The study of What Americans Believe, conducted by Penn Schoen Berland for The Aspen Ideas Festival in partnership with The Atlantic and the Aspen Institute, provides a detailed assessment of what Americans say their values are. From death to taxes, the economy to politics, family, religion, science, education, free speech and beyond, this survey of 2,000 Americans identifies the issues that divide us and the ties that unite us as a nation.

1. The Atlantic / Aspen Institute
American Values Survey
1

2. Survey Objectives
The study of What Americans Believe, conducted by Penn
Schoen Berland for The Aspen Ideas Festival in partnership
with The Atlantic and the Aspen Institute, provides a detailed
assessment of what Americans say their values are. From
death to taxes, the economy to politics, family, religion,
science, education, free speech and beyond, this survey of
2,000 Americans identifies the issues that divide us and the
ties that unite us as a nation.
2

3. Survey Methodology
§ From May 25, 2012 to June 6, 2012, Penn Schoen Berland conducted 2,006 interviews
with the adult general population of the United States. Of the 2,006 interviews
completed, 1,006 interviews were conducted by phone and 1,000 interviews were
conducted online.
Sample
Size Margin
of
Error
General
Popula,on
(All),
including: 2,006 ±2.19%
Male 963 ±3.16%
Female 1,043 ±3.03%
Age
18-­‐29 441 ±4.67%
Age
30-­‐44 542 ±4.21%
Age
45-­‐64 682 ±3.75%
Age
65+ 341 ±5.31%
Democrats 622 ±3.93%
Republicans 542 ±4.21%
Independents 782 ±3.50%
Northeast 361 ±5.16%
Midwest 441 ±4.67%
South 722 ±3.65%
West 481 ±4.47%
§ The data presented in this study are reflective of U.S. Census Bureau demographic
statistics in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, income, education, and region.
3

4. Our values in decline
4

5. Two thirds think the country is heading in the
wrong direction
Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right
direction or in the wrong direction?
Right direction Wrong direction Don't Know
33% 63% 4%
2012
27% 65% 8%
2011; Rasmussen
31% 64% 5%
2010; Rasmussen
32% 62% 6%
2009; Rasmussen Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Right direction 33 35 31 37 32 33 28 55 10 32 35 32 32 32
Wrong direction 63 61 65 59 64 64 65 41 88 64 62 61 66 62
Don’t know 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 4 3 4 2 7 2 5
5

6. 7 in 10 think peoples’ values have been getting
worse in America
Would you say that people’s values in America have been getting better, getting
worse, or staying about the same over the past 10 years?
Getting better Staying the same Getting worse Don't know
9% 21% 70% 1%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Getting better 9 10 8 15 7 7 8 11 6 10 10 8 8 9
Getting worse 70 68 71 66 71 71 71 62 82 67 69 69 70 71
Staying the same 21 21 20 19 21 21 20 27 12 22 20 22 21 19
Don’t know 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1
6

7. A majority think their generation is worse off than
their parents’ generation
Are people in your generation better off or worse off than people in your parents’
generation?
Better Same Worse Don't know
34% 14% 51% 1%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Better 34 37 31 26 26 36 53 41 29 31 33 35 37 29
Same 14 14 14 16 17 12 11 14 13 15 11 13 14 17
Worse 51 47 54 57 56 51 34 43 58 52 55 51 48 52
Don’t know 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 0 2 1 1 2 2
7

8. Most think American values have declined
since the 1970’s
Do you think that American values have strengthened, declined, or stayed about the
same since the 1970’s?
Stronger Stayed the same Weaker Don't know
17% 12% 69% 1%
Showing All
8

9. Most think American values have declined since
the 1940’s
Do you think that American values have strengthened, declined, or stayed about the
same since the 1940’s?
Stronger Stayed the same Weaker Don't know
17% 13% 68% 3%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Stronger 17 18 15 23 11 15 19 24 5 19 16 16 16 18
Weaker 68 67 70 60 71 72 67 59 87 63 68 69 71 65
Stayed about the same 13 12 13 14 15 10 11 16 6 14 14 12 12 12
Don’t know 3 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 4 1 3 1 5
9

10. Nearly half expect American values to weaken over the
next decade
Do you think American values will grow stronger, weaker, or stay about the same
over the next ten years?
Stronger Staying the same Weaker Don't know
23% 29% 46% 2%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Stronger 23 24 22 29 18 21 28 29 16 23 24 22 23 23
Weaker 46 47 45 46 54 45 35 37 57 46 43 50 46 43
Stay the same 29 26 31 23 27 31 33 32 24 29 31 26 28 30
Don’t know 2 3 2 1 1 3 3 2 4 2 2 1 3 3
10

