Lifestyle

40% Have Favorable Opinion of Teachers Unions

Americans are closely divided on whether it’s good or bad that most public school teachers belong to labor unions and share mixed opinions on those unions in general. But most continue to believe it’s too hard to get rid of bad teachers.

Forty percent (40%) of American Adults have a favorable opinion of teachers unions, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-five percent (45%) view teachers unions unfavorably. These findings include 13% with Very Favorable opinions of teachers unions and 24% with Very Unfavorable ones. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 11-12, 2012 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. 

74% Underestimate Average Teacher Salary in U.S.

Just over half of Americans agree that teachers are paid too little, but three-out-of-four underestimate what the average teacher salary really is.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of American Adults believe public school teachers are paid too little, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 15% believe teachers are paid too much, while 26% say they are paid about the right amount. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 11-12, 2012 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.

Only 24% Think Most Americans Consider Teaching A Desirable Profession

Most adults still feel being a teacher is one of the most important jobs in the country, but even fewer consider it a desirable profession these days.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults say teaching is one of the most important jobs in the United States today. Just one-in-five (20%) disagree, but 13% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 11-12, 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.

46% Say America Less Safe If Only Cops, Military Have Guns

Americans think the United States could use more police officers, although nearly half think the country would be less safe if the police were among the only ones carrying guns.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults believe there are not enough police officers in the United States.  Only seven percent (7%) think there are too many, while 36% feel the number of police is about right. Those who live in the suburbs feel a slightly stronger need for more police than city and rural residents. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 9-10, 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.

65% See Overeating As Bigger Problem for Americans Than Not Enough Food

Most Americans are concerned about the level of hunger in the county today, but they also agree it might be better if a few more of their fellow citizens super-sized a little less often. 

Sixty-five percent (65%) of American Adults think a bigger problem in the country today is that Americans eat too much rather than they don’t eat enough. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone finds that just 15% think it’s a bigger problem that Americans don’t eat enough. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 5-6, 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.

67% Think Too Many Americans Dependent On Government

Americans continue to believe too many of their fellow citizens are dependent on the federal government for financial help, although few say they personally rely on the government.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 67% of American Adults think there are too many in this country who are dependent on the government for financial aid, up slightly from 64% in September of last year.  Eleven percent (11%) says not enough Americans are dependent on this aid. Another 11% feel the level of dependency is about right, down from 16% a year ago.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 5-6, 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.

38% Say Crime Up Where They Live

Most Americans think crime remains a serious problem in the country today, but only one-in-five think the United States is not as safe as most other countries in the world.

Eighty-nine percent (89%) of American Adults say crime is a somewhat serious problem in this country, with 46% who think it’s a Very Serious one. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just nine percent (9%) believe crime is not very or Not At All Serious in America today. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 9-10, 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 Hunger A Very Serious Problem in America

Most Americans see hunger in the country as at least a somewhat serious problem, and nearly half think it is getting worse.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults say hunger in the United States today is at least a somewhat serious problem, including 30% who see it as a Very Serious one. Just 28% don’t think hunger's a serious problem, with five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Serious.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 5-6, 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. 

49ers Once Again Early Super Bowl Favorites In A Crowded Field

For the second year in a row, football fans predict the San Francisco 49ers will win Super Bowl XLVIII. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of Football Fans say the 49ers, last year’s runner-up, will win the Super Bowl.  In a distant second are the Denver Broncos with 14%.  The New England Patriots are seen as this year’s eventual champions by nine percent (9%), while nearly as many (8%) think the Green Bay Packers will win it all.  Seven percent (7%) say the same of the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins.  No other team surveyed reached five percent (5%) support.  (Please click here to find out the rest of the teams surveyed).

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The national survey of 1,000 Football Fans was conducted on September 3-4, 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.

70% Say They Are in Good Health

Most Americans believe they are healthy, although just over one-in-three admits to being overweight.

