most Americans (53%) believe professional sports have helped improve race relations in the United States.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults disagree. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here)

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

59% View Jackie Robinson Favorably

Jackie Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut 66 years ago this week and by doing so shattered the league’s color barrier, but he impacted race relations far beyond the sports culture. Today, most Americans still view the legendary civil rights figure favorably.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 59% of Americans Adults have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Robinson, including 36% who view him Very Favorably. Just four percent (4%) have an unfavorable opinion of the baseball great. However, 36% don't know enough about him to venture an opinion. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

71% Think Pop Culture Encourages Sexual Activity Among the Young

Americans have consistently said that violence in movies and television leads to more violence in society, and they also strongly feel that the pop culture encourages sexual activity.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults say movies, TV and other parts of popular culture encourage sexual activity among young people.  Only 18% disagree, while 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 April 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.

57% Oppose Over-the-Counter Sales of Morning-After Pill to Youngsters

A federal judge earlier this month ruled that the morning-after birth control pill should be available over the counter to children 16 and younger without a prescription.  Most Americans think that’s a bad idea and that parents should be involved in a contraceptive decision for children that young.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of American Adults favor making the morning-after pill available to children 16 and under without a prescription. Fifty-seven percent (57%) oppose the availability of the contraceptive for those that young without a prescription. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

71% View College Admissions for Good Athletes Over Better Students as Unfair

While it's commonplace for most colleges and universities to bend over backwards to recruit star athletes, Americans believe strongly that talented jocks shouldn't be admitted over more qualified students.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of American Adults think it is fair for a school to accept a skilled athlete over a more qualified student. Seventy-one percent (71%) disagree and do not believe that athlete should get preferential admissions. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 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.

5% Think It’s Better for America If All Presidents Are Ivy League Grads

Only three percent (3%) of Americans think graduates of Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale make better workers than those who went to other colleges and universities. Still, every U.S. president for the last 25 years is an Ivy League graduate.

But only five percent (5%) of American Adults think it is better for America to have presidents only from Ivy League schools. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% believe it’s better for the country to have presidents who come from a variety of schools. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 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.For those students, Americans think contacts and the name of their school are as valuable as what they learn.

25% Know Someone Who Has Been Murdered

There is a huge racial divide when it comes to personal experience with crime and the justice system.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of all American Adults know someone who has been murdered. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 13% know someone who is currently in prison.

Seventy percent (70%) do not know a murder victim, and 84% do not know someone currently in jail. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Americans Think Making Contacts Just As Important As Education in Elite Schools

Education is the most important thing students get out of a state university or a community college as far as most Americans are concerned. But for those who attend elite colleges and universities, contacts and the name of their school are considered as valuable as what they learn.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 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 byPulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

40% Believe Law Enforcement Can Dramatically Reduce Gang Violence

Americans are fairly evenly divided as to whether law enforcement agencies can dramatically reduce gun violence among inner city gangs. Forty percent (40%) say it is possible; 33% disagree, and 27% are not sure, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

As for the members of these gangs, criminologist David Kennedy says in his book Don’t Shoot that, contrary to popular opinion, they don’t make a lot of money and don’t like the violent life style.

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 4-5, 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 Want Businesses to Offer More Jobs to Those Without Degrees

The New York Times in December ran a story expressing concern over a new trend in Montana. The state’s energy boom was forcing companies to offer $50,000 a year jobs to high school graduates (and $50,000 goes further in Montana than in New York City).  The Times article highlighted concerns that such well-paying jobs might lure students into the workforce rather than college.

However, 51% of American Adults believe it would be better for our country if more businesses offered jobs to high school graduates rather than requiring a college degree. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Still, 54% think just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so. Just 32% disagree. Younger adults are even more convinced that good students can find a way to finance a college education.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 6-7, 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% Oppose Tax Deductions for Some College Donors

Most Americans don't think it's fair for colleges to give special treatment to children of large donors, and a sizable number believe that donations to those schools should no longer be tax deductible. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that a plurality (45%) of American Adults think donations to colleges and universities should not be tax deductible if those schools give special applications preference to the children of large donors. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and believe those donations should remain tax deductible.  Eighteen percent (18%) more are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

30% Think It’s Fair For Colleges To Give Admissions Preference to Donors' Children

Most Americans don’t think it’s fair for colleges to give special treatment to children of large donors, but they have mixed opinions when it comes to the children of those who once attended those schools.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 30% of Adults think it’s fair for colleges and universities to give preferences to children of large donors.  Sixty-one percent (61%) disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

23% Think Elite Colleges and Universities Accept Only the Most Qualified

A sizable number of Americans recognize that some of the nation’s top schools give special preference to children of previous graduates and major donors, but they don’t view that as a bigger problem than the emphasis on recruiting minority students.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 23% of American Adults believe schools like Harvard and Yale accept only the most qualified students. Forty percent (40%) say those Ivy League schools give special preferences to the children of prior students and donors. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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(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 April 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.

47% Will Attend Religious Service to Celebrate Easter

Belief in the importance of Easter is down slightly, but nearly half of Americans still will attend a religious service to celebrate the holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of American Adults consider Easter one of the nation’s most important holidays, down from the mid- to upper 40s for the last several years. Just 18% think it’s one of the least important holidays, and 40% see it as somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

2013 World Series Champion is Anyone’s Guess

The field of contenders to win the World Series is wide open as the 2013 Major League Baseball season gets under way this weekend.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 11% of Baseball Fans think the Los Angeles Angels will win the World Series this year, but just as many (11%) say the Detroit Tigers will redeem themselves from last year’s series loss. Ten percent (10%) believe the San Francisco Giants will win a second straight championship, but nine percent (9%) think the Washington Nationals will bring a title to the nation’s capital. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 500 Baseball Fans was conducted on March 25-26, 2013 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.