11. Over half say they are more open and tolerant than
their parents
How are your values different from your parents? Please indicate all that apply.
I’m more open to new ideas 62%
I’m more tolerant of other people or cultures 53%
I’m more socially liberal 33%
I’m more liberal in my political views 31%
I’m less religious 29%
I’m more conservative in my political views 25%
I’m more socially conservative 22%
I’m more religious 21%
Other 3%
None of the above 7%
Showing All
11

12. Over half say they are more open and tolerant
than their parents
§ Younger Americans are less likely to say they’re more conservative or more religious than
their parents
How are your values Political
Gender Age Region
different from your parents? Affiliation
All
Please indicate all that
18-2 30-4 45-6
apply. M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W
9 4 4
I’m more open to new ideas 62 60 64 61 62 60 65 66 53 64 65 60 61 63
I’m more tolerant of other people or
53 52 54 57 51 50 59 58 46 54 48 55 53 56
cultures
I’m more socially liberal 33 33 33 36 32 32 35 46 19 33 38 29 33 35
I’m more liberal in my political views 31 31 30 34 28 31 29 45 18 27 34 26 30 33
I’m less religious 29 32 26 34 34 26 20 32 20 32 31 25 24 37
I’m more conservative in my political
25 30 21 15 22 28 40 18 38 23 21 25 30 23
views
I’m more socially conservative 22 23 21 16 19 24 31 18 30 20 17 20 24 24
I’m more religious 21 20 21 11 16 24 34 18 25 20 15 23 25 16
Other 3 4 2 1 4 3 4 1 3 5 3 5 3 2
None of the above 7 7 8 7 9 8 3 6 11 6 7 7 7 8
12

13. Well documented changes on social tolerance
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally acceptable or
morally objectionable.
Morally acceptable Morally objectionable
A woman with children working outside the home 90%
9%
Using contraception 84%
13%
Interracial marriage 83%
15%
Sex education in public schools 78%
21%
An unmarried man and woman living together 69%
30%
Divorce 69%
29%
Stem cell research 69%
26%
Capital punishment 64%
32%
Gambling 61%
37%
Pre-marital sex 60%
39% Showing All
Having a child out of wedlock 57%
40%
13

14. Homosexuality is now morally acceptable to a
majority while pornography and drug usage are not
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally acceptable or
morally objectionable.
Morally acceptable Morally objectionable
Homosexuality 53%
45%
Adults viewing pornography 47%
52%
Abortion 41%
57%
Smoking marijuana 41%
56%
Censoring explicit books or media 38%
58%
Doctor-assisted suicide 37%
60%
Prostitution 22%
77%
Cloning designed to result in the birth of a human 18%
being 79%
Underage drinking 14%
85%
Using illegal drugs (other than marijuana) 11%
89%
Showing All
Athletes using performance enhancing drugs 10%
89%
14

15. Most Americans and especially younger
generations accept alternative lifestyles
Please indicate whether each of the following is morally acceptable or
morally objectionable.
% Morally Acceptable
18-29 65+
76%
62%
52% 52%
45%
36% 36%
21%
An unmarried man and Homosexuality Smoking marijuana Abortion
woman living together
15

16. Majority prefer Americans have a broad range of
values
Which of the following is closer to your view?
It’s important that America would be
there be a broad better if we all
range of values shared the same
represented in fundamental
America, because values, since
it causes us to 57% 39% there would be
reevaluate our more
own values and compromises and
leads to societal less social
Showing All
progress conflict
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Broad range of values
57 57 58 66 60 56 47 65 46 59 60 55 54 63
represented in America
Shared the same
39 40 39 33 39 42 43 32 48 39 38 41 41 35
fundamental values
Don’t know 3 4 3 1 1 3 10 3 5 2 1 4 4 2
16

17. Core American Values
17

18. Family and K-12 education have the greatest
influence on our values
Family
Only a litte A fair amount A great deal None at all
Higher
Friends education News Showing All
media Television
and movies Social media
33% 31% 20%
& the internet
46% 45% 39% 20%
73% 25% 11% Political
20% satirists
31% 26% 24% 14% 8% 6%
37% 40% 31% 24%
33% 33% 17% 16% 16%
32%
20% 30% 31% 33% 26%
20% 19% 21% 24% 23% 25%
14% 13% 17%
6%
1% 6% 8% 8% 9% 10%
The schools
19% 21% 22%
Books Religious 31% 31%
you attended 44% 43%
teachings Religious
48%
K through 12
leaders Political
leaders
Celebrities &
Political
professional
When you think of how we learn what "right and wrong" means, athletes
commentators
how much of an influence would you say the following sources
had or continue to have on developing your beliefs?
18

19. Obama, Clinton best represent American
values today
Whom do you think best represents American values today?
Showing All
19

