Over the Wire

Saving Green on the Little Things

The Harris Poll Wrap-Up is back! This time, Dan and Whitney hit the streets of New York City, asking folks what little things they are cutting back on to save money.

 

 

America’s Operating Systems

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So if you are anything like me, you have a “to do” list a mile long and you feel a sense of accomplishment every time you cross something off and lament what just keeps moving forward from one day to the next with no end in sight.  

My general impression is that these lists and systems are what keep us Americans afloat and stop us from turning into a puddle of emoticons at the end of each multi-tasking day.  And so, we have a pyramid for our food choices, a catalog for our library books, a “feng shui” for our rooms, and a store for our Containers.

But at the macro-level, according to a new Harris Poll, the majority of us rate almost every system in American life as fair/poor.  We are decidedly un-impressed by our:

• System of government (57%)
• Legal system (63%)
• Health care system (67%)
• Economic system (68%)
• Political system (72%)

In each case, I’m not sure which system we would like better (or even if we could find any collective agreement), but luckily we rate our “TV, movies and entertainment” highly so we can get our mind off perfecting all that other stuff.

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Data Snapshot

Harris Poll Happiness Index edged downward from 35% of Americans who said they were very happy in both 2008 and 2009 to 33% who say the same in 2010.

For full data and methodology, click here.

We've Come A Long Way, Baby

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Here we are on the 50th anniversary of FDA approval of the birth control pill, and according to a Harris Poll released last week, our attitudes about the pill – generally speaking – remain positive:

• Almost 9 in 10 Americans say the availability of the pill has been good for society – and 56% say it has been very good.  Even 80% of Republicans say (though somewhat more tepidly) that access to the pill is good (either somewhat or very good).
• Approximately 9 in 10 Americans believe the pill is effective at preventing pregnancy – and 59% say it is very effective.  Regardless of gender and age.

However, access to the pill does not appear to have fully abated our apprehension about pregnancy (the unplanned kind).  Sixteen years ago, 90% of Americans said that unplanned pregnancies were a problem in the United States – and 60% said a “really big problem.”  Today these numbers have dropped significantly to 71% and 32% respectively but unfortunately are still too high.  

The going belief remains that a decline in moral standards (which were apparently declining 16 years ago and are still declining today) and a lack of education are the main causes of unplanned pregnancies.  Birth control (or lack thereof) does not appear to the major roadblock to eliminating unplanned pregnancies (at least that’s the perception). Though before we feel totally at ease with the state of birth control in the U.S., 68-81% of Americans still say that lack of access, understanding, or money to obtain and/or use birth control is at least somewhat of a factor in the rate of unplanned pregnancies.

So, what’s the public policy directive then – more money to schools, to sex education, to improving our moral standards?  What should your local politician do?

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Money Woes Turning Us into Better People?

Building on Kathy’s post from mid-February, we all consider - and occasionally make - changes to our lifestyles to save money.  In Kathy’s post, she commented about generic brands becoming more in vogue now that our pocketbooks are more in arrears.  But using the same Harris Poll from February, here are some other ways that many of us become more improved versions of ourselves when money becomes an object:

1. We cut out caffeine (21%) – and actually drink something healthier instead?
2. We decrease or eliminate our cable TV watching (22%) – and actually spend more time outdoors?
3. We use more carpools and mass transit (14%) – and actually spend more quality time with others?
4. We cancel or change our cell phone service (17%) or landline service (15%) – and actually spend more time building relationships in person?
5. We make our lunch ourselves instead of buying it (45%) – and actually eat healthier, fresher alternatives? 
6. We make “greener” choices (34% switch to refillable water bottles; 33% cancel one or more magazine subscriptions; 22% cut down on dry cleaning; 19% cancel newspaper subscriptions; 14% carpool or take mass transportation) – and actually reduce our carbon footprint?

It’s the silver lining by-product of the recession.  Has our broken economy forced you into making any better, healthier choices?

