PSB American Values Survey

The Atlantic / Aspen Institute

American Values Survey

1

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

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.

� 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

Sample Size Margin of Error

General Population (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%

Our values in declineOur values in declineOur values in declineOur values in decline

4

32%

31%

27%

33%

62%

64%

65%

63%

6%

5%

8%

4%

Right direction Wrong direction Don't Know

Two thirds think the country is heading in the

wrong direction

Showing All

AllGender Age Political Affiliation Region

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

Generally speaking, would you say things in this country are heading in the right direction or in the wrong direction?

2012

2011; Rasmussen

2010; Rasmussen

2009; Rasmussen

5

7 in 10 think peoples’ values have been getting

worse in America

Showing 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

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?

9% 21% 70% 1%

Getting better Staying the same Getting worse Don't know

6

A majority think their generation is worse off than

their parents’ generation

Showing 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

Are people in your generation better off or worse off than people in your parents’ generation?

34% 14% 51% 1%

Better Same Worse Don't know

7

Showing All

17% 12% 69% 1%

Stronger Stayed the same Weaker Don't know

Most think American values have declined

since the 1970’s

8

Do you think that American values have strengthened, declined, or stayed about the same since the 1970’s?

Most think American values have declined since

the 1940’s

Showing 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

Do you think that American values have strengthened, declined, or stayed about the same since the 1940’s?

17% 13% 68% 3%

Stronger Stayed the same Weaker Don't know

9

Nearly half expect American values to weaken over the

next decade

Showing 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

Do you think American values will grow stronger, weaker, or stay about the same over the next ten years?

23% 29% 46% 2%

Stronger Staying the same Weaker Don't know

10

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.

7%

3%

21%

22%

25%

29%

31%

33%

53%

62%

None of the above

Other

I’m more religious

I’m more socially conservative

I’m more conservative in my political views

I’m less religious

I’m more liberal in my political views

I’m more socially liberal

I’m more tolerant of other people or cultures

I’m more open to new ideas

Showing All

11

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 different from your parents? Please indicate all that apply.

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

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

cultures53 52 54 57 51 50 59 58 46 54 48 55 53 56

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

views25 30 21 15 22 28 40 18 38 23 21 25 30 23

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

40%

39%

37%

32%

26%

29%

30%

21%

15%

13%

9%

57%

60%

61%

64%

69%

69%

69%

78%

83%

84%

90%

Having a child out of wedlock

Pre-marital sex

Gambling

Capital punishment

Stem cell research

Divorce

An unmarried man and woman living together

Sex education in public schools

Interracial marriage

Using contraception

A woman with children working outside the home

Morally acceptable Morally objectionable

Well documented changes on social tolerance

13

Showing All

Please indicate whether each of the following is morally acceptable or morally objectionable.

89%

89%

85%

79%

77%

60%

58%

56%

57%

52%

45%

10%

11%

14%

18%

22%

37%

38%

41%

41%

47%

53%

Athletes using performance enhancing drugs

Using illegal drugs (other than marijuana)

Underage drinking

Cloning designed to result in the birth of a humanbeing

Prostitution

Doctor-assisted suicide

Censoring explicit books or media

Smoking marijuana

Abortion

Adults viewing pornography

Homosexuality

Morally acceptable Morally objectionable

Homosexuality is now morally acceptable to a

majority while pornography and drug usage are not

14

Showing All


Most Americans and especially younger

generations accept alternative lifestyles

15


76%62%

52% 52%45%

36%

21%

36%

An unmarried man andwoman living together

Homosexuality Smoking marijuana Abortion

% Morally Acceptable

18-29 65+

57% 39%

Majority prefer Americans have a broad range of

values

Showing All

It’s important that there be a broad range of values represented in

America, because it causes us to reevaluate our

own values and leads to societal

progress

America would be better if we all

shared the same fundamental values, since

there would be more

compromises and less social

conflict

Which of the following is closer to your view?


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Broad range of values

represented in America57 57 58 66 60 56 47 65 46 59 60 55 54 63

Shared the same

fundamental values39 40 39 33 39 42 43 32 48 39 38 41 41 35

Don’t know 3 4 3 1 1 3 10 3 5 2 1 4 4 2

16

Core American ValuesCore American ValuesCore American ValuesCore American Values

17

6%14% 20% 19% 13% 17%

30%21%

31% 33%24% 23% 25% 26%20%

33%37% 40%

32%33%

31%31%

26% 24%24%

17% 16% 16%

73%46% 33% 31%

45% 39% 20%25% 20%

11%20%

14% 8% 6%

1% 6% 8% 8% 9% 10%19% 21% 22%

31% 31%44% 43% 48%

Only a litte A fair amount A great deal None at all

Showing All

Family

When you think of how we learn what "right and wrong" means, how much of an influence would you say the following sources

had or continue to have on developing your beliefs?

18

The schools you attended K through 12

FriendsHigher

education

Books Religious teachings

Newsmedia Television

and movies

Religious leaders Political

leaders

Social media & the internet

Celebrities & professional

athletes

Political satirists

Political commentators

Family and K-12 education have the greatest

influence on our values

Obama, Clinton best represent American

values today

19

Whom do you think best represents American values today?

Showing All

Core American values of freedom are

reaffirmed

20

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.

6%

2%

37%

39%

40%

42%

44%

44%

46%

50%

50%

50%

61%

67%

None of the above

Other

The influence of many religions

America’s influence in the world

Christian heritage

Being a melting pot / immigrant nation

Upward mobility/ability to pull oneself up by bootstraps

Our form of government

America’s ability to change and adapt

The system laid out in our Constitution

Principles of equality

Free enterprise system

Freedom of religion

Freedom of speech

Showing All

Freedom of speech and religion contribute to our

stronger values


All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

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

Constitution50 55 46 39 46 54 63 44 59 49 43 47 54 54

America’s ability to change and

adapt46 48 45 43 41 48 54 47 45 46 45 43 48 47

Our form of government 44 46 41 37 41 44 54 43 48 40 43 40 48 40

Upward mobility / the ability to pull

oneself up by the bootstraps44 46 41 38 43 44 52 43 47 42 35 41 47 48

Being a melting pot / immigrant

nation42 45 40 38 43 45 42 46 38 42 42 41 41 45

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

Younger generations differ on importance of

free enterprise system

22

36%47%

55% 61%

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

% say free enterprise system contributes to strong American values


Freedom of speech primarily extended to

voting and freedom of information

23

Which of the following do you think should be protected by the freedom of speech? Please indicate all that apply.