20. Core American values of freedom are
reaffirmed
Which, if any, of these factors do you think contributes to America having stronger
values than other places in the world? Please tell me all that apply.
Freedom of speech 67%
Freedom of religion 61%
Free enterprise system 50%
Principles of equality 50%
The system laid out in our Constitution 50%
America’s ability to change and adapt 46%
Our form of government 44%
Upward mobility/ability to pull oneself up by bootstraps 44%
Being a melting pot / immigrant nation 42%
Christian heritage 40%
America’s influence in the world 39%
The influence of many religions 37%
Other 2%
None of the above 6%
Showing All
20

21. Freedom of speech and religion contribute to our
stronger values
Which, if any, of these Political
factors do you think Gender Age Region
Affiliation
contributes to America
All
having stronger values than
18-2 30-4 45-6
other places in the world? M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W
9 4 4
Please tell me all that apply.
Freedom of speech 67 67 67 64 64 68 74 67 65 69 65 67 68 67
Freedom of religion 61 60 62 55 56 62 75 59 66 59 56 63 62 62
Free enterprise system 50 53 47 36 47 55 61 48 55 48 45 44 54 52
Principles of equality 50 52 49 46 50 52 55 52 50 49 49 45 55 49
The system laid out in our
50 55 46 39 46 54 63 44 59 49 43 47 54 54
Constitution
America’s ability to change and
46 48 45 43 41 48 54 47 45 46 45 43 48 47
adapt
Our form of government 44 46 41 37 41 44 54 43 48 40 43 40 48 40
Upward mobility / the ability to pull
44 46 41 38 43 44 52 43 47 42 35 41 47 48
oneself up by the bootstraps
Being a melting pot / immigrant
42 45 40 38 43 45 42 46 38 42 42 41 41 45
nation
Christian heritage 40 40 40 30 38 44 51 31 55 37 32 40 47 37
America’s influence in the world 39 39 38 35 39 39 43 41 39 36 38 32 41 42
The influence of many religions 37 37 38 34 35 37 46 39 33 38 36 38 37 39
Other 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 3 2 1
None of the above 6 5 6 4 9 6 1 5 5 7 6 6 6 5
21

22. Younger generations differ on importance of
free enterprise system
Which, if any, of these factors do you think contributes to America having stronger
values than other places in the world? Please tell me all that apply.
% say free enterprise system contributes to strong
American values
55% 61%
47%
36%
18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
22

23. Freedom of speech primarily extended to
voting and freedom of information
Which of the following do you think should be protected by the freedom of speech?
Please indicate all that apply.
Voting 70%
Freedom of information 64%
Commercial speech, such as advertising 48%
Freedom from internet censorship 46%
Donating money on political campaigns 37%
Viewing pornography 31%
Release of information pertaining to national security 31%
Hate speech (religious, racial, sexual orientation, etc) 27%
Flag-burning 27%
"Fighting words," or speech intended to incite crime 19%
Slander (false speech intended to harm another person) 18%
Other 2%
Showing All
None of the above 9%
23

24. Freedom of speech by sub-group
Which of the following do Political
you think should be Gender Age Region
Affiliation
protected by the freedom of
speech? Please indicate all All 18-2 30-4 45-6
M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W
that apply. 9 4 4
Voting 70 71 69 69 71 70 70 71 70 68 68 73 66 74
Freedom of information 64 63 65 61 66 66 59 67 60 65 66 62 63 66
Commercial speech, such as
48 47 48 53 45 47 45 48 48 47 47 51 49 44
advertising
Freedom from internet censorship 46 52 41 51 49 44 40 51 43 45 47 46 47 45
Donating money on political
37 38 37 33 40 38 35 34 42 36 36 34 39 38
campaigns
Viewing pornography 31 39 23 35 35 27 26 32 24 33 34 36 26 30
Release of information pertaining to
31 30 31 28 32 31 31 34 25 32 27 29 33 31
national security
Hate speech (religious, racial,
27 29 25 26 29 25 28 23 25 30 27 24 28 26
sexual orientation, etc.)
Flag-burning 27 30 24 24 32 27 22 27 22 30 24 30 26 28
“Fighting words," or speech intended
19 19 20 21 22 16 21 20 17 20 20 15 21 21
to incite crime
Slander (false speech intended to
18 20 16 18 17 18 20 17 17 19 19 17 19 17
harm another person)
Other 2 2 2 0 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1
None of the above 9 9 8 6 8 10 10 7 9 10 10 8 10 6
24

25. Over half think freedom of speech should apply to
offensive language
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Americans should
have the right to
say, write, or The freedom of
otherwise speech should
demonstrate what 56% 43% not apply to
they believe, even deeply offensive
if it is deeply language
offensive to most
people Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Americans should have
the right to say, write,
or otherwise
demonstrate what they 56 58 53 59 63 54 43 55 53 57 50 52 58 59
believe, even if it is
deeply offensive to
most people
The freedom of speech
should not apply to
43 40 46 41 36 45 53 43 46 41 49 46 41 38
deeply offensive
language
Don’t know 2 2 2 1 1 1 4 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
25

