Study: Few Americans Know 1st Amendment

[markalot]

By ANNA JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

Americans apparently know more about "The Simpsons" than they do about the First Amendment.

Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition for redress of grievances.) But more than half can name at least two members of the cartoon family, according to a survey.

The study by the new McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum found that 22 percent of Americans could name all five Simpson family members, compared with just one in 1,000 people who could name all five First Amendment freedoms.

Joe Madeira, director of exhibitions at the museum, said he was surprised by the results.

"Part of the survey really shows there are misconceptions, and part of our mission is to clear up these misconceptions," said Madeira, whose museum will be dedicated to helping visitors understand the First Amendment when it opens in April. "It means we have our job cut out for us."

The survey found more people could name the three "American Idol" judges than identify three First Amendment rights. They were also more likely to remember popular advertising slogans.

It also showed that people misidentified First Amendment rights. About one in five people thought the right to own a pet was protected, and 38 percent said they believed the right against self-incrimination contained in the Fifth Amendment was a First Amendment right, the survey found.

The telephone survey of 1,000 adults was conducted Jan. 20-22 by the research firm Synovate and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

___

On the Net:

http://www.freedommuseum.us

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org

[Homsar]

Oh, but the people who know the Bill of Rights wouldn't have telephones, so this survey is crap.

[markalot]

Obviously a lot of people here are shocked about the lack of pet protection in our constitution. :D

[jcarwash31]

This just goes to show that the Bill of Rights needs to redefine its image, re-establish some street cred. It really needs a new PR team.

[george]

New Survey Shows Wide Gap Between Teens’ Knowledge of Constitution and Knowledge of Pop Culture:

More Teens Can Name Three Stooges Than Can Name Three Branches of Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 2, 1998) A new national survey released today at a US Senate hearing shows that when asked, more American teenagers:

-can name three of the Three Stooges than can name the three branches of government (59% to 41%)

-know the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air than know the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (94.7% to 2.2%)

-know which city has the zip code "90210" than the city in which the US Constitution was written (75% to 25%), and

-know the star of the motion picture "Titanic" than know the Vice President of the United States (90% to 74%).

These are just a few of the findings in an annual survey sponsored by the National Constitution Center (NCC) and released today prior to Constitution Week, September 17 - 23, marking the 211th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution. This year's survey compared teens' knowledge of the Constitution to their knowledge of pop culture. The survey results were released at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies chaired by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA).

"These results are alarming for everyone who cares about the future of our democracy," said Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell, Chairman of NCC. "The Constitution doesn't work by itself. It depends on active, informed citizens. And that's who these kids are: our future citizens."

"But we shouldn't view these poll results as an indictment of our teens," Rendell cautioned. Rendell pointed to survey analysis showing that teens whose parents discussed politics and current events with them regularly scored better than their peers. "This poll tells us that we all must work to better understand our Constitution. Because kids learn most of all from the example set by adults around them."

"It is no surprise to us that teens know more about pop culture than the Constitution but it is shocking that the gap is so wide," said Joseph Torsella, the NCC's President. "Ironically, it is the very essence of the Constitution that enables such a vibrant pop culture in this country. We need to do a better job helping our kids to understand that without their Constitution, most of their pop culture icons would not exist and the open and free communication they live with every day wouldn't flourish."

"This poll also shows us how to communicate this important knowledge to kids," Torsella added. "The results tells us that when teens feel something is interesting and relevant to their lives, they are open and ready to learn. The stories behind the Constitution are interesting and relevant; its our job to present them that way. If teens can understand the "girl power" mantra of the Spice Girls, then they can understand the history - and the relevancy - of the women's suffragette movement."

Rendell and Torsella were joined at the hearing by Dr. Richard Beeman of the University of Pennsylvania, a distinguished scholar of early American history. Beeman emphasized the importance of constitutional knowledge in preserving our freedoms. "Our founding fathers understood that our system of democratic government came with no guarantees. Not in 1787, or today. They knew that the new republic would require active, informed citizen involvement to preserve, protect, and defend it."