9%

2%

18%

19%

27%

27%

31%

31%

37%

46%

48%

64%

70%

None of the above

Other

Slander (false speech intended to harm another person)

"Fighting words," or speech intended to incite crime

Flag-burning

Hate speech (religious, racial, sexual orientation, etc)

Release of information pertaining to national security

Viewing pornography

Donating money on political campaigns

Freedom from internet censorship

Commercial speech, such as advertising

Freedom of information

Voting

Showing All

Freedom of speech by sub-group

Which of the following do you think should be protected by the freedom of speech? Please indicate all that apply.

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

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

advertising48 47 48 53 45 47 45 48 48 47 47 51 49 44

Freedom from internet censorship 46 52 41 51 49 44 40 51 43 45 47 46 47 45

Donating money on political

campaigns37 38 37 33 40 38 35 34 42 36 36 34 39 38

Viewing pornography 31 39 23 35 35 27 26 32 24 33 34 36 26 30

Release of information pertaining to

national security31 30 31 28 32 31 31 34 25 32 27 29 33 31

Hate speech (religious, racial,

sexual orientation, etc.)27 29 25 26 29 25 28 23 25 30 27 24 28 26

Flag-burning 27 30 24 24 32 27 22 27 22 30 24 30 26 28

“Fighting words," or speech intended

to incite crime19 19 20 21 22 16 21 20 17 20 20 15 21 21

Slander (false speech intended to

harm another person)18 20 16 18 17 18 20 17 17 19 19 17 19 17

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

56% 43%

Over half think freedom of speech should apply to

offensive language

Showing All

Americans should have the right to

say, write, or otherwise

demonstrate what they believe, even

if it is deeply offensive to most

people

The freedom of speech should

not apply to deeply offensive

language



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

believe, even if it is

deeply offensive to

most people

56 58 53 59 63 54 43 55 53 57 50 52 58 59

The freedom of speech

should not apply to

deeply offensive

language

43 40 46 41 36 45 53 43 46 41 49 46 41 38

Don’t know 2 2 2 1 1 1 4 2 1 2 1 2 1 2

25

20% 77%

Only 20% believe that people are generally

altruistic

Showing All

That people are generally altruistic

That people are generally

motivated by self interest

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion Income Race

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W<

35k35k-75k

75k+Whit

eBlac

kHispanic

That people are

generally altruistic20 19 21 19 17 19 31 23 20 19 21 22 19 19 21 19 22 22 21 13

That people are

generally motivated by

self interest

77 78 76 80 82 78 65 76 79 77 76 74 78 79 77 78 76 76 78 81

Don't know 3 3 2 1 2 3 5 2 2 4 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 2 1 6


26

Political corruption, focus on money and declining

family values weakens American values

27

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.

3%

3%

30%

43%

47%

47%

53%

55%

55%

57%

61%

61%

61%

63%

None of the above

Other

Openness to accepting alternate lifestyles

Power of Wall Street

Too much political correctness

Apathy / lack of strong work ethic

Lack of strong moral leaders / role models

Use of drugs and alcohol

Scandals by public officials

Celebrity-obsessed culture

Declining family values

Too much focus on money / material things

Influence of money in politics

Political corruption

Showing All

Political corruption 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.

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

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

things61 58 63 65 57 59 63 62 55 62 60 59 61 62

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

models53 55 51 44 53 55 62 44 65 52 49 54 56 51

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

lifestyles30 30 29 23 27 33 35 24 40 27 25 30 33 27

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

68% think the media has a negative impact on

American values


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

Do you think the media has a positive, negative, or no impact on American values?

18% 12% 68% 2%

Positive No impact Negative Don't know

Showing All

29

36% 28% 33% 4%

Stronger About the same Weaker Don't know

Americans are split on whether our values are

stronger or weaker than the rest of the world

Showing 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

Do you think that American values in general are stronger, weaker, or about the same as in the rest of the world?

30

Half think America should not concern itself with

values of other countries

Showing 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

values of other countries 31 34 29 45 34 26 20 36 23 32 31 28 30 37

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


15%

31%

51%

America should focus on trying tospread our values to othercountries around the world

America should try to learn from thevalues of other countries around

the world

Neither – America has its own values and should not concern itself with the values of other

countries

31

American values are most similar to those of the

U.K., France

4% 2% 3% 4% 2% 3% 3% 2% 7% 4% 3%

64%

24%39%

15% 11% 14%34%

5%

25%

9% 5%

33%

73%57%

81% 87% 83%

62%

93%

68%88% 92%

Different Similar Don't know

Showing All

India

Israel

EgyptRussia

North Korea

China

Mexico

United Kingdom

How similar or different do you think American values are from those of the following countries?

France

Iran

Brazil

32

Nearly 9 in 10 think the U.S. should focus on

domestic issues rather than international issues

Showing All

In your opinion, what is more important for the United States to focus on in the next decade?

83%

88%

12%

10%

5%

2%

Domestic issues International affairs Don't Know

2012

2011


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

33

Showing All

Family valuesFamily valuesFamily valuesFamily values

34

2%

2%

1%

2%

3%

17%

31%

41%

None of the above

Other

Political values

Values about beauty and art

Ethnic or cultural values

Religious values

Moral values

Family values

Family and moral values are the most

important in Americans' lives

35

Showing All

Which of the following types of values do you consider to be most important in your life?

AllGender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent

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

Two thirds lament the loss of traditional

family life, calling its loss damaging to society

36

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent


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

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?

11% 24% 64% 1%

Positive No impact Negative Don't know

Showing All

8 in 10 parents think it is tougher to be a

parent today


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

IF PARENT: Is it tougher to be a parent today than it was for your parents?

81% 17% 2%

Yes No Don't know

Showing All; N= 729

37

38

say they are not able to spend as

much time with their children as

they want to.

39% of Parents

49% of Dads&

51% of

Americans

Believe children can grow up to be

successful even if they spend a majority

of their developmental years in day care

or other child-care services.

Parents want more time with their kids but

daycare does not hinder success

39% of parents, and half of dads, want

to spend more time with their children

39

All

Gender AgePolitical


M F18-

29

30-

44

45-

6465+ D R I NE MW S W

<35

K

35k-

75k75k+ White Black

Hispanic

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

IF PARENT: Are you able to spend as much time with your children as you want to?

