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Harris Interactive Survey Reveals 69% of US Teenagers Support Military Action Against Those Responsible for September 11 Attacks
* Support falls substantially if American
service people will be placed at risk or if there will be civilian
casualties;
* Nation's young unwilling to give up civil liberties to prevent future terrorist acts
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 28, 2001 /PRNewswire/ -- American teenagers are confident that those responsible for the September 11 attacks will be found and punished and are supportive of potential U.S. military action. But, this support falls substantially if it means American service people will be placed at risk or if there will be civilian casualties.
These are among the findings of a new nationwide survey of teenagers released today by Harris Interactive. The poll conducted online from September 19-24 with 640 teenagers, aged 13-18, found that teenage boys are more supportive of possible military action than teenage girls. Support for military action is 78% for teen boys and 61% for teen girls. Support falls substantially if military involvement means that US service people will be killed (50% support from boys and 24% from girls) or if it means that civilians will be killed (43% support from boys and 19% for girls).
"This poll showed that about half (50%) of the nation's teens are fearful that terrorism will strike near them -- twice as many as were worried about terrorism in July," said John Geraci, Vice President of Youth Research at Harris Interactive. "About four in five (79%) of teens feel that those responsible for the attacks will be found and punished, but only 36% feel that the government will be able to prevent things like this from happening again."
The study also found that many of the nation's teenagers are willing to support being physically searched before getting on an airplane (54% support) or having armed soldiers patrolling public places (50% support), but they are not willing to give up basic American rights.
For instance, if it means preventing a tragedy from happening:
* Just 32% would give up the right to own a gun when they are 18
* Just 14% are willing to have their telephone calls monitored by the government
* Just 3% support not being able to express their religious views, and
* Just 3% support not being able to express what they feel about the government
"What US teenagers are saying is that fundamental civil liberties, like freedom of speech and religion, are what we are fighting for, and they are not willing to give them up even if it means living in a safer society," said Geraci.
A detailed report of the findings of this poll is available for download at:
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/downloads/youth-terrorism-poll-deck.pdf
WHICH WOULD YOU SUPPORT?
(% OF TEENS 13-18 SUPPORTING)
All Teens Teen Boys Teen Girls
Military action against any group or nations responsible for the attacks: 69% 78% 61%
Military action even if it means the US will go to war : 51% 62% 39%
Military action even if US service people will be killed: 38% 50% 24%
Military action even if innocent civilians will be killed: 31% 43% 19%
Required one-year military service for all people 18 or older: 10% 14% 5%
Harris Interactive
640 Interviews Conducted September 19-24, 2001
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO IF IT WOULD PREVENT A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN?
(% OF TEENS 13-18 SUPPORTING)
All Teens Teen Boys Teen Girls
Being physically searched before getting on an airplane: 54% 57% 51%
Having armed soldiers patrolling public places: 50% 51% 49%
Not having the right to own a gun when an adult: 32% 24% 40%
Paying higher taxes: 22% 25% 18%
Having telephone calls monitored by the government: 14% 13% 15%
Not being able to express religious views: 3% 3% 3%
Not being able to express what you feel about the governmen: 3% 3% 4%
Harris Interactive
640 Interviews Conducted September 19-24, 2001
Methodology
This Harris Interactive youth survey was conducted online within the United States between September 19-24, 2001 among a nationwide cross section of 640 teenagers. Figures for age, sex, and region were weighted where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
For more information about Harris Interactive, visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com.
SOURCE Harris Interactive
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