The nation-wide telephone survey contacted 600 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. The survey's margin of error is + 4%. The survey was conducted by Luntz Research Company, assisted by Shepardson Stern & Kaminskey.

Paired Questions (answers in parentheses) % Correct

In what city was the US Constitution written? (Philadelphia) 25.5%

In what city would you find the zip code 90210? (Beverly Hills) 75.2%


Name the Vice President of the United States. (Al Gore) 73.8%

Name the male star of the movie Titanic. (Leonardo DiCaprio) 89.7%


How many US Senators are there? (100) 21.2%

How many brothers are there in the musical group "Hanson"? (3) 81.2%


What are the first three words of the Constitution? ("We the People") 35.5%

What are the first three letters after "http"of almost every website address? www) 71.2%


What does the fifth amendment protect? (Double Jeopardy/Self-Incrimination/Right to a Grand Jury/Due Process/Compensation for Private Property Taken for Public Use) 25.0%

What does the device "The Club" protect? (car) 63.7%


In which century did American women obtain the right to vote? (20th) 54.3%

Which musical band celebrates "girl power"? (Spice Girls) 92.8%


Name the three branches of the federal government. (Executive, Judicial, Legislative) 41.2%

Name as many of the Three Stooges as you can. Curly/Larry/Moe/Shemp/Curly Joe) 59.2%


How old do you have to be to vote in a national election for president? (18) 90.8%

How old do you have to be to see a rated R movie in a theater without a parent or guardian? (17) 65.3%


Who is the Chief Justice of the United States? (William Rehnquist) 2.2%

Who played the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on Television? (Will Smith) 94.7%


What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution known as? (Bill of Rights) 44.8%

What comedian/talkshow host is known for his nightly "Top Ten List"? (David Letterman) 53.0%


Who is currently the Speaker of the House in the United States Congress? (Newt Gingrich) 32.7%

Who stars as the father of the house in TV's Home Improvement? (Tim Allen) 89.8%


Who is considered the father of the US Constitution? (James Madison) 1.8%

Who is considered the father of the computer company Microsoft? (Bill Gates) 58.3%


What landmark Supreme Court case found that separate but equal treatment for blacks and whites in public schools was unconstitutional? (Brown v. Board of Education) 9.2%

What famous football player was found not guilty of murdering his ex-wife in 1995? (OJ Simpson) 87.5%


What's the name of the town where Abraham Lincoln lived for most of his adult life and which he represented when in Congress? (Springfield) 12.2%

What's the name of the town where Bart Simpson lives? (Springfield) 74.3%

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/CitizenAction/CivicResearchResults/NCCTeens'Poll.shtml

[drougan]

They were also more likely to remember popular advertising slogans.



The Bill of Rights just needs a slick ad campaign

"Freedom of speech!

It really whips the Commies ass!"

[Homsar]

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States? (William Rehnquist) 2.2%

That's pretty darn bad, even worse than I thought.

[drougan]

That's pretty darn bad, even worse than I thought.


Of course...I didnt know that the CJ was Rehnquist until he died, especially during the Clinton years.

[Homsar]

Really? I thought the question "Who's the Supreme Justice" would maybe be more difficult right now, but then I saw that this poll was done when he was alive, and I thought that wasn't so good.

[drougan]

Really? I thought the question "Who's the Supreme Justice" would maybe be more difficult right now, but then I saw that this poll was done when he was alive, and I thought that wasn't so good.

Really? I would definitely say that I'm more up on SCJs who have been appointed while I've been alive (O'connor, Thomas, Alito, Roberts, etc...)

[Homsar]

Actually, I forgot Roberts was the new one.
Thanks!
:D
Maybe Rehnquist just stuck in my head for some reason.

[BigSugar]

"I'm just a bill, yes i'm only a bill, and i'm sitting here on Capital Hill, but then they send me to committee......."

[agate0ph0be]

i know jack shit about my government. and i'm not proud. or indifferent. i'm just good at procrastinating and therefore "haven't got around to" learning about my country's bureaucracies.

eh, like they really matter anyway. money drives politics, not protocol.