59% 39% 2%

Yes No Don't know

Showing All; N= 729

One-third of parents say their child has been a

target of bullying


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

IF PARENT: Has your child ever been a target of bullying?

33% 66% 1%

Yes No Don't know

Showing All; N= 729

40

22% 76%

76% of parents are focused on their children’s

future success

41

Showing All; N= 729

Making sure my child is happy

now

Preparing my child for success

in the future


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Making sure my child is

happy now22 21 23 29 18 20 65 24 18 24 24 21 23 20

Preparing my child for

success in the future76 76 75 71 79 75 35 75 78 75 73 79 74 76

Don't know 2 3 2 0 2 4 0 1 4 1 3 0 3 4

IF PARENT: Which of the following is more important to you?

Education system is an American value and should

prepare students for success and hard work

42

Which of these do you think should be the primary goal of public schools in America?

3%

4%

6%

12%

18%

26%

27%

Other

Helping students live happy lives

Helping students get into the best colleges

Preparing students to be active, engaged citizens

Instilling students with the most academicknowledge

Preparing students for successful careers

Instilling students with the values of dedicationand hard work

Showing All

Believe that the public education system is a central American value82%

Of parents are more focused on preparing their children for success in the future than making sure their child is happy now76%

Primary goal of public schools by sub-group

Which of these do you think should be the

primary goal of public schools in America? All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

Instilling students with the values of dedication

and hard work27 27 27 24 26 29 30 23 32 28 27 25 31 24

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

knowledge18 19 18 19 20 18 15 18 21 17 21 24 17 13

Preparing students to be active, engaged

citizens12 9 14 9 13 13 11 14 11 10 15 13 9 10

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

82% 15%

8 in 10 think public education is a central

American value

44

Showing All

The public education system

is a central American value that ensures an opportunity for success for all

Americans

Public education is not an

American value, and is not

necessary to ensure Americans

have an opportunity for

success

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Parent

M F18-

29

30-

44

45-

6465+ D R I NE MW S W Yes No

The public education

system is a central

American value

82 81 83 79 80 86 82 86 80 80 84 80 83 82 82 82

Public education is not an

American value15 15 15 16 17 13 13 13 17 15 16 13 15 16 16 14

Don't know 3 4 2 5 3 1 5 2 2 5 0 7 3 2 1 4


3%

17%

45%

22%

10%

3%

A B C D FAIL Don'tknow

Americans perceive public schools in their

district to be better than schools nationally

45

What grade would you give the public schools in the nation as a whole / in your district? – A, B, C, D, or FAIL?

11%

33%30%

13%11%

2%

A B C D FAIL Don'tknow

Grade for public schools nationally

CGrade for public schools in your district

B

13%

3%

13%

47%

22%

2%

3%

10%

22%

45%

17%

3%

Don't know

FAIL

D

C

B

A

2012

2002

Almost half give our public schools a “C”

grade

46

Showing All2002; Gallup

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?

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k35k-75k

75k+

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

6%

3%

10%

34%

37%

10%

2%

11%

13%

30%

33%

11%

Don't know

FAIL

D

C

B

A

2012

2002

“B” is most common grade for local public

schools

47


Using the scale of A, B, C, D, or FAIL, what grade would you give the public schools in your district?

All


M F18-

29

30-

44

45-


<

35k

35k-

75k75k+

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

51% 45%

Half think children can be successful even if they

spend their developmental years in day care

48

Showing All

Children can grow up to be

successful even if they spend a

majority of their developmental

years in day care or other child-care services

Children can only grow up to be

successful if they spend a majority

of their developmental

years being cared for by a parent


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Majority of their

developmental years in day

care or other child-care

services

51 48 53 54 52 50 44 56 46 51 53 56 50 46

Majority of their

developmental years being

cared for by a parent

45 48 42 46 44 45 46 40 51 44 43 40 47 49

Don't know 4 3 5 0 4 5 9 4 3 5 4 4 4 5


Majority think it is better for both members of

a household to work

49

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Income Parent

M F18-

29

30-

44

45-

6465+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k

35k –

75k75k+ Yes No

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

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?

67%

31%

3%Both

Only one

Don't know

Showing All

Our values in healthcare and Our values in healthcare and Our values in healthcare and Our values in healthcare and

sciencesciencesciencescience

50

69% say ensuring access to healthcare is the

responsibility of the government

51

29% 31% 31%51% 53% 59%

71% 69% 68%47% 46% 40%

No Yes

Access to healthcare coverage

Do you think it is the responsibility of the government to make sure that all Americans have...?

A home to live in

Enough food

A college education

A high school education

A job

Showing All

Responsibility of the government by sub-

group

�Younger Americans demonstrate far stronger support for government involvement in healthcare

Do you think it is the responsibility of the government to make sure that all Americans have...?

Showing % Yes

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

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

76%

26%

55%

Democrats Republicans Independents

% say the government should exert more influence over America’s healthcare system

54% 44%

54% say the government should exert more

influence over healthcare system

53

The government should exert more

influence over America’s healthcare

system, in an attempt to lower

costs and provide healthcare

coverage for all Americans

The government should reduce the

amount of influence it has over America’s

healthcare system, because

a more free-market system will bring costs

down


Showing All

77% 20%

3 in 4 say those with pre-existing conditions

should not be denied coverage

54

Health insurance should be required to

provide care for people who have

pre-existing conditions, even if

the government has to pay for it

Pre-existing conditions can be very expensive,

and health insurers or the

government should not be

required to pay for them


Showing All

88%62%

78%

Democrats Republicans Independents

% say health insurance should be required to provide care for people who have pre-existing conditions

59% 40% 2%

Yes No Don't Know

59% think contraception should be covered under

employer health plans

Showing 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

Should employer-provided health insurance plans be required to cover contraception?

55

Most feel excited when they read about a major

scientific advancement


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

When you read about a major scientific advancement in the news, do you usually feel more excited or more nervous?

58%34%

8%

Excited

Nervous

Don't know

56

Showing All

42% think science and religion generally conflict

with each other


24%

35% 36%

20%

42%

35%

Science and religion generallyagree with each other

Science and religion generallyconflict with each other

Science and religion are notrelated in any meaningful way

2005 2012


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Science and religion generally agree with

each other20 23 18 20 20 20 23 18 26 18 22 18 22 20

Science and religion generally conflict with

each other42 38 45 49 47 39 32 45 41 40 40 44 39 45

Science and religion are not related in any

meaningful way35 34 35 29 31 40 37 34 33 37 36 34 35 33

Don't know 3 4 2 2 1 2 9 3 1 5 2 3 4 2

Showing All2005; CNN/ USA Today/ Gallup Poll

57

A majority support stem-cell research


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

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?

