Lifestyle

What America Thinks About the Transgender Bathroom Debate

A legal battle is escalating between the U.S. Justice Department and North Carolina over the state’s bill that would ban individuals from using public restrooms that do not correspond to their biological gender. The Justice Department has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state claiming the new law discriminates against transgender individuals, but North Carolina officials, arguing that their bill is a common-sense safety measure, have countered with a suit arguing the federal government is exceeding its authority.

60% of Women See Motherhood As Most Important Role

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and while Americans don’t think much of it as a holiday, most still believe that being a mother is the most important role a woman can play.

Most Still Concerned About Zika Threat

As warmer weather arrives in much of the United States, most Americans see the mosquito-borne Zika virus as a major potential health problem but are confident public health agencies can handle it.

Americans See Tough Road Ahead For Class of 2016

It’s about time for the latest crop of college graduates to enter the workforce, but Americans still aren’t confident about the job colleges are doing preparing those young minds.

21% Rate Prince's Death As a Bigger Loss to the Nation Than Scalia's

A surprising number of Americans rate the death of Prince as a bigger blow to the country than the passing of longtime U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Most think the media has definitely been treating the popular musician's death as the bigger loss.

Most Parents Say No to Standardized Testing

Parental opposition to standardized testing in schools remains high, even as the latest cycle of tests is beginning in many states. Most parents now say there’s no need for any such tests at all.

Most Are Pro-Environment But Don't Thank Earth Day

While most Americans say they’ve donated time or money to clean up the environment, they don’t feel strongly that Earth Day, a tradition established in 1970, has been all that important in increasing environmental consciousness.

Texting During the Movie? No Way

Last week, movie theater chain AMC announced plans to allow text messaging in certain theaters during movie screenings, then quickly reversed its decision after a swift backlash. But even the mention of the idea was enough to get people talking, and their reaction was decisive: no texting during the movie.

Americans Put Country and God First

After family, what do Americans believe in most strongly? Their country and their religious faith.

Americans Reject Plans to Pay Killers Not to Kill

In an effort to reduce their homicide rates, several major cities including Baltimore, Miami, Toledo and Washington, D.C. are considering a plan to pay criminals not to murder with a gun. Americans overwhelmingly reject that idea.

Most Don't Blame Cops for Shooting Incidents

Despite the continuing debate over police conduct, more Americans than ever say their local officers are doing a good job, and most still don't think cops are to blame for the majority of shootings they are involved in.

Should Texting While Walking Be Against the Law?

To reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities, a New Jersey lawmaker has proposed penalizing those who use cell phones without hands-free devices on sidewalks and beside roadways. More than a third of Americans are on board with that idea.

More Americans Will Attend Church This Easter

While Easter is not the most important holiday of the year for the majority of Americans, most plan on attending a church service to honor it. 

Thirty-nine percent (39%) of American Adults continue to regard Easter, the day Christians believe marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as one of our nation’s most important holidays. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 12% think it’s among the least important holidays, while 46% place it somewhere in between. (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 22-23, 2016 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Three Quarters of Americans Believe Jesus Rose From the Dead

Americans’ belief in Jesus Christ’s resurrection is even higher this Easter.

Happy Birthday, Slurpee!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Slurpee, the frozen carbonated beverage sold at 7-Eleven convenience stores worldwide, and Americans have fond feelings toward the sugary, icy drink.

Americans Welcome The Arrival of Spring

Sunday was the first official day of spring, leaving behind Americans' least favorite season and putting most in a better mood.

Most Say We Have Less Freedom of Speech

Freedom of speech. It’s the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and for many the most important. But most Americans still feel it’s in danger.

Most Americans Support Same-Sex Adoptions

Following a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision this week to uphold an adoption by a lesbian couple in Georgia, just over half of Americans say they support same-sex couples adopting children.

Americans Are Angry About Politics But Not at Each Other

Americans are very angry politically as the surprising success of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders clearly indicates, but fortunately they're not taking that anger out on their family and friends.

Are Americans Honest at Tax Time?

Americans don't consider their fellow countrymen an overly honest group, but they think most play fair when it comes to their taxes.