26. Only 20% believe that people are generally
altruistic
Which of the following is closer to your view?
That people are
That people are
generally
generally 20% 77% motivated by self
altruistic
interest
Showing All
Political
Gender Age Region Income Race
Affiliation
All 18-2 30-4 45-6 < 35k- Whit Blac Hisp
M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W 75k+
9 4 4 35k 75k e k anic
That people are
20 19 21 19 17 19 31 23 20 19 21 22 19 19 21 19 22 22 21 13
generally altruistic
That people are
generally motivated by 77 78 76 80 82 78 65 76 79 77 76 74 78 79 77 78 76 76 78 81
self interest
Don't know 3 3 2 1 2 3 5 2 2 4 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 2 1 6
26

27. Political corruption, focus on money and declining
family values weakens American values
Which, if any, of these factors do you think contributes to America having weaker
values than other places in the world? Please tell me all that apply.
Political corruption 63%
Influence of money in politics 61%
Too much focus on money / material things 61%
Declining family values 61%
Celebrity-obsessed culture 57%
Scandals by public officials 55%
Use of drugs and alcohol 55%
Lack of strong moral leaders / role models 53%
Apathy / lack of strong work ethic 47%
Too much political correctness 47%
Power of Wall Street 43%
Openness to accepting alternate lifestyles 30%
Other 3% Showing All
None of the above 3%
27

28. Political corruption weakens American values
Which, if any, of these Political
factors do you think Gender Age Region
Affiliation
contributes to America
All
having weaker values than
18-2 30-4 45-6
other places in the world? M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W
9 4 4
Please tell me all that apply.
Political corruption 63 64 62 57 61 66 67 59 63 66 61 66 61 64
Influence of money in politics 61 62 59 53 60 60 71 58 60 63 59 62 61 60
Too much focus on money / material
61 58 63 65 57 59 63 62 55 62 60 59 61 62
things
Declining family values 61 60 63 52 62 64 65 51 74 60 58 62 64 59
Celebrity-obsessed culture 57 57 57 58 58 57 52 53 62 56 58 55 57 59
Scandals by public officials 55 55 56 49 52 58 63 50 60 55 52 57 57 53
Use of drugs and alcohol 55 54 55 46 51 57 67 53 61 51 55 54 54 56
Lack of strong moral leaders / role
53 55 51 44 53 55 62 44 65 52 49 54 56 51
models
Apathy / lack of strong work ethic 47 48 47 41 46 53 46 40 54 47 47 46 49 45
Too much political correctness 47 52 43 37 45 49 58 40 55 47 42 48 47 50
Power of Wall Street 43 47 40 43 40 43 49 46 34 45 46 44 40 44
Openness to accepting alternate
30 30 29 23 27 33 35 24 40 27 25 30 33 27
lifestyles
Other 3 4 2 2 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 2 3 3
None of the above 3 4 3 3 5 4 2 4 3 4 2 4 3 5
28

29. 68% think the media has a negative impact on
American values
Do you think the media has a positive, negative, or no impact on American values?
Positive No impact Negative Don't know
18% 12% 68% 2%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Positive 18 18 17 15 13 17 33 24 17 14 21 15 19 16
Negative 68 68 68 72 73 67 55 63 74 67 66 71 64 71
No impact 12 12 12 11 14 14 7 10 9 17 11 12 13 12
Don't know 2 1 3 1 0 3 5 3 1 2 2 1 3 1
29

30. Americans are split on whether our values are
stronger or weaker than the rest of the world
Do you think that American values in general are stronger, weaker, or about the same
as in the rest of the world?
Stronger About the same Weaker Don't know
36% 28% 33% 4%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
TOTAL STRONGER 36 37 35 31 31 36 48 37 40 30 35 33 37 35
Much stronger 12 12 12 10 10 11 18 14 12 9 10 8 13 14
Somewhat stronger 24 25 23 21 21 25 30 23 28 21 25 25 24 21
About the same 28 25 31 32 34 26 19 27 24 33 30 26 28 30
TOTAL WEAKER 33 34 32 36 34 34 22 33 34 31 32 37 31 32
Somewhat weaker 23 22 24 26 23 24 17 23 24 22 25 26 21 22
Much weaker 10 12 8 10 11 10 5 10 10 9 7 11 10 10
Don’t know 4 4 3 2 1 4 10 3 3 5 3 4 4 3
30