Showing All

58%

67%

30%

30%

12%

3%

Support Oppose Don't Know

2012

2001; ABC News/Washington Post

58

Americans also see a strong right to live

59

56%39%

5%

Yes

No

Don't know

If the government (for example through Medicare) is paying the medical bills, should someone on life support be required to be kept alive?

Showing All

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.

7%

8%

20%

30%

63%

78%

Another reason

It is never morally acceptable to take someone off life support

The family of the person on life support cannot afford the medicalbills

The family of the person on life support is enduring greatemotional pain

The person on life support is suffering

The person on life support requested they not be kept alive inthese situations


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

The person on life support requested they

not be kept alive in these situations78 77 79 71 76 83 81 74 80 80 84 79 77 74

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

enduring great emotional pain30 29 30 26 31 30 31 33 29 27 25 27 32 31

The family of the person on life support

cannot afford the medical bills20 20 20 26 18 20 15 23 21 18 17 15 23 23

It is never morally acceptable to take

someone off life support8 9 7 9 12 4 6 5 8 9 6 8 9 7

Another reason 7 7 8 3 5 11 10 8 7 7 9 7 8 5

Don't know 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1

Showing All

60

57% 33%

Over half think financial cost is not sufficient

reason to take a patient off life support

Showing All

Someone on life support should be

required to be kept alive,

regardless of the financial cost

It’s acceptable to take someone off of life support if

the financial cost of keeping them alive is too great


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

alive, regardless of the

financial cost

57 55 59 63 64 55 43 57 55 59 60 56 59 54

It’s acceptable to take

someone off of life support if

the financial cost of keeping

them alive is too great

33 36 31 36 29 35 34 35 38 30 32 34 32 37

Don't know 9 9 10 1 7 10 23 8 7 11 8 10 9 9


61

59% think someone on life support should be required

to be kept alive if a private insurer is paying


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

59%37%

4%Yes

No

Don't know

If a private insurer is paying the medical bills, should someone on life support be required to be kept alive?

62

Showing All

56% think someone on life support should be required

to be kept alive if the government is paying

63

GovernmentAll

Gender Age Political Affiliation Region

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

56%39%

5%

Yes

No

Don't know

If the government (for example through Medicare) is paying the medical bills, should someone on life support be required to be kept alive?

�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

Showing All

A plurality are only somewhat concerned about

climate change


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

How concerned, if at all, are you about climate change?

25% 40% 20% 14%

A great deal Somewhat Not very much Not at all

64

Showing All

Religious values over timeReligious values over timeReligious values over timeReligious values over time

65

Fewer Americans are embracing religion

� Belief in God has declined significantly from the 1940s and 11% now say they do not

believe in God

66

Do you believe in God?

96%

98%

89%

1%

1%

11%

Yes No

2012

1967; Gallup

1944; Gallup

AllGender Age

Political

AffiliationRegion Religious


Yes 89 85 92 81 90 91 92 88 96 84 85 89 93 84 99 77

No 11 15 7 19 10 9 6 12 4 15 14 11 6 15 1 23

Don’t know 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1

Do you think the influence of religion on American life is...

69%

24%

10%

28%

14%

46%

Increasing Neither increasing nor decreasing Decreasing

The influence of religion on American life is

decreasing

�The percentage of Americans who say the influence of religion is decreasing has grown over the past 55 years

All


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

TOTAL INCREASING 24 26 23 28 23 23 25 32 16 25 21 24 23 31

Greatly increasing 9 10 8 11 9 9 6 13 5 9 8 7 10 11

Slightly increasing 15 16 15 17 14 14 19 19 11 16 13 17 13 20

Neither increasing nor

decreasing28 26 30 33 32 27 17 30 23 30 29 26 30 26

TOTAL DECREASING 46 48 46 40 44 50 54 37 61 44 49 50 47 41

Slightly decreasing 28 30 27 26 28 27 36 24 38 25 28 28 31 26

Greatly decreasing 18 18 19 14 16 23 18 13 23 19 21 22 16 15

Don't know 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 2

2012

1957; Gallup

67

Showing All

But religion is still very important to half of

Americans

�The percent of Americans to whom religion is very important has declined over the past 60 years

How important is religion in your own life?

75%

48%

20%

29%

5%

23%

Very important Fairly important Not very important

2012

1952; Gallup

AllGender Age Political Affiliation Region Religious


Very important 48 44 52 36 47 52 60 49 60 40 40 50 57 39 67 25

Fairly important 29 27 30 33 30 28 23 28 25 33 33 29 27 28 29 29

Not very important 23 29 18 31 23 20 17 23 15 28 27 21 17 32 4 45

Don't know 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

68

Showing All

26% attend church at least once a week; 21%

never attend

�Americans are attending church less frequently than as recently as 5 years ago

How often do you attend church, synagogue, mosque, or other worship services?

35%

26%

10%

11%

10%

13%

28%

28%

16%

21%

At least once per week Almost every week About once per month

Seldom Never

Showing All

2012

2007; Gallup



At least once per

week26 25 27 23 21 28 37 23 35 2 21 28 29 24 42 8

Almost every week 11 13 10 7 16 11 12 10 14 10 10 12 14 8 16 6

About once per

month13 14 13 16 11 11 19 15 14 12 13 14 13 14 19 7

Seldom 28 29 27 30 31 29 16 29 21 31 32 27 27 27 20 37

Never 21 20 22 24 21 21 17 23 16 23 23 19 17 27 3 42

69

Most say amount of religious tolerance is either

just right or not high enough

Is the level of religious tolerance in this country is too high, not high enough, or just right?

11% 45% 43% 1%

Too high Just right Not high enough Don't know

Showing All



Too high 11 13 9 9 11 13 10 10 10 13 10 11 12 10 8 15

Just right 45 42 47 48 47 42 39 43 49 43 46 43 41 52 40 50

Not high enough 43 44 43 42 41 43 48 46 40 43 43 45 45 38 51 34

Don't know 1 1 2 1 0 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2

70

Americans have not reached a consensus on

teaching creationism in public schools

Would you generally favor or oppose teaching creationism along with evolution in public schools, or are you unsure?