[MadIndie Chick]

Well you see the problem is that I watch the Simpsons every day...or at least every week...RARELY* do I sit down and read the founding documents of our nation.
the comparison of knowledge on the two subjects is apples to oranges...if the government would advertise a passage from the constitution or bill of rights inbetween the Simpsons this may solve all the problems.

*i.e. not since I was forced to in high school civics about 10 years ago :p

[drougan]

"I'm just a bill, yes i'm only a bill, and i'm sitting here on Capital Hill, but then they send me to committee......."

This is a quote from an episode of the Simpsons yes?

How ironic.

[Homsar]

The Simpsons WISH they said that first.

[drougan]

The Simpsons WISH they said that first.

Then where did it come from?

[purple_octopus]

Then where did it come from?
Come on now. You're not *that* much younger than I am. Are you saying you don't remember School House Rock? :p

[Shlep]

Well you see the problem is that I watch the Simpsons every day...or at least every week...RARELY* do I sit down and read the founding documents of our nation.

And the US Constitution isn't nearly as funny when you're stoned.

This is a quote from an episode of the Simpsons yes?

How ironic.

No, it's from an old Schoolhouse Rock bit about how a bill becomes a law.

Though The Simpsons did hire the same voice talent who played the bill in that bit to do a direct send-up of it as a song about Constitutional amendments.

"You mean then we can write all sortsa crazy laws!!"
"Now ya got it!! Aaaaan if Ted Kennedy opposes it/we'll just saaaay he's gaaaaaay!!"

It was hilarious. :D

[drougan]

Come on now. You're not *that* much younger than I am. Are you saying you don't remember School House Rock? :p

I prolly very seldom saw it. I grew up pretty exclusively on MTV, HBO, and USA's Cartoon Express.

[drougan]

Though The Simpsons did hire the same voice talent who played the bill in that bit to do a direct send-up of it as a song about Constitutional amendments.

"You mean then we can write all sortsa crazy laws!!"
"Now ya got it!! Aaaaan if Ted Kennedy opposes it/we'll just saaaay he's gaaaaaay!!"

It was hilarious. :D

Thanks Shlep...good to know I wasnt totally full of shit :D

[agate0ph0be]

Then where did it come from?

shit i even know that and i ran screaming from the classroom every time a teacher tried to resurrect tha annoying bullshit.

honestly, the state of the youth these days...

[crazybob60]

i know my 1st!

[drougan]

shit i even know that and i ran screaming from the classroom every time a teacher tried to resurrect tha annoying bullshit.

honestly, the state of the youth these days...

Hey, you are young enough to have experienced the resurgence in coolness that was schoolhouse rock in the 90s.

[Sushi]

From the Schoolhouse Rock website (http://www.school-house-rock.com/index.html)

Boy: Whew! You sure gotta climb
a lot of steps to get to this
Capitol Building here in
Washington. But I wonder who
that sad little scrap of paper is?

I'm just a bill.
Yes, I'm only a bill.
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city.
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee,
But I know I'll be a law some day
At least I hope and pray that I will
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: Gee, Bill, you certainly have a lot of patience and courage.
Bill: Well, I got this far. When I started I wasn't even a bill, I was just an idea.
Some folks back home decided they wanted a law passed, so they called
their local Congressman, and said, "You're right, there oughta be a law."
Then he sat down and wrote me out and introduced me to Congress. And I
became a bill, and I'll remain a bill until they decide to make me a law.

I'm just a bill
Yes I'm only a bill,
And I got as far as Capitol Hill.
Well, now I'm stuck in committee
And I'll sit here and wait
While a few key Congressmen discuss
and debate
Whether they should let me be a law.
How I hope and pray that they will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: Listen to those Congressmen arguing! Is all that discussion and debate about you?
Bill: Yeah, I'm one of the lucky ones. Most bills never even get this far. I hope they
decide
to report on me favorably, otherwise I may die.
Boy: Die?
Bill: Yeah, die in committee. Ooh, but it looks like I'm gonna live!
Now I go to the House of Representatives, and they vote on me.
Boy: If they vote yes, what happens?
Bill: Then I go to the Senate and the whole thing starts all over again.
Boy: Oh no!
Bill: Oh yes!

