Viewers Say Student Supporting Gay Marriage Should not be Forced to Stand for Pledge of Allegiance

Majority of viewers would support having the student attend their school --

Flemington, NJ, November 18, 2009 – Results from a new media study among 328 Americans revealed that the majority (66%) reported that a student who supports gay marriage should not be forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance after watching a news clip featuring the story.

The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website on November 17-18, to obtain viewers’ perceptions of a video clip about a 10-year-old student’s refusal to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance until gay marriage was legalized. To view interest curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

While the majority of respondents supported the student after watching the video, prior to viewing the video, the majority of viewers (65%) indicated that students “should be” forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

In addition, after watching the video, the majority of viewers (72%) reported that if they were in school, they would support having this student attend their school.

Among the findings:

Should this student be forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? (After Video)
Total
Yes 34%
No 66%
Do you think students should be forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in school? (Before Video)
Total
Yes 65%
No 35%
If you were in school, would you support having this student attend your school?
Total
Yes 72%
No 28%
Do you think that the Pledge of Allegiance is correct in stating that there is “liberty and justice for all?”
Before Video After Video
Yes 77% 59%
No 23% 41%
While viewing the video, participants indicated their levels of agreement by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

ENDS