31. Half think America should not concern itself with
values of other countries
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Showing All
51%
31%
15%
America should focus on trying to America should try to learn from the Neither – America has its own
spread our values to other values of other countries around values and should not concern
countries around the world the world itself with the values of other
countries
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Spread our values 15 13 17 8 18 13 25 15 19 13 12 13 20 13
Try to learn from the
31 34 29 45 34 26 20 36 23 32 31 28 30 37
values of other countries
Neither 51 51 51 46 47 59 50 46 55 53 55 56 49 47
Don’t know 2 1 3 1 1 2 5 2 2 2 2 4 1 2
31

32. American values are most similar to those of the
U.K., France
How similar or different do you think American values are from those of
the following countries?
Different Similar Don't know
Showing All
64%
39% 34% 25%
24% 15% 14%
11% 5% 9% 5%
4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 2% 7% 4% 3%
33%
57% 62%
73% 68%
United 81% 87% 83% 88%
Kingdom 93% 92%
France
Israel
Brazil
Mexico
Russia India
China Egypt
Iran North
Korea
32

33. Nearly 9 in 10 think the U.S. should focus on
domestic issues rather than international issues
In your opinion, what is more important for the United States to focus on in the next
decade?
Domestic issues International affairs Don't Know
88% 10% 2%
2012
83% 12% 5%
2011 Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Domestic issues 88 87 89 85 92 89 83 87 91 86 88 91 85 89
International issues 10 10 9 14 7 9 11 10 7 11 10 6 12 9
Don’t know 2 3 2 1 1 2 6 2 2 2 2 2 3 1
Showing
All
33

34. Family values
34

35. Family and moral values are the most
important in Americans' lives
Which of the following types of values do you consider to be most
important in your life?
Family values 41%
Moral values 31%
Religious values 17%
Ethnic or cultural values 3%
Values about beauty and art 2%
Political values 1%
Other 2%
Showing All
None of the above 2%
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Family values 41 41 42 41 46 37 42 42 35 45 44 41 40 42 47 38
Moral values 31 29 34 30 30 33 32 32 31 32 35 29 31 31 27 34
Religious values 17 17 16 13 13 21 19 12 27 13 10 18 21 14 17 16
Ethnic or cultural values 3 4 3 5 3 3 3 6 2 3 5 5 2 3 2 4
Values about beauty and art 2 2 1 6 1 1 0 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 2 2
Political values 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 2 1 1
Other 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 2
None of the above 2 2 2 2 3 2 0 2 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 1
Don't know 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 1
35

36. Two thirds lament the loss of traditional
family life, calling its loss damaging to society
The percentage of traditional families (with a married husband, wife, and potentially
children living together) among Americans has declined significantly over the past
several years. Do you think this has a positive, negative, or no particular impact on
American society?
Positive No impact Negative Don't know
11% 24% 64% 1%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent
All M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
Positive 11 11 12 13 10 11 12 13 8 13 9 11 10 15 12 11
Negative 64 62 66 56 64 66 72 60 79 57 59 67 66 61 61 65
No impact 24 25 23 31 26 21 14 27 12 30 31 21 22 23 26 22
Don't know 1 2 0 0 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 1 1
36

37. 8 in 10 parents think it is tougher to be a
parent today
IF PARENT: Is it tougher to be a parent today than it was for your parents?
Yes No Don't know
81% 17% 2%
Showing All; N= 729
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 D R I NE MW S W
Yes 81 76 86 74 80 88 79 87 79 78 82 83 80
No 17 22 12 23 18 9 19 11 18 20 15 15 18
Don't know 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2
37

38. Parents want more time with their kids but
daycare does not hinder success
39%
of
Parents
say
they
are
not
able
to
spend
as
&
much
,me
with
their
children
as
49%
of
Dads
they
want
to.
Believe
children
can
grow
up
to
be
51%
of
successful
even
if
they
spend
a
majority
of
their
developmental
years
in
day
care
Americans
or
other
child-­‐care
services.
38

39. 39% of parents, and half of dads, want
to spend more time with their children
IF PARENT: Are you able to spend as much time with your children as you want to?
Yes No Don't know
59% 39% 2%
Showing All; N= 729
Political
Gender Age Region Income Race
Affiliation
All
18-2 30-4 45-6 <35 35k- Hispa
M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W 75k+ White Black nic
9 4 4 K 75k
Yes 59 48 69 68 51 63 97 63 55 60 58 64 59 56 64 62 54 60 63 57
No 39 49 30 25 49 36 3 34 45 37 42 35 40 38 34 36 44 39 35 39
Don't know 2 3 1 7 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 0 2 6 1 2 2 1 1 4
39

40. One-third of parents say their child has been a
target of bullying
IF PARENT: Has your child ever been a target of bullying?
Yes No Don't know
33% 66% 1%
Showing All; N= 729
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 33 27 38 24 40 30 11 35 29 33 33 39 33 26
No 66 71 62 71 60 70 89 63 70 66 67 61 66 70
Don't know 1 2 1 5 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 4
40