58%

38%

7%

35%

35%

25% 1%

Favor Unsure Oppose Don't know

2012

2006; Pew Research Center



Favor 38 44 33 42 39 37 36 36 45 36 40 42 37 35 44 32

Oppose 25 25 26 26 25 25 26 25 24 27 23 23 26 29 23 29

Unsure 35 30 41 33 36 37 34 39 31 35 35 33 36 36 33 38

Don't know 1 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 1

71

Showing All

Our values in the economyOur values in the economyOur values in the economyOur values in the economy

72

Two-thirds of Americans think U.S. economy

is on the wrong track

73

AllGender Age Political Affiliation

M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I

Right track 32 35 30 30 32 34 31 53 10 32

Wrong track 66 63 69 69 67 65 62 44 89 67

Don’t know 2 2 2 0 1 2 7 3 1 2

In general, is the U.S. economy on the right track or is it off on the wrong track?

29%

26%

32%

60%

66%

66%

12%

8%

2%

Right track Wrong track Don't Know

Showing All

2012

2010

2011

Economy as on the wrong track and the most

important issue facing the country today

74

What do you think is the most important issue facing this country today?

2%

9%

1%

1%

2%

2%

2%

2%

3%

3%

4%

5%

6%

6%

52%

Don’t know

Other

Lack of opportunity

Taxes

Immigration

War in Afghanistan

Terrorism and nat'l security

Fuel costs

Partisan politics

Education

Big government/ bureaucracy

Moral values / family values

Health care

Deficit and gov't spending

Economy and jobs

Showing All

66%Believe that the U.S.

economy is off on the wrong track

Economy and jobs seen as the most important

issues by every sub-group

What do you think is the most important issue facing this country today?

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

Economy and jobs 52 48 55 48 56 53 46 54 52 49 54 53 48 53

Deficit and government

spending6 7 5 9 5 6 5 4 7 7 6 6 6 5

Health care 6 6 6 5 6 8 4 8 5 6 7 7 6 6

Moral values / family values 5 5 6 5 6 7 2 4 8 5 4 6 7 3

Big government / bureaucracy 4 6 3 4 4 3 7 3 6 4 3 6 3 6

Education 3 3 4 5 3 2 2 3 2 4 3 2 3 5

Partisan politics 3 3 3 1 2 4 6 4 1 4 2 4 3 3

Fuel costs 2 2 2 3 2 2 0 2 2 2 2 1 2 1

Terrorism and national

security2 2 2 2 2 1 3 1 3 2 4 2 1 3

War in Afghanistan 2 2 2 3 1 1 1 3 0 1 1 1 2 2

Immigration 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 3

Taxes 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 1 2

Lack of opportunity 1 1 2 3 2 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 2 1

Other 9 11 8 6 9 8 17 9 8 10 10 7 11 8

Don't know 2 2 1 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 2 2 2 0

75

49% think wealthy Americans had more

opportunities than others

76

In your opinion, which of the following is the primary reason wealthy Americans have achieved

financial success?

49%

39%

9%

They were born intowealthy families or

had moreopportunities than

others

They worked harderthan most others to

be successful

They are just lucky

…but 70% believe that “with

hard work I can

accomplish

anything”

The view that what’s good for business is good for

America is losing resonance with younger Americans

77

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the statement: “What’s good for business is good for America?”

43% 28% 28% 1%

Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Don't know

Showing All

35% 38% 45%61%

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

% Agree

70% 28%

But 7 in 10 believe “With hard work I can

accomplish anything”

78

Showing All

That with hard work I can

accomplish anything

No matter how hard I work

success is more dependent on

luck and/or knowing the right

people

All

Gender AgePolitical


M F18-

29

30-

44

45-


<

35k

35k-

75k

75k

+White Black

Hispanic

That with hard

work…70 69 71 67 72 70 71 64 85 66 69 61 75 73 62 72 79 70 68 75

No matter how

hard I work…28 30 27 33 27 27 27 36 13 33 30 37 23 27 37 27 20 29 32 25

Don't know 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 0 0


Half think economic system is unfair to

middle- and working-class Americans

79

15% 20% 14% 14%27%

13% 16%

49%57%

34% 34%

43%

41% 41%

34%22%

51% 52%

29%46% 40%

Unsure Fair Unfair

Showing All

Do you think the economic system in America has been fair or unfair to the following groups or individuals, or are you unsure?

You

Wealthy Americans

Middle-classAmericans

Working-classAmericans

First generationimmigrants

WomenMinorities

Half think economic system is unfair to middle

and working class Americans

Do you think the economic system in America has been fair or unfair to the following groups or individuals, or are you unsure?

Showing % Fair

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

M F18-29

30-44

45-64

65+ D R I NE MW S W

Wealthy Americans 57 62 51 53 59 57 56 59 58 53 65 55 56 52

You 49 55 44 43 48 49 61 47 60 44 51 42 51 53

First generation immigrants 43 49 37 33 43 46 51 34 56 41 42 41 44 43

Women 41 43 39 40 43 41 40 30 53 41 39 42 42 41

Minorities 41 40 43 33 39 47 44 28 65 35 39 41 43 41

Middle-class Americans 34 40 28 29 34 30 49 24 46 33 34 32 37 32

Working-class Americans 34 38 29 30 26 34 46 26 45 32 30 36 34 33

Showing % Unfair

Wealthy Americans 22 20 24 23 24 21 18 19 20 25 18 22 21 27

You 34 32 36 41 37 33 21 38 25 37 33 41 30 34

First generation immigrants 29 28 29 41 30 26 13 35 16 31 34 23 23 38

Women 46 45 47 51 42 44 48 58 35 45 51 43 45 45

Minorities 40 44 37 51 42 35 35 54 21 44 46 41 37 42

Middle-class Americans 51 47 55 51 56 54 37 62 42 50 55 53 51 48

Working-class Americans 52 50 55 60 55 54 39 61 41 54 59 51 50 52

80

Wall Street values not in line with American

values

81

think that executives at large Wall Street banks share the same fundamental set of values as other Americans17%

think that some of the executives at large Wall Street banks, who presided over significant financial losses leading to a government bailout, should have gone to jail as a result of the financial crisis

71%

17% 79%

Only 17% think Wall Street executives share

fundamental American values

82

Share the same fundamental

American values

Have a different set of values

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion Income

M F18-

29

30-

44

45-


<

35k

35k

–

75k

75k+

Share the same fundamental

American values17 18 16 23 16 16 13 14 24 16 16 13 18 20 17 15 22

Have a different set of values 79 79 79 75 81 82 78 84 71 81 81 83 78 77 80 82 74

Don't know 4 3 4 2 3 2 9 2 5 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 4

Do you think that executives at large Wall Street banks share the same fundamental American values as you, or do these managers have a different set of values?

