Lifestyle

Americans Still Have Lots of Holiday Shopping Left

The clock is ticking. With less than 10 days left until Christmas, Americans are on pace with last season’s holiday shopping.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of American Adults have now started their holiday shopping, up from 54% two weeks ago and 34% a month ago. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% have yet to start their holiday gift shopping at this point. (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 December 14-15, 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.

Charity is Up This Christmas

Americans are in the charitable spirit once again this Christmas, and even more plan to make a donation than last year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of Americans Adults are at least somewhat likely to make a charitable donation of some kind this year, up from 76% a year ago. Just 13% are not likely to make a donation. This includes 65% who are Very Likely to donate this year and five percent (5%) who are Not At All Likely to do so. (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 December 8-9, 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 Say Violent Video Games Lead to a More Violent Society

Australian K-Mart and Target stores recently banned the popular video game Grand Theft Auto V from its shelves, responding to a petition over the game’s depiction of violence against women. Back at home, nearly half of Americans believe violent video games lead to more violence in society and parents should be held responsible to limit the exposure their children have to these games.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults think violent video games lead to more violence in our society. However, this is down six points from a July 2012 survey taken just weeks after the Colorado movie theater shooting spree and the lowest finding since we first asked the question in 2010. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, unchanged from two years ago. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure, up seven points from 2012. (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 December 6-7, 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.

Not So Fast, Satan; Other Religious Displays OK on Public Land

Americans continue to strongly support the celebration of Christmas in the public schools and religious displays on public land, but they draw the line at displays by Satanists and atheists.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults believe Christmas should be celebrated in public schools. Just 15% disagree. (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 December 8-9, 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 Favor Uniform Cameras, Mostly for Cops' Protection

Americans are more supportive of police officers wearing body cameras and believe it will reduce the number of fatal incidents cops are involved in. They also think the cameras will protect the police more than civilians.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults think police officers should be required to wear uniform cameras while on duty. Just 17% disagree, while 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 December 4-5, 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.

It's Jesus vs. Santa Again This Holiday Season

Santa Claus may be coming to town, but most Americans still think the holiday season should really be about the one who started it all.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults believe Christmas should be more about Jesus than Santa. Only 20% think it should be more about the guy coming down the chimney. 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 Adults nationwide was conducted on December 8-9, 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.

Are Americans Obsessed With Video Games?

More than 40 years after the first home video game console hit store shelves, most adults think their fellow Americans play video games too much, even though they seldom, if ever, play themselves.

In a typical week, 68% of American Adults say they rarely or never play video games, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-one percent (31%) play at least occasionally, including 14% who play several times a week or more. Seven percent (7%) say they play every day or nearly every day. (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 December 6-7, 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 Strongly Believe Cops Protect and Serve

Americans are solidly convinced that their local police are their protectors and give them high makes for the job they do. Most also believe deaths that involve policemen are usually the fault of the suspect, not the cop.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults rate the performance of the police in the area where they live as good or excellent. Just nine percent (9%) say they are doing a poor job. (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 December 4-5, 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.

Fewer Americans See Need for Police Profiling

Even as the Justice Department announces new rules that expand current bans on profiling by federal law enforcement, Americans are less convinced of the need for profiling as a police tool.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 35% of American Adults believe factors such as race, ethnicity and overall appearance should be used by police officers to determine whom they should randomly search. Forty-six percent (46%) disagree with this type of profiling, while 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 4-5, 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.

More Holiday Shoppers Doing Business Online

Is Cyber Monday eclipsing Black Friday?

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% of American Adults plan to do at least some of their holiday gift shopping online this year. That’s up from 71% a year ago and 60% in 2012. The latest finding includes 45% who say they will do at least half of their shopping on the Internet, with 24% who will do most or all of it online. One-in-five adults (20%) still don’t plan on buying any gifts online. (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 November 30 – December 1, 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.