41. 76% of parents are focused on their children’s
future success
IF PARENT: Which of the following is more important to you?
Making sure my Preparing my
child is happy 22% 76% child for success
now in the future
Showing All; N= 729
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Making sure my child is
22 21 23 29 18 20 65 24 18 24 24 21 23 20
happy now
Preparing my child for
76 76 75 71 79 75 35 75 78 75 73 79 74 76
success in the future
Don't know 2 3 2 0 2 4 0 1 4 1 3 0 3 4
41

42. Education system is an American value and should
prepare students for success and hard work
76%
Of parents are more focused on preparing their children for
success in the future than making sure their child is happy now
82%
Believe that the public education system is a central
American value
Which of these do you think should be the primary goal of public schools in America?
Instilling students with the values of dedication
and hard work 27%
Preparing students for successful careers 26%
Instilling students with the most academic
knowledge 18%
Preparing students to be active, engaged citizens 12%
Helping students get into the best colleges 6% Showing All
Helping students live happy lives 4%
Other 3%
42

43. Primary goal of public schools by sub-group
Political
Which of these do you think should be the Gender Age Region
Affiliation
primary goal of public schools in America?
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Instilling students with the values of dedication
27 27 27 24 26 29 30 23 32 28 27 25 31 24
and hard work
Preparing students for successful careers 26 29 24 29 27 26 23 28 21 29 23 25 25 32
Instilling students with the most academic
18 19 18 19 20 18 15 18 21 17 21 24 17 13
knowledge
Preparing students to be active, engaged
12 9 14 9 13 13 11 14 11 10 15 13 9 10
citizens
Helping students get into the best colleges 6 6 7 9 6 6 6 7 8 5 5 5 7 8
Helping students live happy lives 4 4 4 8 3 2 4 4 3 5 4 2 4 7
Other 3 4 3 0 2 4 8 2 2 6 3 3 5 2
None of the above 1 1 2 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 3
Don't know 1 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 0 0 0 3 0 0
43

44. 8 in 10 think public education is a central
American value
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Public education
The public
is not an
education system
American value,
is a central
and is not
American value
82%
15% necessary to
that ensures an
ensure Americans
opportunity for
have an
success for all
opportunity for
Americans
Showing All success
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No
The public education
system is a central 82 81 83 79 80 86 82 86 80 80 84 80 83 82 82 82
American value
Public education is not an
15 15 15 16 17 13 13 13 17 15 16 13 15 16 16 14
American value
Don't know 3 4 2 5 3 1 5 2 2 5 0 7 3 2 1 4
44

45. Americans perceive public schools in their
district to be better than schools nationally
What grade would you give the public schools in the nation as a whole / in
your district? – A, B, C, D, or FAIL?
Grade
for
public
schools
na1onally
Grade
for
public
schools
in
your
district
C
45%
B
33%
30%
22%
11% 13% 11%
17%
10% 2%
3% 3%
A B C D FAIL Don't
A B C D FAIL Don't know
know
45

46. Almost half give our public schools a “C”
grade
And what about the public schools in the nation as a whole? What grade
would you give the public schools nationally – A, B, C, D, or FAIL?
A 3%
2%
B 17%
22%
C 45%
47%
D 22%
2012 13%
2002 FAIL 10%
3%
Don't know 3%
13% Showing All
2002; Gallup
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
All 18-2 30-4 45-6 35k-7
M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k 75k+
9 4 4 5k
A 3 6 2 8 0 3 4 4 4 2 3 3 2 5 5 5 1
B 17 15 19 20 20 15 15 20 14 17 14 21 19 15 22 15 15
C 45 47 42 40 47 47 41 49 44 43 51 41 44 44 40 41 55
D 22 18 25 21 21 24 20 18 24 24 22 18 24 21 24 23 22
FAIL 10 13 8 10 11 10 12 7 13 11 7 12 9 13 6 14 7
Don't know 3 1 4 2 0 2 9 2 1 3 2 4 2 2 3 2 1
46

47. “B” is most common grade for local public
schools
Using the scale of A, B, C, D, or FAIL, what grade would you give the
public schools in your district?
A 11%
10%
B 33%
37%
C 30%
34%
2012
D 13%
2002 10%
FAIL 11%
3%
Don't know 2%
6% Showing All
2002; Gallup
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income
All 18-2 30-4 45-6 < 35k-
M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W 75k+
9 4 4 35k 75k
A 11 11 12 10 10 13 13 10 16 8 12 15 14 4 10 11 14
B 33 30 35 33 37 29 32 36 30 32 46 33 28 29 31 28 38
C 30 34 27 32 28 32 28 29 28 33 27 26 33 32 31 32 31
D 13 13 13 13 11 15 12 12 13 15 7 14 13 18 15 15 10
FAIL 11 10 11 11 13 9 9 11 10 10 7 11 10 14 11 13 6
Don't know 2 2 2 1 1 1 5 2 2 1 2 2 1 3 1 2 2
47