Showing All

7% 89%

Worse, because they are

motivated by greed and self-

interest

Of those, 9 in 10 think their values are worse

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion Income

M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k35k –75k

75k+

Better, because they value

capitalism and free market

solutions

7 8 6 10 6 7 6 7 9 6 5 7 9 7 6 7 7

Worse, because they are

motivated by greed and self-

interest

89 89 89 86 90 91 87 89 86 91 91 88 87 91 88 90 90

Don’t know 4 3 5 3 4 2 7 4 4 3 4 5 4 2 6 3 3

IF DIFFERENT: Do you think the values of executives at large Wall Street banks are better or worse than fundamental American values?

Better, because they value

capitalism and free market solutions

Showing All; N= 1590

83

71% think Wall Street executives should have

gone to jail

84


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Should have gone to jail 71 72 71 60 71 78 73 76 67 70 73 72 71 71

Not a criminal act 23 23 22 35 24 17 15 19 27 23 23 20 23 24

Don't know 6 5 7 5 5 5 12 5 6 7 4 8 7 6

Do you think that some of the executives at large Wall Street banks, who presided over significant financial losses leading to a government bailout, should have gone to jail as a result of the financial crisis, or were their financial losses not a criminal

act?

71%

23%

6%

Should have goneto jail

Not a criminal act

Don't know

42% 56%

Over half would raise taxes on wealthy individuals

and businesses

Showing All

Lower taxes on individuals and businesses, and pay for those tax cuts by cutting

spending on some government

services and programs

Spend more on education and the

nation's infrastructure,

and raise taxes on wealthy

individuals and businesses to pay for that spending


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Lower taxes on individuals

and businesses42 42 42 36 49 39 48 24 64 42 37 40 48 39

Spend more on education

and the nation's infrastructure56 56 56 64 51 59 46 75 34 57 62 58 49 60

Don't know 2 2 2 0 1 2 6 2 2 1 1 2 2 1

Which of these do you think is the best way to promote economic growth in the U.S.?

85

38% 57%

57% think the government should focus spending

on younger rather than older citizens

Showing All

The government should focus spending on helping older

people deal with retirement and

healthcare issues as they age

The government should focus

spending on the education system to help younger

people be prepared to get

better jobs


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Focus spending on helping

older people deal with

retirement and healthcare

38 39 38 25 34 49 41 37 41 38 43 38 41 31

Focus spending on the

education system to help

younger people

57 56 58 73 62 47 47 60 53 58 55 56 53 64

Don't know 5 5 4 2 3 4 12 3 6 5 2 5 6 4

When thinking about what the government should focus on, which of the following is more important to you?

86

46% prefer a progressive tax system

What would you describe as the best system of taxation?

33%

46%

14%6%

A system where all peoplepay an equal percentage of

their income in taxes

A system where wealthierpeople pay a higher

percentage of their incomein taxes

A system with no incometaxes, and the government

raises money through asales tax on goods and

services

A system with no taxeswhatsoever, and the

government raises moneyin other ways


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

A system where all people pay an equal

percentage of their income in taxes33 34 32 29 30 35 39 24 45 32 27 32 34 38

A system where wealthier people pay a

higher percentage of their income in taxes46 43 48 54 47 43 37 60 31 45 55 45 40 48

A system with no income taxes, and the

government raises money through a sales

tax on goods and services

14 16 12 12 16 15 10 10 17 14 11 18 16 8

A system with no taxes whatsoever, and the

government raises money in other ways6 6 7 5 6 6 9 6 5 8 6 4 8 6

Don't know 1 1 1 0 0 1 5 1 1 1 0 1 2 0

Showing All

87

62% 35%

6 in 10 think running a budget deficit undermines

American values

Showing All

Running a government

budget deficit undermines

American values, since it means

our children will have to pay for our spending

Government borrowing is

essential to the growth of the U.S. economy and to meet the funding needs of critical

services


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Undermines American values 62 63 62 66 66 59 58 47 73 68 60 66 61 63

Essential to the growth of the

U.S. economy35 35 34 33 33 38 33 50 24 30 38 32 34 35

Don't know 3 3 3 1 2 3 9 3 3 2 2 2 5 1


88

37% 61%

Over one-third of Americans think income taxes

challenge upward mobility

Showing All

Income taxes challenge the

American value of upward mobility,

because they punish people

who work hard to earn higher

incomes

Income taxes are essential to

safeguarding American values, because they pay

for necessary services that bring more

opportunities for Americans

All


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k35k –75k

75k+

Income taxes challenge

the American value of

upward mobility

37 36 37 37 40 37 30 23 45 42 34 33 43 33 37 36 36

Income taxes are

essential to safeguarding

American values

61 61 61 61 58 62 64 74 52 56 65 63 55 65 61 60 63

Don't know 2 3 2 2 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 4 1


89

Americans are divided on the impact of labor

unions on our values

Do you think that labor unions have had a mostly positive, mostly negative, or no impact on American values in the past?

41% 21% 36% 3%

Mostly positive No impact Mostly negative Don't know

AllGender Age Political Affiliation Region Union


Mostly positive 41 43 39 47 37 39 40 53 22 43 48 46 38 35 64 37

Mostly negative 36 38 34 30 33 41 38 20 62 31 33 34 35 40 24 38

No impact 21 18 23 21 26 18 16 23 16 22 17 17 24 23 10 22

Don't know 3 1 4 1 3 2 7 3 0 4 2 3 4 2 2 3

90

Showing All

79% think the decline of the manufacturing industry

has had a negative impact on American values


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Mostly positive 10 11 8 18 8 8 5 12 10 8 6 11 10 11

Mostly negative 79 78 80 70 80 84 82 80 82 77 83 81 79 76

The American manufacturing

industry has not declined 8 8 8 11 11 5 5 6 4 12 9 5 8 10

Don't know 3 3 3 2 1 3 9 2 4 2 2 3 3 3

Has the decline of the American manufacturing industry had a mostly positive or mostly negative impact on the traditional American values of hard work and upward

mobility?