I'm just a bill
Yes, I'm only a bill
And if they vote for me on Capitol Hill
Well, then I'm off to the White House
Where I'll wait in a line
With a lot of other bills
For the president to sign
And if he signs me, then I'll be a law.
How I hope and pray that he will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Boy: You mean even if the Whole Congress says you
should be a law, the president can still say no?
Bill: Yes, that's called a veto. If the president vetoes
me, I have to go back to Congress and they vote
on me again, and by that time you're so old...
Boy: By that time it's very unlikely that you'll become
a law. It's not easy to become a law, is it?
Bill: No!

But how I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Congressman: He signed you, Bill!
Now you're a law!
Bill: Oh yes!!!

[markalot]

But how I hope and pray that I will,
But today I am still just a bill.

Did he say pray?

OMG, separation of church and state!!!!
I'm being oppressed.

Schoolhouse rock was the best, they need to bring it back.

[Donyo]

So basically these surveys prove that the public in general learns more from TV than they do from history and political science classes in school. Huge surprise there. Which medium has the most exposure?

[jcarwash31]

So basically these surveys prove that the public in general learns more from TV than they do from history and political science classes in school. Huge surprise there. Which medium has the most exposure?
Yeah.

I think these studies come out to try to illustrate that people are getting dumber or more ignorant or something like that, but they have absolutely no historical evidence to compare to so any comparison would be invalid. We have no idea if knowledge about the Constitution among Americans is getting worse, staying relatively the same, or improving. It really just gives you something to chuckle at. After all, some of the rights don't even make sense.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/o/jonfoote/dali/other/Beararms.jpg

[bjk15]

there should just be an all-encompassing thread of how americans are getting more dumb with every birth.

i know i'm maybe around the average in intelligence, but when one of my history teachers told me that there was a survey of teenagers that also said that 20% of them thought our civil war was against britain makes me feel that much worse. i mean if i'm 50% and the bottom 20% has never had a clue, sheesh.

[george]

there should just be an all-encompassing thread of how americans are getting more dumb with every birth.


Statistically speaking, that's probably true. Intelligence is very much a factor of genetics and intelligent women tend to go to college and join the workforce. Women who go to college and join the workforce tend to have fewer children. Hence, the (presumably intelligent) offspring of intelligent women are lower in number than the (presumably less intelligent) offspring of less intelligent women.

[jcarwash31]

there should just be an all-encompassing thread of how americans are getting more dumb with every birth.

i know i'm maybe around the average in intelligence, but when one of my history teachers told me that there was a survey of teenagers that also said that 20% of them thought our civil war was against britain makes me feel that much worse. i mean if i'm 50% and the bottom 20% has never had a clue, sheesh.

Statistically speaking, that's probably true. Intelligence is very much a factor of genetics and intelligent women tend to go to college and join the workforce. Women who go to college and join the workforce tend to have fewer children. Hence, the (presumably intelligent) offspring of intelligent women are lower in number than the (presumably less intelligent) offspring of less intelligent women.
This is what I am talking about. We don't have studies/surveys from 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 20 years ago, or what have you. Maybe there is a higher percentage of teens who know who fought in the Civil War than there was 10 years ago. There is no basis of comparison here. We think that kids are getting dumber because it seems a large number don't know facts that we think are common knowledge. Kids could be getting smarter.

The genetics thought could have some merit, but statistically speaking you would have to have a significant sample size of women and look at variables like education, in or not in workforce, # of children, and a reliable measure for intelligence in order to test the hypothesis. My gut feeling is that it would not turn up any significant differences in groups of women and intelligent offspring.

