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Americans hold traditional ideas about families, poll findsPosted by Randy on: 2005-11-06 15:32:39 in category:
Retirement Planning [ Print | Permalink / 0 Comment(s) ] Americans hold traditional ideas about families, poll finds By Anna Flavia Rocha e Silva Scripps Howard Foundation Wire WASHINGTON – Traditional families are idealized by most Americans, according to a poll conducted for the TV program "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" that found strong support for ever-lasting marriage. Nearly half of those polled agreed that married people are happier than unmarried ones. And 80 percent agreed that is better for children if their parents are married. The nationwide survey, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research Inc., defined traditional families as married couples, never divorced, with children under 18 in the household. The survey was conducted in connection with a four-part PBS series called “Faith and Family in America” that is scheduled to begin Oct. 28. It will explore the relationship between religion and family values in the U.S. “We wonder what the definition of family is today,” said Bob Abernethy, executive editor and host of "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" on Wednesday at a news conference to announce the results. He said that the program aims to investigate how religious institutions are responding to the non-traditional family. “People’s notions of family are quite flexible,” said Anna Greenberg, vice president of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner. She said the survey shows differences in the way that Americans define family and also a gap between beliefs and reality. The survey shows that only 34 percent of Americans define family in the most traditional sense as parents and children. And, although 52 percent of families believe that divorce is “often a good thing,” Americans in both traditional and nontraditional families – 71 percent of those polled – support the ideal of family and ever-lasting marriage. In addition, religion still is an essential aspect of life in both traditional and nontraditional families, as 49 percent of each said they read religious scriptures every week. In traditional families, 50 percent said they attend religious services once a week or more. In nontraditional families, 36 percent do so. John C. Green, professor of political science at the University of Akron, said the survey shows that religious ideas persist. He also said that Americans are becoming more tolerant because they are experiencing changes in their realities. Most people in traditional families have experiences with non-traditional families and people who hold non-traditional values. Morality was the most important concern for 18 percent of those surveyed. Asked to define morality, 36 percent related it to personal values such as honesty and responsibility. Only 10 percent listed social issues such as abortion or marriage. “Most Americans will get married, and most Americans marriages will last until one of the partners dies,” said W. Bradford Wilcox, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Virginia who defined himself as an optimistic. He explained that it is easy for parents to provide more information, education and money to their children if they are married. “There is no doubt from the social science evidences that kids do best in an intact married family,” he said. The researchers interviewed 1,130 adults from July 25 to Aug. 7. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Open community website http://www.business-business.biz http://www.investment-investment.us http://www.retirement-retirement.com Recommended sites To design your custom retirement plan. http://www.retirement-plan.us For planning an IRA rollover this is the site to review. http://www.ira-rollover.us For professional asset allocation and the wonders it can do. http://www.asset-allocation.us Managers selected to fit your needs. http://www.money-managers.us Top rated manager http://www.durig.com |
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