OTW Birthday Week: Cliff Huxtable Named #1 TV Dad

Introduction by Deana Percassi, Research Director, Public Relations Research

Thinking about my favorite OTW blog post from this past year took hardly any time at all…America’s Favorite TV Dads immediately came to mind.  There is no doubt in my mind that many of us were influenced or at least could recall the funny things Cliff Huxtable would do (dancing, zerbers, etc).

The real question – which is also the question that occurred to me when reading the original Harris Poll – Who is that role model of today?  Out of the top 15 only 1 dad who is currently on TV made the list and that is Homer Simpson.  I decline to comment on him in particular with fear that I will likely offend some people.

If this question is asked 20 years from now, who will our kids say was/is their favorite TV dad?  Or if we asked the question with regards to current TV dads (i.e., shows currently in production, not syndicated reruns)…who would come out on top?  Can we answer the question?  How many dads to we truly have to choose from?  Alan Harper from Two and a Half Men?  How about Jay Pritchett from Modern Family (who, coincidentally, is played by Ed O’Neill who also played Al Bundy who tied for 15th on the original list)?  How about Phil Dunphy from Modern Family? Or Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker from Modern Family?  Has TV and the traditional American family really changed that much – I mean where are all the “father figures” on TV and why do 4 of my 5 come from one show?

Original Post by Laura Light, Vice-President of Public Relations Research, June 22, 2009

According to a recent Harris Poll, Cliff Huxtable from The Cosby Show tops the list of America’s favorite TV dads.  Hands down, Cliff wins in almost every demographic category – age, gender, race/ethnicity and political party. 

There are some slight generational differences outside of Cliff – echo boomers choose Danny Tanner as the other dad in their top 2, while Gen X-ers choose Mike Brady, baby boomers Ward Cleaver and matures Jim Anderson.

Based on the full list, as a general rule, we like our dads disarmingly witty, professionally successful and oh yes, happily married.  But it’s been almost been two decades since we introduced a TV dad into our homes that makes us feel happy or real or consequential or whatever it is that TV dads are supposed to do. 

According to the poll, we met most of our top 10 TV dads prior to 1975; one in the 80s (Cliff Huxtable, The Cosby Show); one in the 90s (Tim Taylor, Home Improvement), but sadly not even one this decade. Not one! 

Who is your favorite TV dad?  Do you agree with America?

According to a recent Harris Poll, Cliff Huxtable from The Cosby Show tops the list of America’s favorite TV dads.  Hands down, Cliff wins in almost every demographic category – age, gender, race/ethnicity and political party. 

There are some slight generational differences outside of Cliff – echo boomers choose Danny Tanner as the other dad in their top 2, while Gen X-ers choose Mike Brady, baby boomers Ward Cleaver and matures Jim Anderson.

Based on the full list, as a general rule, we like our dads disarmingly witty, professionally successful and oh yes, happily married.  But it’s been almost been two decades since we introduced a TV dad into our homes that makes us feel happy or real or consequential or whatever it is that TV dads are supposed to do. 

According to the poll, we met most of our top 10 TV dads prior to 1975; one in the 80s (Cliff Huxtable, The Cosby Show); one in the 90s (Tim Taylor, Home Improvement), but sadly not even one this decade. Not one! 

Who is your favorite TV dad?  Do you agree with America?

Nature or Nurture?

In case you have just joined this blog this week, I have a daughter and a son, both of whom I happily talk about whenever I can find even the most tenuous link to a blog post...  But today, I actually have a semi-strong connection to discuss. 

I have constant wonderment as a parent about the differences between my two kids – is it gender? Birth order?  My ever-changing parenting style?  The temperament they were born with?

Before becoming a mom, I swore I would mold the “perfect” child but now I feel like I am doing a good job if I am able to impact the margins.  Mostly I just hope to soften the edges a little bit, help my kids grow to be better citizens and, ideally, make informed, positive choices. 