[bjk15]

well jc31, technically you can't compare stats from x years ago to now b/c their "environment" that they were raised is different, but thats just my point. and i'm sure that someone, somewhere has done a study of the same certain questions being asked of the youth over a long period of time.

i would say on the average kids are just as smart if not smarter than they have ever been, but i would say that the "level of intelligence" gap has gotten larger between the bottom rung and the top rung. i know a fair few teachers and a lot of them say that a) their fellow teachers are basically not smart enough to be teaching adequately, b) parents bitch and complain when their students get bad grades regardless of the reason (which often is that the student is putting forth the effort), c) the weaker areas like the sciences are so b/c a lot of those "potential" teachers are not interested in dealing with kids vs. adults, d) the no student left behind act isn't helping b/c 1) the poorer teachers only teach that curriculum and 2) this causes the students to only tolerate the subjects, not appreciate them.

i know most of you know this and that is the scary part. every one knows the situation, but it isn't getting better. and "trend setters" like california have been going to semi-private schools, where they have "public" schools that "want" donations from each student... i always feel like that quote from the movie "the rock", where nic cage says (not verbatim) it would be an act of cruelty to actual consider to have a child in this day and age.

[agate0ph0be]

Hey, you are young enough to have experienced the resurgence in coolness that was schoolhouse rock in the 90s.

nope i missed that. we didn't watch it in elem. school. they were too busy torturing us with mr. goodbody. i wasn't forced to watch that until 8th grade.

[george]

well jc31, technically you can't compare stats from x years ago to now b/c their "environment" that they were raised is different, but thats just my point. and i'm sure that someone, somewhere has done a study of the same certain questions being asked of the youth over a long period of time.

i would say on the average kids are just as smart if not smarter than they have ever been, but i would say that the "level of intelligence" gap has gotten larger between the bottom rung and the top rung. i know a fair few teachers and a lot of them say that a) their fellow teachers are basically not smart enough to be teaching adequately, b) parents bitch and complain when their students get bad grades regardless of the reason (which often is that the student is putting forth the effort), c) the weaker areas like the sciences are so b/c a lot of those "potential" teachers are not interested in dealing with kids vs. adults, d) the no student left behind act isn't helping b/c 1) the poorer teachers only teach that curriculum and 2) this causes the students to only tolerate the subjects, not appreciate them.

i know most of you know this and that is the scary part. every one knows the situation, but it isn't getting better. and "trend setters" like california have been going to semi-private schools, where they have "public" schools that "want" donations from each student... i always feel like that quote from the movie "the rock", where nic cage says (not verbatim) it would be an act of cruelty to actual consider to have a child in this day and age.

This is part of the debate going on right now. It used to be assumed that children were blank slates who started off (generally speaking) at the same intelligence level and that education made the most difference.

Lately, this assumption has come into question and some researchers have argued that genetics makes a much, much larger contribution than education.

There was a good chapter in Freakonomics that looked at the Chicago public school system and found that going to a much better school made no statistical difference in academic performance.

[markalot]

That's a pretty dangerous assertion if not backed up by a ton of research. The next thing you'll see is some asshat claiming blacks or mexicans really are dumber.

I'm curious how intelligence can be judged outside of the environment that they live in. I guess I'm calling bullshit.

[bjk15]

comparing school's academic performance isn't as simple as comparing grades b/c the grading curve/scale may differ as well as the test material. it is as good as we can do, but it still doesn't really compare very well. although, it is easier to compare now that there are test standards that everyone has to meet. i also find it sad that teachers are hindered in their teaching style b/c they have these standards as well. teaching styles are almost like snowflakes to me and trying to force them into the same type of shape is not a good thing, imo.

genetics can play a role in intelligence, but it still requires the parents to want their child/ren to like learning. not forced and not neglected, but like it. i believe that is and always will be the biggest factor. moreso than the school or the teacher or the man... sorry, that last one slipped. anywho, so teachers can make students hate school and too often they do, but it is up to their parents to help them realize that that is life and not something to bitch about.

[george]

That's a pretty dangerous assertion if not backed up by a ton of research. The next thing you'll see is some asshat claiming blacks or mexicans really are dumber.

I'm curious how intelligence can be judged outside of the environment that they live in. I guess I'm calling bullshit.