Taking A Closer Look at Black Friday's Sales

Although one-in-three expected to take advantage of Black Friday sales deals last week, slightly fewer actually ended up braving the holiday shopping crowds. A lot also say they ended up buying things mostly for themselves instead of holiday gifts.

Twenty-two percent (22%) of American Adults say they went shopping on Black Friday, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. (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 November 30-December 1, 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.

Holiday Shopping Kicks In To Overdrive

Off we go! The number of Americans who have started their holiday shopping has jumped dramatically following the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales weekend.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults have now started to shop for the holidays. That’s up 20 points from 34% two weeks ago and up six points from the 48% who had begun holiday shopping by this time last year. Forty-four percent (44%) still haven’t begun shopping yet. (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 November 30-December 1, 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 Give Thanks

An overwhelming majority of Americans have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving which many will be spending at home.

Just 49% of American Adults consider Thanksgiving one of the nation’s most important holidays, but 84% think they have a lot to be thankful for today, little changed from last year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only four percent (4%) consider Thanksgiving Day one of the least important holidays, while 45% rate 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.

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 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.

More Americans Have Thanksgiving Travel Plans

One-in-four Americans plan to be out of town this Thanksgiving.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults plan to travel away from home over the long holiday weekend, up from 22% last year and 18% in 2012. (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. 

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 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.

Americans Say Wait For Official Charges Before Pulling Cosby Shows

Though nearly half of Americans think it’s likely the recent sexual assault allegations against comedian Bill Cosby are true, they still think television networks should hold off on pulling his shows until he is officially charged with a crime.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of American Adults have a favorable impression of Cosby, including 16% who have a Very Favorable impression of him. Thirty-six percent (36%) view “The Cosby Show” star unfavorably, including 14% with a Very Unfavorable impression. Another 22% are not sure what they think of Cosby. (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 November 23-24, 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.

Most Expect Violent Protests in Wake of Ferguson Decision

Americans strongly believe there will be violent protests if the white police officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri is not charged with murder, and they continue to think those protesters will mostly be criminals taking advantage of the situation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that there will be violent protests if Officer Darren Wilson is not charged with murder in the shooting of Brown. Just 10% don’t think there will be violent protests. This includes 57% who say the protests are Very Likely and just two percent (2%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. 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 national telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 19-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Who’s Your Competition on Black Friday?

One-out-of-three Americans think they’ll be among the holiday shopping crowds this Black Friday, but there’s still not much enthusiasm for going to stores that begin their sales early on Thanksgiving Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults think they are at least somewhat likely to go shopping on the day after Thanksgiving to take advantage of Black Friday sales deals. That includes 14% who are Very Likely to do so. But 66% consider Black Friday shopping unlikely, with 35% who say it is Not At All Likely they’ll be in the stores that day. (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 November 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.

Few Expect Ferguson Police Officer To Be Charged

Americans don’t expect the white police officer who killed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri to be charged with murder and oppose the U.S. Justice Department trying to prosecute him after that.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 23% of American Adults believe police officer Darren Wilson should be found guilty of murder in the Brown case. That’s unchanged from mid-August just after the shooting occurred. But now 39% think the officer was acting in self-defense, up from 26% three months ago. Thirty-eight percent (38%) are still undecided, but that compares to 51% in the first survey. (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 telephone survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on November 19-20, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

72% Think Stores Start Christmas Season Too Soon

Walking through any malls or stores across the country right now probably yields a familiar sight—Christmas trees, holiday music and seasonal decorations, and they’ve probably been there since Halloween. But how soon is too soon?

Nearly three-out-of-four American Adults (72%) think stores start the Christmas season too early, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% disagree. (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 November 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.

Americans Plan on Spending More This Holiday Season

Americans are in a more generous mood this holiday season, but they’re off to a slower start when it comes to shopping.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of American Adults have started their holiday shopping already. That’s down slightly from 37% a year ago at this time but a bit better than the 32% who had already begun shopping in mid-November 2012. Sixty-three percent (63%) haven’t got started yet. (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 November 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.