And this last point gets us to the data for today….

According to the study we conducted for the Girl Scout Research Institute (that has been discussed throughout the week), boys and girls are equally unlikely to make poor choices that directly impact their academic performance, like cheating on a test or lying to a principal.

• Cheating on a test—Boys (8%) vs. Girls (7%)
• Lying to a principal—Boys (27%) vs. Girls (27%)

However, teenage boys are more likely to make decisions that can aversely affect others – ending a friendship with a gay and lesbian peer, choosing to have sex, advising someone else to get an abortion.  And, they are also less interested in volunteering to support their community.

• End a friendship with a gay or lesbian peer—Boys (20%) vs. Girls (7%)
• Have sex if their significant other wanted to—Boys (38%) vs. Girls (18%)
• Advise friend to get an abortion—Boys (12%) vs. Girls (6%)
• Volunteer to support community—Boys (77%) vs. Girls (81%)

Following stereotype, while girls appear to be more focused on the “other” (their community, their friends) and making a difference in the world around them, they are also more likely to make risky choices for themselves. 

• Drink alcohol with friends and not worry about it—Boys (14%) vs. Girls (20%)
• Take money from parents without asking—Boys (2%) vs. Girls (4%)

Clearly the dialogue with boys and girls needs to offer a slightly different lens.  We see hints of the differences in this data, but also throughout our youth research whether it be on health, politics or employment. 

We very much appreciate the insight on Wednesday from Judy Schoenberg, Director, Research & Outreach, Girl Scouts of the USA on what the Girl Scouts are doing to translate teens’ good intentions to good actions. 

And wondering from you, what else should we all be doing as parents, friends and mentors?

Data Snapshot

71% of teens today say that their religious beliefs are important to them. --- Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today, commissioned by the Girl Scouts of America and conducted using online and school-based techniques between October 2, 2008 and January 23, 2009, among a national sample of 3,263 students—boys and girls in grades 3 through 12, both in and out of Girl Scouting

Took Some Time To Celebrate... At Home

Are we as a nation growing up -- or has the economy just tempered our need to party til the sun comes up?

According to the latest Harris Poll, most Americans will still go to the same number of parties and spend the same amount of time with family this year as they did last year...

But for a significant minority, the thought of building a fire, grabbing a Scrabble game board, and just hanging out has become even more appealing:

• 38% will spend more family time at home (only 7% will spend less family time at home);
• 23% will spend less time doing family activities away from home (17% more);
• 30% will spend less time attending holiday parties (12% more); and,
• 38% will spend less time hosting holiday parties (10% more).

Why the increased focus on family? Is it the holiday spirit? The economy? Or just a good old fashioned "family first" mentality?

Whatever the reason, and however you choose to spend it, to all: may you and your family have a great Thanksgiving!

The Economic Grinch

If you dread holiday gift shopping (and 18% of us do), then the economy is a double whammy...because now you don't even have the money to buy that robotic dinosaur that your cousin never wanted. Now you actually have to shop smarter...what a buzz kill!

According to the latest Harris Poll, almost 1 in 2 Americans who will be doing holiday shopping this year say they will be spending less this holiday season, and the majority of holiday shoppers say that finding the best sales and discounts is their #1 priority...more important than finding the hottest products, receiving good customer service, or having a calm and enjoyable experience.

So, the winners are (not surprisingly) discount retailers like Walmart and Target: 26% of Americans plan to spend more at discount stores than they did last year, while significant proportions of Americans expect to spend less at:

• Top-tier department stores (52%);
• Specialty stores (49%);
• Electronics stores (41%);
• Off-price stores like TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack (40%);
• And even warehouse stores like Costco and B.J.'s (35%).

Our immediate family will still make out relatively the same, but everyone else on our shopping list from friends to colleagues to service providers are significantly more likely to get less than more...though Kathy, my daughter will still sooner see flying pigs than get her badly-craved puppy.