Kids in Chicago got to choose which high school they wanted to attend. Spots were assigned randomly, by lottery. A study later showed that the kids who did not get selected in the lottery and had to stay at their underperforming schools performed just as well on standardized tests, college entrance exams, etc... as the kids who won the lottery and got to attend the better schools.

As for the nature vs. nurture argument, there are hundreds of studies of adoptees and twins that show strong genetic influences. Some studies claim the break is 60% genes, 40% environment. It's still an open debate. (And a very sensitive one.)

[markalot]

Kids in Chicago got to choose which high school they wanted to attend. Spots were assigned randomly, by lottery. A study later showed that the kids who did not get selected in the lottery and had to stay at their underperforming schools performed just as well on standardized tests, college entrance exams, etc... as the kids who won the lottery and got to attend the better schools.

As for the nature vs. nurture argument, there are hundreds of studies of adoptees and twins that show strong genetic influences. Some studies claim the break is 60% genes, 40% environment. It's still an open debate. (And a very sensitive one.)


Right, but as for the Chicago study; the kids homes stayed the same, only the schools changed. I guess I'm not suprised.

[despondent]

I wouldn't say Americans are less intelligent, but I would say that they are more ignorant. Intelligence is the capacity for learning and understanding and I don't think that the youth of today are much different in that regard. Ignorant is simply lacking in knowledge. Of course, there are MANY different reasons why ignorance levels could be up.

[bjk15]

okay, fine, i'll go with that despo, higher ignorant levels.

[markalot]

okay, fine, i'll go with that despo, higher ignorant levels.

Compared to who? Give me a point of reference. Sounds like America bashing to me.

[despondent]

Compared to who? Give me a point of reference. Sounds like America bashing to me.
I'm not placing any judgment on it. Increased ignorance in one or more particular areas could also mean that there is increased knowledge in other areas. It comes down to a value judgment as to what areas of knowledge we collectively as a society desire.

[bjk15]

Compared to who? Give me a point of reference. Sounds like America bashing to me.
well, this thread had a survey earlier that described how more people know about celebrities and their lives moreso than political and worldwide current events. that is what i consider ignorant. knowing if jessica simpson and nick lachey are going through a divorce is what i consider ignorant. and i guarantee you that more teenagers know about that than they know about this katrina aftermath stuff, guarantee it. and that is ignorance to me.

this isn't my field of expertise. so no, i don't have scientific evidence to support or deflate my argument. they are posts of my opinion based upon teachers of my age, which obviously is limited. and my opinion is also based upon my history of growing up, so obviously it is all biased... b/c i'm not an expert in this regard. if it sounds like america bashing, its b/c i don't know what the other countries do or were like and so i can't comment on any other country. i didn't compare it to any other country now did i.

so, why don't you prove to me that students are more aware and knowledgable today?

[markalot]

I can't prove anything either way. I got no facts.

I consider myself better then the average bear and I couldn't name everything in the first amendment. But I can remember by favorite Krusty joke.

Ok, A guy walks into a bar with a tiny piano and a 12 inch pianist .. hey hey hey, I can't tell that joke here.

[jcarwash31]

so, why don't you prove to me that students are more aware and knowledgable today?
It really can't be done. Just like you can't prove that students are less aware and knowledgeable today, unless there have been similar studies done in the past they can be compared to. All we can do with this information is speculate.

well jc31, technically you can't compare stats from x years ago to now b/c their "environment" that they were raised is different, but thats just my point. and i'm sure that someone, somewhere has done a study of the same certain questions being asked of the youth over a long period of time.Well I believe that we would be testing if the different "environment" has an effect on students' ignorance or intelligence. You would think that someone has done some sort of study along these lines.

[Homsar]

Can you call it ignorance if it isn't what's in the media every day?
Pop culture gets waaaay more exposure to the general public than politics.

[markalot]

The constitution is not politics. ;)

[Homsar]

Yeah, so it's even LESS exposed.

[markalot]

Yeah, so it's even LESS exposed.

agreed, last I studied it was ... 1976