NCJ Number
166198
Date Published
1992
Length
49 pages
Annotation
In late November 1991, more than 6,000 telephone interviews were conducted with voters throughout the United States to assess public opinions on the health, education, safety, and security of children.
Abstract
Although voters were primarily interested in lower taxes, affordable health care, and the economy, they also wanted the government to guarantee children health care, quality education, safe neighborhoods, and economic security. Voters most likely to support children's programs included working women (76 percent), young women (75 percent), young college graduates (71 percent), blacks (74 percent), and parents of children in public schools (73 percent). Voters indicated they wanted political candidates to take a real stand on children's issues. Voters who withheld support for children's candidates hesitated primarily because of their opposition to increased taxes. Further, voters worried about several problems facing children, such as poverty, college education costs, and lack of health insurance. Issues that voters worried about most were unsafe neighborhoods and poverty. Voters most supportive of changing priorities to help children were those who worried most about children. Voters wanted their children to do better and also wanted to see significant improvements in the commitment of government and society to children. Tables and figures