10%

79%

8%3%

Mostly positive

Mostly negative

The American manufacturingindustry has not declined

Don't know

Showing All

91

PrivacyPrivacyPrivacyPrivacy

92

55% do not expect their personal information to be

private when using social media

All


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Yes 40 39 41 52 38 35 38 40 37 41 43 35 40 43

No 55 55 56 47 59 62 47 56 59 54 55 59 54 54

Don't know 4 5 3 0 3 3 14 4 4 4 2 6 6 2

When using social media like Facebook and Twitter, do you expect that your personal information will remain private?

40%

55%

4%Yes

No

Don't know

Showing All

93

61% disapprove of websites monitoring visitor’s

online activity

All


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Approve 33 37 29 40 42 29 18 30 32 36 29 34 35 34

Disapprove 61 57 64 58 55 66 62 64 65 56 69 59 56 62

Don't know 6 6 6 2 2 5 20 6 3 8 2 7 9 4

Many websites have the ability to monitor visitors’ activity online, including websites they visit and their physical location, and do this to help keep web content free. Do

you approve or disapprove of this practice?

33%

61%

6%

Approve

Disapprove

Don't know

Showing All

94

Americans more worried about the government knowing

about their personal life than private companies


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Private companies 28 25 31 34 32 25 19 41 18 25 33 32 23 28

The government 47 51 43 46 50 47 42 33 59 48 41 43 47 53

Neither – it doesn’t bother me

if these organizations know

about my personal life

23 22 23 19 18 26 27 23 19 25 24 22 29 13

Don't know 3 2 4 0 0 3 12 3 4 2 2 3 1 6

Would you be more worried about private companies or about the government knowing too much about your personal life?

28% 47% 23% 3%

Private companies The government Neither Don't know

Showing All

95

Our values in politicsOur values in politicsOur values in politicsOur values in politics

96

Political system seen to reflect values of wealthy

due to influence of lobbyists and money

97

think that lobbyists have too much power in American politics.74%think there is too much money concentrated among a small number of groups and individuals spent on political campaigns in America

82%

24%

71%

The values of middle- and working-class Americans are reflected by America’s

elected officials

Our elected officials mainly reflect thevalues of the wealthy

7 in 10 believe elected officials reflect mainly

the values of the wealthy

98


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Middle- and working-class

values are accurately

reflected

24 23 24 28 25 22 19 25 25 23 27 21 22 25

Reflect mainly wealthy values 71 74 69 71 72 74 67 71 66 74 71 74 71 70

Don't know 5 4 6 1 3 5 14 5 8 3 1 5 7 5

Do you believe that the values of middle- and working-class Americans are reflected by America’s elected officials, or do our elected officials mainly reflect the values of

the wealthy?

24%

71%

5% Middle and workingclass values areaccurately reflected

Reflect mainlywealthy values

Don't know

Showing All

71%

74%

13%

17%

8%

5%

8%

4%

Too much About the right amount Not enough Don't know

74% think lobbyists have too much power in

American politics

99

Showing All

All


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W < 35k35k –

75k75k+

Too much 74 79 69 63 70 77 88 73 78 72 72 81 73 71 64 78 78

About the

right

amount

17 14 20 26 21 15 4 18 15 17 19 12 17 21 20 17 15

Not enough 5 5 5 7 6 5 0 5 4 5 6 3 5 5 7 3 5

Don't know 4 2 6 4 4 3 8 4 2 6 3 5 5 3 9 2 2

Do you think that lobbyists have too much power in American politics, about the right amount of power, or not enough power?

2012

2011

82% 16%

8 in 10 think there is too much money spent

on political campaigns

100

Showing All

There is too much money concentrated

among a small number of groups

and individuals spent on political

campaigns in America, and strict

limits should be placed on campaign

spending and contributions

Because electing our political leaders is

one of the most important things we do as a nation, it’s acceptable that a

great deal of money is spent on political campaigns, even if

happens to be concentrated among

a small number of groups and individuals


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

There is too much money… 82 82 83 80 83 84 81 83 80 83 86 82 81 82

Because electing our political

leaders…16 17 15 20 16 15 13 16 18 15 13 14 18 16

Don't know 2 1 3 0 1 2 6 1 2 2 0 4 1 3


Growing percentages oppose any outright

bans on handgun ownership

101

Believe there should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons.

72% Believe that all Americans have the right to use deadly force to defend themselves

51% 55% 62% 64%

1980(Gallup)

1990(Gallup)

2000(Gallup)

2012

64%

An increase since 1980

Growing percentages oppose any outright

bans on handgun ownership

102

Possession of

handguns

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation RegionGun Owner/

In Home

M F18-

29

30-

44

45-


Should be 35 27 42 41 31 32 37 45 25 34 40 37 26 42 16 46

Should not be 64 72 56 58 67 67 62 54 75 64 55 61 74 57 84 52

Don't know 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 5 2 0 1 1 2

38%

41%

36%

35%

51%

55%

62%

64%

11%

4%

2%

1%

Should be Should not be Don't know

Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?


1990; Gallup

2000; Gallup

2012

72% 25%

72% believe all Americans have the right to

use deadly force in defense

103

Showing All

That all Americans have the right to use deadly force to

defend themselves

That only law enforcement have

the right to use deadly force

All

Gender AgePolitical

AffiliationRegion

Gun Owner/

In Home

M F18-

29

30-

44

45-


That all Americans have

the right to use deadly

force to defend

themselves

72 74 69 71 74 71 70 62 85 71 74 71 73 68 89 62

That only law enforcement

have the right to use

deadly force

25 22 27 29 21 25 24 33 14 25 25 22 26 25 10 33

Don't know 4 3 4 0 5 4 5 4 1 3 1 7 1 6 1 4


Americans are divided on gun control


Gun Owner/

In Home


Protect the right to own guns 49 57 41 49 50 48 50 33 66 49 41 46 57 46 76 33

Control gun ownership 50 42 58 50 49 51 49 67 34 49 57 53 42 53 23 66

Don't know 1 1 1 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 1

What do you think is more important – to protect the right of Americans to own guns, or to control gun ownership?

32%

49%

60%

50%

8%

1%

Protect the right to own guns Control gun ownership Don't know

Showing All

2012

2007; Pew Research

104

56% support a law that would ban the possession

of concealed handguns

Concealed


Gun Owner/

In Home


Should be 56 50 61 62 49 56 56 71 45 52 65 58 46 62 40 65

Should not be 43 49 37 38 49 43 38 29 52 46 33 39 53 37 58 33

Don't know VOL 2 1 2 0 1 1 6 0 2 2 2 3 2 1 2 2

56%43%

2%

Should be

Should not be

Don't know

Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the concealed (that is, hidden from public view) carrying of handguns in public places, except by the

police or other authorized persons?

