Lifestyle

69% Say Arrival of Spring Puts Them in a Better Mood

Winter feels like it may never end in many parts of the country, and most Americans agree that this has been one of the worst winters ever. Not surprisingly then, seven-out-of-10 say the arrival of spring today lifts their spirits.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults rate the winter of 2013-2014 as one of the worst ever. Thirty percent (30%) think it was about the same as most winters, while 10% consider it one of the best. This past winter, multiple polar vortexes fell over much of the United States, bringing below freezing temperatures to every state. (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 13-14, 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.

6% Consider St. Patrick’s Day One of the Most Important Holidays

Few Americans consider St. Patrick’s Day an important holiday, but adults under 40 are much more likely to celebrate it than their elders.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) of American Adults consider St. Patrick’s Day one of our nation’s most important holidays, while 57% consider it one of the least important. Thirty-four percent (34%) consider today's holiday somewhere in between the two. (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 was conducted on March 13-14, 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.

56% Say Any Good Student Who Wants to Go to College Can Find a Way

Despite the ever-growing cost of attending college, most Americans think anyone who is qualified to go can find a way to do so. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think that, in America today, just about any good student who wants to attend college can find a way to do so. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, but 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 March 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.

62% Say It’s Very Important For Children to Grow Up in Two-Parent Home

Most Americans still believe it's better for children to grow up in a home with both parents, but parents believe this much more strongly than those who don't have kids. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 89% of American Adults feel it’s at least somewhat important that children grow up in a home with both parents, including 62% who say it’s Very Important. But the latter figure has been falling in surveys since June 2010 when 80% said it is Very Important for children to grow up with both parents. Still, just nine percent (9%) say it's not very or Not At All Important for children to grow up in a two-parent environment. (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 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.

20% Rate the News Media As Very Trustworthy

Most Americans still get their news from television and consider the news reported by the media generally trustworthy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults say they get most of their news from TV, including 40% who get it from cable news networks and 19% who get it from the traditional news networks. Twenty-eight percent (28%) use the Internet as their main source of news, while only seven percent (7%) still rely on print newspapers. Four percent (4%) get most of their news from radio. (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 11-12, 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.

Just 27% Think SATs Should Be a Major Factor in College Admission

The College Board has announced that they are revamping the SATs for the second time in a decade. But most Americans don’t think the SATs are an accurate reflection of a student’s abilities, nor do they believe they should be a major factor in college admissions.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 21% of American Adults think that, generally speaking, the results of standardized tests like the SATs are an accurate reflection of a student’s knowledge and intelligence. Sixty-two percent (62%) disagree, while18% 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 March 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.

7% Think Parents Should Be Required to Support Children Over 18

An 18-year old New Jersey high school student who says she was forced to leave home is suing her parents for financial support and college tuition. Her parents claim she left home because she didn’t want to obey their rules. Few Americans believe parents should be required by law to provide financial support for their children after they turn 18, and an overwhelming majority believes parents should be allowed to impose reasonable standards of behavior on children living at home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) of American Adults believe parents should be required by law to provide financial support for their children after they reach the age of 18. Eighty-three percent (83%) disagree. 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 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.

Just 33% See the Purpose of Daylight Saving Time

Americans will be springing forward an hour this weekend for Daylight Saving Time (DST), but fewer think it's worth the effort or even an effective way to save energy.

Only 33% of American Adults think DST is worth the hassle, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That is down from 37% last year at this time and 45% in 2012. Forty-eight percent (48%) do not think the clock changing ritual is worth it, but 19% 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 survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 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.

36% Favor Ban on Plastic Shopping Bags in Their State

Most Americans say they use plastic shopping bags, and they aren't overly keen about efforts to ban or tax their use of those bags.

States including Hawaii, California and Massachusetts have begun banning the use of plastic bags over environmental concerns, and the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults favor such a ban in their state. But 45% are opposed to a ban on disposable plastic bags where they live. Nineteen percent (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on March 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.

Americans Rank Cancer As Nation's Worst Disease

Cancer ranks number one when Americans are asked what's the worst disease they face, while nearly half believe the federal government doesn't spend enough on medical research in general.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Adults consider cancer the worst disease facing Americans today. Heart disease is a distant second, rated worst by 22%, followed by 13% who say diabetes. Alzheimer's disease is rated the worst by nine percent (9%), while two percent (2%) think AIDS is the worst. One percent (1%) list strokes, and four percent (4%) say it's some other unspecified disease. (For 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 American Adults was conducted on March 1-2, 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.

22% Expect a Cure for Alzheimer’s in Next 10 Years

Actor Seth Rogen appeared at a Senate hearing last week to push for a greater government effort to fight Alzheimer's disease. Americans aren't hugely optimistic that a cure for Alzheimer's is coming anytime soon, but most think it will be a private company, not the government, that finds a cure for the disease.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of American Adults think we will find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease within the next 10 years. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree, but a sizable 40% 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on March 1-2, 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.

Only 12% Rarely or Never Check Food Nutrition Labels

The Food and Drug Administration has proposed changes to existing food nutrition labels to make them more consumer-friendly. Most Americans already regularly check these labels but think the changes are likely to help people make even healthier food choices.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults routinely check nutritional labels on the food they eat, with 38% who do it most of the time and 21% who do so always. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say they sometimes check the labels. Just 12% rarely or never check food nutrition labels. (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 February 27-28, 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.

67% Consider Themselves Healthy Eaters

Most Americans say they eat healthy, but one-out-of-five admits to regularly overindulging.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults say they are overweight. That’s little changed from last September and remains below the high of 42% in May 2012. Fifty-six percent (56%) say they are not overweight. (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 February 27-28, 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.

43% Don't Like Circus Clowns

Send in the clowns! Or maybe not since there’s a nationwide clown shortage. For a handful of Americans who have secretly (or not-so-secretly) thought about running away with the circus, now’s their chance.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that six percent (6%) of American Adults have thought about running away with the circus. Eighty-eight percent (88%) have not, but another six percent (6%) 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 February 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.

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.)

(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 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.)

(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 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.)

(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 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.)

(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 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.)

(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.

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.