Seventy percent (70%) of American Adults rate their own overall health as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This is generally unchanged from surveys for the past three years. Just seven percent (7%) say they are in poor health. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 30-31, 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 Federal Government Should Regulate School Food

With school back in session for most children, first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign is back in the spotlight, but only 18% of Americans think the federal government should have a say in nutritional standards at schools.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Adults believe school nutritional standards should be set locally, with 36% who feel parent-teacher groups should do it and 16% who believe it should be up to local governments. This marks a seven-point shift in favor of local control from 45% in March who favored parent-teacher groups or local governments making the call. Fourteen percent (14%) think state governments should set the standards. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 30-31, 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.

76% Think Unvaccinated Children Will Cause Health Problems For Others

As children across the country head back to school, vaccinations are another requirement many parents have to address along with books and supplies. Most parents continue to report their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations, but half of Americans remain concerned about the safety of these preventative measures.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of all American Adults say they are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of vaccinations for children, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That includes 28% who are Very Concerned. Forty-four percent (44%) are not as concerned about childhood vaccines, including 17% who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 28-29, 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% Now Use Online Movie Streaming Services

Despite the growing popularity of online movie streaming services such as Netflix, most Americans are still more likely to watch a film on network or cable TV. 

Just 14% of American Adults rarely or never watch movies at home, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-three percent (23%) watch a film at home at least once a week, while another 30% do so at least once a month. Thirty-one percent (31%) say they only occasionally watch movies at home.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 22-23, 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.

68% Think School Children Should Say Pledge of Allegiance Every Morning

The Massachusetts Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow challenging the legality of the Pledge of Allegiance. But most Americans continue to believe the daily Pledge of Allegiance to the flag should be kept in schools and that it should include the words “under God.”

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults believe students should be required to say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school. One-in-four (25%) do not think children should be required to say the daily pledge. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 28-29, 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.

35% Celebrate Labor Day to Honor Working Americans

For most Americans, Labor Day is not a very important holiday, but one-in-three still view it as a celebration of the working man as it was originally intended.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults regard Labor Day as one of the nation’s most important holidays. Nearly as many (19%) consider it one of the least important holidays. For 57%, it’s somewhere in between. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 26-27, 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% Favor Sales Tax Holidays

Eighteen states currently offer a “sales tax holiday” – a brief suspension of sales taxes – at this time of year to encourage back-to-school shopping, and most Americans like the idea.

Fifty-seven percent of American Adults favor these so-called sales tax holidays, while 20% are opposed, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty-three percent (23%) are undecided. These findings show little change from two years ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

56% Say Their Family Displays Flag on Most National Holidays

Most Americans say their family regularly flies the U.S. flag on important holidays and don’t think anyone should be able to stop them unless it’s a public safety issue. Americans also strongly believe school children should be required to honor the flag every morning.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of American Adults say they or a member of their family regularly displays the American flag on most national holidays, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) say their family does not display the flag on these days. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 28-29, 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% Favor School Uniform Requirement

An increasing number of public schools are requiring their students to wear uniforms, and opposition to such a requirement has fallen. 

Forty-one percent (41%) of American Adults think students should be required to wear uniforms to school, generally unchanged in surveys since August 2008. Forty-seven percent (47%) oppose a school uniform requirement, but that's down from 50% last year and 53% in 2011. Twelve percent (12%) remain undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

59% of Moviegoers Say Storyline Matters Most

Though less than half of Americans go to the movies at least occasionally, those that do go for the storytelling above all else.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 52% of Adults rarely or never go to the movies. Thirty-three percent (33%) go to the movies occasionally, while 14% go at least once a month. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 22-23, 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. 

40% Say Economy Forced Them To Cut Back Vacation Spending

Most Americans did not take a summer vacation this year, but fewer of those who did are citing the economy as a reason they cut back on spending. 

Thirty-six percent (36%) of American Adults say they took a summer vacation this year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Sixty-three percent (63%) did not.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 26-27, 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.