Showing All

105

45% 51%

45% believe America has the right to engage in

preemptive war

Showing All

America has the right to go to war to defend itself, even if it isn’t attacked first

America should only go to war if it

is attacked first


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

America has the right to go to

war to defend itself, even if it

isn’t attacked first

45 49 42 38 49 47 45 38 59 43 51 43 48 40

America should only go to

war if it is attacked first51 47 54 59 49 49 48 58 38 54 49 50 48 57

Don't know 4 3 4 3 2 4 7 4 3 4 1 7 3 3


106

44%

61%

Support mandatory militaryservice

Support mandatory public orcommunity service

% Yes

Strong support for service to country

107

Should every American have an obligation to serve his or her country through military/public or community service?

Showing All

Americans divided by age over mandatory

military service

108

All

Gender Age Political Affiliation Region Race

M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W White BlackHispa

nic

Yes 44 53 36 34 32 47 67 42 43 48 36 43 46 47 41 49 51

No 55 47 62 66 67 52 29 57 57 52 61 56 53 52 58 49 49

Don't know 1 0 2 0 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 0

Should every American have an obligation to serve his or her country through military service?

44% 55% 1%

Yes No Don't know

Showing All

6 in 10 think every American should perform

mandatory community service

109


M F 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+ D R I NE MW S W

Yes 61 63 59 60 55 63 73 65 59 59 65 64 57 63

No 37 36 38 39 44 36 23 33 39 38 33 36 42 32

Don't know 2 1 3 1 1 2 4 1 2 3 2 0 1 5

Should every American have an obligation to serve his or her country through either public or community service?

61% 37% 2%

Yes No Don't know

Showing All

The generational divideThe generational divideThe generational divideThe generational divide

110

Older Americans believe in the strength of

American values

All

Age

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

TOTAL STRONGER 36 31 31 36 48

Much stronger 12 10 10 11 18

Somewhat stronger 24 21 21 25 30

About the same 28 32 34 26 19

TOTAL WEAKER 33 36 34 34 22

Somewhat weaker 23 26 23 24 17

Much weaker 10 10 11 10 5

Don’t know 4 2 1 4 10

48%

31%

19%

32%

22%

36%

10%

2%

Stronger About the same Weaker Don't know

Age 18- 29

Age 65+

Do you think that American values in general are stronger, weaker, or about the same as in the rest of the world?

111

… and are less open to learning from other

countries

All

Age

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

Spread our values 15 8 18 13 25

Try to learn from the values of other

countries 31 45 34 26 20

Neither 51 46 47 59 50

Don’t know 2 1 1 2 5


8%

45% 46%

25%20%

50%

America should focus on trying tospread our values to othercountries around the world

America should try to learn from thevalues of other countries around

the world

Neither – America has its own values and should not concern itself with the values of other

countries

18-29 65+

112

Younger Americans consider religion less

important

- 19% of Americans ages 18- 29 do not believe in God, compared to 6% of Americans

age 65+

- 36% of Americans ages 18- 29 consider religion very important in their lives, compared

to 60% of those age 65+

Do you believe in

God? All

Age

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

Yes 89 81 90 91 92

No 11 19 10 9 6

Don’t know 0 0 0 0 2

19%10% 9% 6%

81%90% 91% 92%

18-29 30-44 45-65 65+

No Yes

How important is

religion in your own

life? All

Age

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

Very important 48 36 47 52 60

Fairly important 29 33 30 28 23

Not very important 23 31 23 20 17

Don't know 0 0 0 0 1

60%

52%

47%

36%

23%

28%

30%

33%

17%

20%

23%

31%

65+

45-65

30-44

18-29

Very importantFairly importantNot very important

113

Wide gap between those 18-29 years and those

65+ on what is morally acceptable


Showing % Morally acceptable / morally objectionable

All

Age Gap

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+% Morally acceptable

(18-29) – 65+

Adults viewing pornography 47/ 52 62/ 37 55/ 45 42/ 56 25/ 71 -37

An unmarried man and woman living

together 69/ 30 76/ 24 73/ 26 72/ 27 45/ 48 -31

Smoking marijuana 41/ 56 52/ 47 43/ 56 44/ 55 21/ 72 -31

Sex education in public schools 78/ 21 89/ 11 77/ 22 80/ 18 61/ 38 -28

Homosexuality 53/ 45 62/ 38 57/ 42 53/ 45 36/ 56 -26

Cloning designed to result in the birth of a

human being18/ 79 32/ 68 20/ 78 14/ 84 8/ 88 -24

Interracial marriage 83/ 15 87/ 12 91/ 8 82/ 16 65/ 29 -22

Underage drinking 14/ 85 29/ 70 15/ 84 8/ 92 7/ 92 -22

Pre-marital sex 60/ 39 66/ 33 63/ 35 61/ 39 45/ 51 -21

Having a child out of wedlock 57/ 40 63/ 37 55/ 43 61/ 35 44/ 51 -19

Abortion 41/ 57 52/ 46 35/ 63 40/ 58 36/ 59 -16

Using illegal drugs (other than marijuana) 11/ 89 15/ 85 15/ 83 8/ 92 3/ 95 -12

Athletes using performance enhancing

drugs 10/ 89 14/ 85 12/ 87 9/ 90 2/ 96 -12

114

Social media, political satirists have a greater

influence on younger Americans

When you think of how we learn what "right and wrong" means, how much of an influence would you say the following sources had or continue to have on developing your beliefs?

Showing % A great deal + a fair amount

All

Age

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

Family 93 90 92 92 94

The schools you attended K through 12 79 83 71 79 91

Higher education 77 77 72 75 87

Religious teachings 72 70 70 75 79

Books 71 72 69 66 83

Friends 70 73 69 69 71

Religious leaders 56 51 49 57 75

News media 51 54 50 45 58

Television and movies 46 57 45 41 42

Social media or the internet 44 59 41 40 38

Political leaders 35 42 31 32 40

Celebrities and professional athletes 31 45 27 26 31

Political satirists like Jon Stewart and Stephen

Colbert24 36 23 18 20

Political commentators like Rachel Maddow or

Rush Limbaugh 22 26 20 18 25

115

116

Thank you!

PSB American Values Survey

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Transcript of PSB American Values Survey