48. Half think children can be successful even if they
spend their developmental years in day care
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Children can grow
Children can only
up to be
grow up to be
successful even if
successful if they
they spend a
spend a majority
majority of their 51% 45% of their
developmental
developmental
years in day care
years being cared
or other child-
for by a parent
care services Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Majority of their
developmental years in day
51 48 53 54 52 50 44 56 46 51 53 56 50 46
care or other child-care
services
Majority of their
developmental years being 45 48 42 46 44 45 46 40 51 44 43 40 47 49
cared for by a parent
Don't know 4 3 5 0 4 5 9 4 3 5 4 4 4 5
48

49. Majority think it is better for both members of
a household to work
Do you think it is better for both members of a household to work in paying jobs, or
is it better when only one spouse works?
3%
31% Both
Only one
67%
Don't know
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income Parent
All 35k –
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k 75k+ Yes No
75k
Both 67 67 67 78 63 66 58 75 60 65 70 65 68 63 77 58 66 59 72
Only one 31 31 30 21 36 30 37 23 37 32 29 32 29 33 21 38 31 39 25
Don't know 3 2 3 1 2 4 5 2 2 3 1 4 2 4 2 4 3 2 3
49

50. Our values in healthcare and
science
50

51. 69% say ensuring access to healthcare is the
responsibility of the government
Do you think it is the responsibility of the government to make sure that
all Americans have...?
No Yes
71% 69% 68%
47% 46% 40%
29% 31% 31%
51% 53% 59%
Enough food Access to A high school
healthcare education
coverage
A home to live in A job
A college
Showing All education
51

52. Responsibility of the government by sub-
group
§ Younger Americans demonstrate far stronger support for government
involvement in healthcare
Do you think it is the Political
responsibility of the Gender Age Region
Affiliation
government to make sure
that all Americans have...? All 18-2 30-4 45-6
M F 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Showing % Yes 9 4 4
Enough food 71 65 75 82 69 69 60 86 47 74 81 69 64 74
Access to healthcare coverage 69 67 70 81 70 66 55 90 42 69 75 69 61 74
A high school education 68 65 71 76 68 65 66 83 51 69 77 62 62 77
A home to live in 47 45 50 62 42 48 37 64 27 48 57 45 43 48
A job 46 42 51 61 40 42 45 60 30 47 46 49 42 51
A college education 40 37 42 57 36 36 34 53 24 40 35 41 40 44
52

53. 54% say the government should exert more
influence over healthcare system
Which of the following is closer to your view?
The government The government
should exert more should reduce the
influence over amount of
America’s influence it has
healthcare over America’s
system, in an 54% 44% healthcare
attempt to lower system, because
costs and provide a more free-
healthcare market system
coverage for all Showing All will bring costs
Americans down
% say the government should exert more influence over America’s
healthcare system
76%
55%
26%
Democrats Republicans Independents
53

54. 3 in 4 say those with pre-existing conditions
should not be denied coverage
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Health insurance Pre-existing
should be conditions can be
required to very expensive,
provide care for and health
people who have 77%
20% insurers or the
pre-existing government
conditions, even should not be
if the government required to pay
has to pay for it Showing All for them
% say health insurance should be required to provide care for
people who have pre-existing conditions
88% 78%
62%
Democrats Republicans Independents
54

55. 59% think contraception should be covered under
employer health plans
Should employer-provided health insurance plans be required to cover
contraception?
Yes No Don't Know
59% 40% 2%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 59 49 68 70 63 56 39 76 39 59 62 55 56 62
No 40 49 31 28 36 43 55 22 61 38 36 42 42 36
Don’t know 2 3 1 2 1 0 6 2 0 2 1 2 2 2
55

56. Most feel excited when they read about a major
scientific advancement
When you read about a major scientific advancement in the news, do you usually feel
more excited or more nervous?
8%
Excited
34% Nervous
58% Don't know
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Excited 58 64 53 54 58 59 61 63 60 54 64 60 56 55
Nervous 34 28 40 42 35 33 25 33 30 37 31 32 34 39
Don't know 8 8 7 4 7 8 13 4 11 9 5 8 10 7
56

