Hispanics and the GED
Hispanics have a much higher high school dropout rate than do blacks or whites, but far fewer obtain GEDs. Among dropouts, however, native-born Hispanics are four times more likely than foreign born to have a GED, and as likely as African American dropouts.
Public Supports Arizona Immigration Law
A majority approves of the new law, and larger percentages support requiring people to produce identification documents for police and allowing authorities to detain people unable to verify their legal status.
Oil Spill Seen As Ecological Disaster
Americans are critical of the government’s response to the environmental disaster in the Gulf, but even more so of BP. Support for offshore oil drilling is down, though Republican opinion is unchanged.
The New Demography of American Motherhood
Compared with mothers of newborns in 1990, today’s new moms are older, better educated and less likely to be white. A record 41% of births were to unmarried women; but most continue say this is bad for society.
“Socialism” Not So Negative, “Capitalism” Not So Positive
Reactions to words and phrases frequently used in political discourse reveal some surprises: Among the young, “capitalism” and “socialism” are rated about equally; “militia” scores poorly among all groups.
Pessimistic Public Doubts Effectiveness of Stimulus, TARP
As has been the case for most of the past two years, about nine-in-ten rate national economic conditions as only fair or poor. As a political consequence, the Democratic Party has lost ground to the Republican Party on a wide range of issues, including the job situation.
How Americans Interact with Government Online
Fully 82% of internet users (61% of all Americans) looked for information or completed a transaction on a government website in the past year. Most government website visitors were happy with their experience, accomplishing everything or much of what they wanted to do.
Teens, Cell Phones and Texting
Fully 72% of all teens — or 88% of teen cell phone users — send text messages, up from 51% of in 2006. Among all teens, text messaging has now overtaken every other common form of interaction with their friends.
Distrust, Discontent, Anger and Partisan Rancor
By almost every conceivable measure Americans are less positive and more critical of government these days.
Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa
In little more than a century, the religious landscape of sub-Saharan Africa has changed dramatically. In 1900, traditional African religions dominated. Since then, the numbers of both Muslims and Christians have risen into the hundreds of millions. A new survey explores how sub-Saharan Africans themselves view the role of religion in their lives and societies.
