Lifestyle

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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.

Washington, Lincoln Top the List of Favorite Presidents

This President’s Day, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are among Americans’ favorite presidents, even though few consider it an important national holiday.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just eight percent (8%) of American Adults consider President’s Day, which falls today, one of our nation’s most important holidays, while 33% consider it one of the least important. Most (54%) see it as somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 15-16, 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 Adults Are Indifferent Toward Valentine’s Day

Very few adults consider Valentine’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays, but more than half neither look forward to nor dread the day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of American Adults consider Valentine’s Day one of the nation’s most important holidays. Most (63%) rank it among the least important holidays, while 31% say it’s somewhere in between. Even more say it’s one of the least important holidays than last year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

66% Want Dinner With Someone Special for Valentine’s Day

Most adults aren't planning to send or receive flowers this Valentine's Day, which may be good, since most want something else anyway.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of American Adults want dinner with someone special for Valentine's Day. Just seven percent (7%) want flowers, and just eight percent (8%) want chocolate candy most. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure what they want. (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 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.

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.)

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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.)

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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.

25% Less Likely to Watch “The Tonight Show” After Leno Exit

Late night comedian Jay Leno ended his 22-year run as the host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last week, and Americans view him more favorably than his replacement, Jimmy Fallon. But more than half of adults say the switch from Leno to Fallon won’t impact their decision to watch the long-running show.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 69% of American Adults view Leno at least somewhat favorably, including 28% who have a Very Favorable impression of him. Sixteen percent (16%) view the funnyman unfavorably, with five percent (5%) who view him Very Unfavorably. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults 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.

50 Years Ago Today: 63% Have Seen Beatles Debut on Ed Sullivan Show

Greet the Beatles.

That’s what 73 million Americans did 50 years ago tonight – when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr made their U.S. TV debut on CBS’ Ed Sullivan Show in glorious black and white. Sixty-three percent (63%) of American Adults say they have seen that show, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just one-in-three (34%) have not. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

Figure Skating Is Fan Favorite at Sochi Olympics

Americans are more likely to watch figure skating than any other sport at this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults are most likely to follow figure skating at the winter games. In distant second are hockey and skiing, the favorites of 12% each. Seven percent (7%) each are more likely to follow ski jumping and snow boarding. Eleven percent (11%) will most likely follow some other sport. Seventeen percent (17%) haven't made up their minds yet. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 1-2, 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.

12% Are Less Likely to Watch Sochi Olympics Because of Terrorist Threat

Much of the media attention leading up to the Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Russia has focused on terrorist threats from Islamist militants. But Americans aren’t entirely convinced an attack will happen, and few have been discouraged from watching because of the threat.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults say they are at least somewhat likely to watch some of the Winter Olympics coverage on television, with 39% who are Very Likely to watch. Thirty percent (30%) say they are unlikely to watch, including 12% who are Not At All Likely to tune in. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 1-2, 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.

50% Think Summer Off from School Is Good for Kids

Americans think children need to spend more time in school but not at the expense of summer vacation. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults still think American children need to spend more time in school. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, while 15% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 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.

60% Are Unwilling to Pay More in Taxes to Fund Pre-K Schooling

President Obama in his State of Union address renewed his call for expanded early childhood education, an initiative several states have already devoted funding to. Most Americans agree with the president that mandatory early childhood education is likely to improve student performance but are unwilling to pay any extra money to fund it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of Adults favor mandatory pre-kindergarten schooling for all children in America beginning at age four. Forty-three percent (43%) oppose such a requirement. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 30-31, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

49% Will Watch Super Bowl Intensely, 43% Will Mostly Socialize

It’s Super Bowl Sunday in America, and the day offers a little something for fans and non-fans alike.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults who plan to watch the championship matchup between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks today will do so at home. Twenty-five percent (25%) say they will watch at the home of a friend or relative, while just two percent (2%) will go to a bar or restaurant. (To see survey question wording, click here for sets I and II.)

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Two national surveys each of approximately 600 Adults who plan to watch the Super Bowl were conducted on January 22-23 and 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

34% Find Super Bowl Commercials More Interesting Than the Game

Super Bowl commercials have become a sort of championship of their own, and for one-in-three, they’re more interesting than the game itself. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 34% of adults who plan to watch the Super Bowl think the commercials are more interesting than the game. Still, most viewers (55%) find the actual Super Bowl more interesting, but another 11% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 618 Adults Planning to Watch the Super Bowl was conducted on January 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 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.)

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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.)

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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.

25% Will Vacation This Winter

Despite the cold that's gripping much of the country, Americans say winter is still their least favorable season to take a vacation in.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 12% of American Adults pick winter as their favorite time to vacation. A plurality (41%) still prefers summer as their favorite season for a vacation. Seventeen percent (17%) choose fall, while 14% favor spring. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 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.