57. 42% think science and religion generally conflict
with each other
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Showing All
2005 2012 2005; CNN/ USA Today/
Gallup Poll
42%
35%
36%
35%
24%
20%
Science and religion generally Science and religion generally Science and religion are not
agree with each other conflict with each other related in any meaningful way
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Science and religion generally agree with
20 23 18 20 20 20 23 18 26 18 22 18 22 20
each other
Science and religion generally conflict with
42 38 45 49 47 39 32 45 41 40 40 44 39 45
each other
Science and religion are not related in any
35 34 35 29 31 40 37 34 33 37 36 34 35 33
meaningful way
Don't know 3 4 2 2 1 2 9 3 1 5 2 3 4 2
57

58. A majority support stem-cell research
Some people support stem-cell research, saying it's an important way to find
treatments for many diseases. Other people oppose stem cell research, saying it's
wrong to use any human embryos for research purposes. What about you? Do you
support or oppose stem cell research?
Support Oppose Don't Know
67% 30% 3%
2012
58% 30% 12%
2001; ABC News/Washington Post Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Support 67 66 68 75 70 68 55 73 56 69 75 71 60 69
Oppose 30 30 30 24 27 30 39 25 41 27 23 25 36 30
Don't know 3 4 2 2 3 2 7 2 3 4 3 4 4 1
58

59. Americans also see a strong right to live
If the government (for example through Medicare) is paying the medical bills, should
someone on life support be required to be kept alive?
5%
Yes
39%
56% No
Don't know
Showing All
59

60. Most say it is morally acceptable to take a patient
off life support at their request
If someone is on life support, for which of these reasons would it be morally
acceptable to take them off life support, allowing them to pass away? Please select
all that apply.
The person on life support requested they not be kept alive in
these situations 78%
The person on life support is suffering 63%
The family of the person on life support is enduring great
emotional pain 30%
The family of the person on life support cannot afford the medical
bills 20%
It is never morally acceptable to take someone off life support 8%
Showing All
Another reason 7%
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
The person on life support requested they
78 77 79 71 76 83 81 74 80 80 84 79 77 74
not be kept alive in these situations
The person on life support is suffering 63 58 67 62 66 63 59 67 58 64 62 63 60 67
The family of the person on life support is
30 29 30 26 31 30 31 33 29 27 25 27 32 31
enduring great emotional pain
The family of the person on life support
20 20 20 26 18 20 15 23 21 18 17 15 23 23
cannot afford the medical bills
It is never morally acceptable to take
8 9 7 9 12 4 6 5 8 9 6 8 9 7
someone off life support
Another reason 7 7 8 3 5 11 10 8 7 7 9 7 8 5
60
Don't know 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1

61. Over half think financial cost is not sufficient
reason to take a patient off life support
Which of the following is closer to your view?
Someone on life It’s acceptable to
support should be take someone off
required to be of life support if
kept alive, 57% 33% the financial cost
regardless of the of keeping them
financial cost alive is too great
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Someone on life support
should be required to be kept
57 55 59 63 64 55 43 57 55 59 60 56 59 54
alive, regardless of the
financial cost
It’s acceptable to take
someone off of life support if
33 36 31 36 29 35 34 35 38 30 32 34 32 37
the financial cost of keeping
them alive is too great
Don't know 9 9 10 1 7 10 23 8 7 11 8 10 9 9
61

62. 59% think someone on life support should be required
to be kept alive if a private insurer is paying
If a private insurer is paying the medical bills, should someone on life support be
required to be kept alive?
4%
Yes
37%
59% No
Don't know
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 59 62 56 72 63 55 43 61 48 65 57 56 59 63
No 37 36 39 28 33 41 50 37 48 31 40 40 38 32
Don't know 4 3 5 0 5 4 7 2 4 4 3 4 3 4
62

63. 56% think someone on life support should be required
to be kept alive if the government is paying
§ Majorities, especially of younger generations, say it is the government’s
obligation to keep alive people on life support who wish to be kept alive
If the government (for example through Medicare) is paying the medical bills, should
someone on life support be required to be kept alive?
5%
Yes
39% No
56%
Don't know
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
Government M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
Yes 56 60 53 70 62 50 40 57 51 60 52 49 58 64
No 39 37 40 28 35 44 49 38 45 36 44 43 38 32
Don't know 5 2 7 2 3 5 11 5 5 4 4 7 4 4
63

64. A plurality are only somewhat concerned about
climate change
How concerned, if at all, are you about climate change?
A great deal Somewhat Not very much Not at all
25% 40% 20% 14%
Showing All
Gender Age Political Affiliation Region
All
M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W
A great deal 25 25 26 25 23 28 24 38 10 25 33 19 24 26
Somewhat 40 37 43 36 48 40 32 44 34 40 37 39 38 44
Not very much 20 18 23 26 17 17 23 14 28 21 19 24 21 18
Not at all 14 20 8 10 11 15 21 4 27 14 10 17 16 11
Don’t know 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0
64

65. Religious values over time
65