A Few Surprises in Results of Survey on War in Iraq

 

As of this writing, more than 115 surveys have been received at Peace Connections, although because of newsletter deadlines we chose to begin tabulation and analysis when we had 108 surveys.  Twenty of those surveys were sent in by newsletter readers—thank you!

Here's a look at the people who responded:

-                     Age: 6-12—8%, 13-21—14%, 22-44—26%, 45-65—15%, over 65—37%

-                     Sex:  Females—54%, males—46%

-                     Religious affiliation: Baptist—13%, Catholic—7%, Lutheran—4%, Mennonite—53%, Methodist—11%, None—2%, Other—5%, Presbyterian—5%

 

Complete data are available at Peace Connections.  For this article, we chose to highlight data that showed a strong majority and data that showed a subgroup differing substantially from the norm.

 

Question 1a.  In response to the U.S. attack on Iraq, I have felt:

Overall, the most-mentioned emotion was Sad (23%), followed by Angry (15%), Confused (15%), Fearful (14%), and Relieved (11%).  Guilty, Proud, Justified, Grateful, Glad, and Other were all less than 8% each.  Children ages 6-12 marked only Sad, Angry, Confused, and Fearful (25% each). Adults ages 22-44 marked Justified (21%) and Proud (19%) as their top choices. 

 

Although it is dangerous to draw conclusions from small amounts of data, I offer the following points for your consideration.  For Mennonites, the strongest feelings were Sad (27%) and Angry (20%).  Baptists reported feeling Proud most (22%).  Methodists most felt Sad (29%) and Fearful (19%).  Presbyterians most reported feeling Confused (30%), which may be interpreted as Conflicted.

 

Question 1b.  In response to the U.S. attack on Iraq, I have had problems with:

Unusually, 32% of respondents chose to skip this question, so data is perhaps even more likely to be skewed.  Of those who answered, 70% overall said they had no problems.  Children ages 6-12 reported Nervousness (45%) and adults over 65 reported Sleep problems (29%).

 

Thirty-seven percent of Mennonites reported having no problems with the attack, compared with 100% of Methodists and Catholics, 92% of Baptists and 75% of Presbyterians.

 

Question 2. In my opinion, this war is about:

Overall, answers were fairly evenly divided between Killing Saddam Hussein (19%), Oil (17%), Ridding the world of terrorism (16%), Freedom (12%), Revenge (12%), and Protecting the poor (10%).  Justice, Religion, Culture and Other were all less than 8% each.  Sixty percent of children 6-12 thought the war was about Killing Saddam Hussein.  Thirty-one percent of adults over 65 thought the war was about Oil.  Forty-six percent of adults age 22-44 thought the war was about Ridding the world of terrorism and Freedom.

 

Question 3. I talk about the war with:

Overall, answers were fairly evenly balanced between family and friends.  Ten percent of people would talk about the war with acquaintances, but only 4% would talk about it with strangers.

 

Question 4.  I know someone who is currently in the Middle East.  (Yes/no)

Most people (61%) did not know someone in the Middle East.  But people ages 13-21 (57%) and 22-44 (59%) were more likely to know someone in the Middle East, than not.

 

Question 5. I think this war is necessary.  (1=strongly agree/6=strongly disagree)

The most popular answer was 6, Strongly Disagree, at 38%.  Most people (64%) chose 4, 5, or 6 to express that they thought the war was not necessary.  Of those that felt the war was necessary, most chose 1, Strongly Agree (27%).  This question really shows the polarization of opinion about the war.

 

Question 6. I understand the history of the U.S. involvement in Iraq. (1=strongly agree/6=strongly disagree)

A small majority of respondents claim some understanding (54.3%, combining answers 1,2,3) of the history.

 

Question 7. I think the U.S. news media have given an accurate, complete picture of the war. (1=strongly agree/6=strongly disagree)

Most respondents disagree (66% combining answers 4,5,6) that the media have given an accurate picture.  However, 57% of children 6-12 answered 2, indicating trust in the media.  Adults over 65 indicated the least trust, at 80% for combined answers of 5 and 6.

 

Question 8. I start conversations about the war. (Frequently/rarely)

Most people, despite the strong emotions they feel about the war, rarely or never start conversations about it (59% marking 4,5,6).  Adults over 65 and children 6-12 were least likely to start conversations about the war.  Adults 22-44 were most likely.  Also, those groups who indicated support for the war were more likely to start conversations about it than those who did not support the war.  (Hmm, does this mean the climate of fear prevents people from speaking their minds?  Or does it mean that those who do not support the war are less willing to engage with those who think differently?)

 

Question 9.  With the war over, I expect to feel more safe and secure (1=strongly agree/6=strongly disagree))

The most popular answer to this question was 6 (strongly disagree), with 26%.  Overall, 61% of people chose 4,5,or 6, indicating they did not expect to feel more safe.  The exception to this feeling was children ages 6-12, 100% of whom marked 1 or 2.

 

Question 10.  From my experience of the war, I expect to make changes in how I live my life. (1=Major changes/6=no changes)

Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported expecting to make few or no changes in their lives (marking 4,5,or 6).  The highest single response was 5, at 28%.