Social Issues

CA Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage Bucks Majority View

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:00 GMT

The California Supreme Court's decision to overturn a state ban on gay marriage runs contrary to how the majority of Americans feel about the issue. Only 40% believe marriages between same-sex couples should be legally valid; 56% say they should not be.

Post-Derby Tragedy, 38% Support Banning Animal Racing

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:45:00 GMT

While in general, Americans do not favor giving animals the same rights and protections as humans, 38% do favor an outright ban on horse and dog racing.

Indians More Satisfied Than Chinese With Schools

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Despite China's legendary educational system, more Indians (77%) than Chinese (66%) say they are satisfied with their schools -- an important factor as both economic giants continue to grow their well-educated workforces.

Little Increase in Americans' Global Warming Worries

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

While 61% of Americans say the effects of global warming have already begun, just a little more than a third say they worry about it a great deal, a percentage that is roughly the same as the one Gallup measured 19 years ago.

In the U.S., 28% Report Major Changes to Live "Green"

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Most Americans seem willing to play a small part in protecting the environment, but not to alter their lifestyles to a significant degree -- 28% report making major changes in their living habits and 55% minor changes to aid the environment.

Latin Americans: Dignity Denied to Region's Youth

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Across 25 Latin American countries surveyed in 2006 and 2007, a median 41% of residents say children in their country are treated with dignity and respect. That's far below the median result for any other global region, including Africa, where the median figure is 60%.

Wives Still Do Laundry, Men Do Yard Work

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Married couples in America today maintain a strong and traditional division of labor, with 68% of married adults saying the wife does the laundry, and 57% saying the husband does the yard work. There has been little change in these patterns over the past 11 years.

Public Believes Americans Have Right to Own Guns

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A recent USA Today/Gallup poll finds that 73% of Americans believe the Second Amendment guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns.

Most Americans Not Willing to Forgive Unfaithful Spouse

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:15:00 GMT

Roughly 6 in 10 Americans say they would not forgive their spouse for an extramarital affair (64%), would seek a divorce if one occurred (62%), and would not stand by their spouse if he or she were an elected official who had to face the media to address questions of infidelity (61%).

Among Americans, Smoking Decreases as Income Increases

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:15:00 GMT

In an unprecedented new effort aimed at measuring individual and collective well-being, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index reveals a frequent inverse relationship between smoking and income.

Balkan Nations at Odds With Greece Over Macedonia's Name

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Despite Greece's criticism of Macedonia for using the same name as a Greek province, a regional median of 60% of respondents from six Balkan nations and special areas agree with the use of the name "Macedonia."

Polluted Drinking Water Was No. 1 Concern Before AP Report

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:15:00 GMT

Americans typically express more concern about polluted drinking water than any other environmental concern, and do so again this year.

Baseball Fans: Clemens Lied About Steroid Use

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Most baseball fans believe Roger Clemens lied when he said he never took steroids. Even so, fans on balance say they have a favorable opinion of him, and most believe he should be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Marital Status and Party Preference Often Related

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Americans' party affiliation varies by their marital status. Unmarried Americans are more likely to identify as Democrats than as independents or in particular Republicans, while married Americans tilt toward the GOP. Within the group of U.S. Republicans, the married vastly outnumber the unmarried.

Youth Development Challenges in Bulgaria, Romania

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:30:00 GMT

A key challenge for the newest members of the European Union, Romania and Bulgaria, is improving the treatment of children in their countries. At least 30% of respondents in each country say children are not treated with respect and dignity.

One in Six Americans Gamble on Sports

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Gallup's Lifestyle Poll finds that 17% of Americans gambled on professional sports in the past year -- either by betting on the outcome of a game or by participating in an office pool tied to a sporting event. More generally, 65% of Americans report participating in any type of gambling in the last year.

Belgium's Interim Government Faces Economic Challenges

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:30:00 GMT

After lacking a government for six months, Belgium's interim government now must address the nation's ongoing economic challenges, including inflation and unemployment. Forty-three percent of Belgians are dissatisfied with efforts to increase the number and quality of jobs.

State of the Union: Comparing Satisfaction 2001 to 2008

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Of 27 societal or policy areas tested annually in Gallup's Mood of the Nation poll, Americans are significantly less satisfied now than they were in 2001 in 13 of these areas, with the largest declines concerning the economy and the U.S. role in world affairs. Satisfaction has increased in six areas.

State of the Union: Both Good and Bad

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Despite dismal approval ratings for President Bush and Congress, Americans are not entirely negative about all aspects of the "state of the union." Most Americans are satisfied with the U.S. "quality of life," among eight other areas; most are dissatisfied with the economy and other domestic issues.

An Inexplicable Jump in Americans' Long-Term Optimism

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Half of Americans rate current conditions in the country on the positive end of a 0-to-10 scale, exactly the same as a year ago. At the same time, Americans have become notably more optimistic about where the country will be in five years. The increase is seen among Republicans and Democrats alike.

On King Holiday, a Split Review of Civil Rights Progress

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:00:00 GMT

New Gallup polling finds most Americans hesitant to say the goals of Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1960s civil rights movement have been achieved. Just 43% say all or most of the goals have been achieved. Still, perceptions of civil rights gains are more positive today than they were a decade ago.

Most Football Fans Don't Want Patriots to Go Undefeated

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Even though a slim majority of pro football fans believe the New England Patriots will have a perfect 2007 season, most would rather see the Patriots lose at least one game. Fans would not be overly upset regardless of which outcome occurs.

Hillary Edges Out Oprah as Most Admired Woman in '07

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:00:00 GMT

George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton are the most admired man and woman once again in 2007, edging out Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey, respectively. The Rev. Billy Graham finished among the top 10 most admired men for the 51st time and Queen Elizabeth II finished among the top 10 women for the 41st time.

Baseball Fans: Punish Players Named in Steroid Report

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:15:00 GMT

The majority of baseball fans say Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig should punish current players who are named in the report on past steroid use in baseball. Two in three fans say steroid use has either gone up or remained at the level it was at five years ago, with one-third saying it has declined.

Lobbyists Debut at Bottom of Honesty and Ethics List

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Americans rate lobbyists, car salesmen, and advertising practitioners as having the lowest honesty and ethical standards of 22 professions tested in Gallup's annual update. Nurses, as usual, rate at the top of the list. Ratings of congressmen have reached a new low.