Editorial

New Study Finds Bullying and Cyberbullying are Parent's #1 Fear More Than Kidnapping, Domestic Terrorism and Suicide

Three out of Four Parents are Taking Action to Prevent Bullying or Cyberbullying Among Their Children

Parents Blame Technology for Meaner Kids

Whom do parents fear more, Stranger Danger or a Facebook friend? According to a national survey commissioned by Care.com, Inc. (http://www.care.com), bullying and cyberbullying have eclipsed kidnapping as the greatest fear parents have regarding their children's safety.

Nearly one in three (30%) parents of children 12-17 years old fear bullying and cyberbullying over kidnapping, domestic terrorism, car accidents, suicide or any other incident. And of parents whose children are under 12 years old, more than one in four (27%) parents say they are most afraid of bullying and cyberbullying, with kidnapping only slightly higher (30%).

Care.com, Inc., the premier source of trustworthy family care options, including profiles of hundreds of thousands of babysitters, nannies, and senior caregivers, found that parents are taking the issue seriously. In response to recent news coverage of teens being bullied or cyberbullied across the country, 75% of parents are now monitoring text messages and social media activity. They report also now speaking with their children about the dangers of bullying.

Is Technology to blame? Parents clearly feel that it is. Almost two out of three (62%) parents agree that increased use of texting, social media activity and the playing of more violent video games are resulting in meaner behavior among kids. This concern increases in the South (71%) and Northeast (67%), but decreases to half (50%) of parents in the Midwest.

Parents want their children's schools to take action. More than one in three parents surveyed, report encouraging their schools to create anti-bullying programs and have teachers address bullying as well. Nearly half (46%) feel that the schools are listening, giving their children's schools a grade of A or B. However, one out of five parents (19%) feel that their schools are doing a poor job or simply failing their kids when it comes to this issue.

"Mean kids and bullies are not new, but the access to social media networks and cell phones that can make bullying both anonymous and seemingly innocuous is the new danger. And parents are genuinely afraid," said Wendy Sachs, editor-in-chief of Care.com. "Our study found that parents are also stepping up and want their schools and communities involved."

The failure increases in the West where more than one out of four parents (29%) give their children's schools a poor or failing grade. By comparison, more than half (57%) of parents in the Northeast believe their schools are doing a good job at handling bullying. Other findings include:

Fathers fear bullying and cyberbullying the most, of which a quarter of men (25%) cite it as the number one fear compared with a third (35%) of mothers who perceive kidnapping to be the greatest danger.

In New York, one in three parents (31%) cite bullying and cyberbullying as a greater fear than domestic terrorism (19%) despite the WTC attacks less than ten years ago.

The Midwest is the most concerned about bullying and cyberbullying, where a third of parents (33%) felt it was the most significant fear for them.

Western states parents remain most concerned about kidnapping with 43% versus bullying and cyberbullying (20%). However, when asked to evaluate what their child's school has done to educate kids about the dangers of bullying and cyberbullying, one out of four (24%) gave a poor or failing grade (D or F).

In the South, kidnapping and bullying and cyberbullying are of equal concern to parents with a quarter of parents (24%) acknowledging that they are fearful of them.

The Care.com survey was conducted via a national telephone survey among a weighted sample of 394 adults 18 years of age and older living in private households in the continental United States. Interviewing for this CARAVAN Survey was completed during the period October 8-11, 2010.

Teen perception of bonding and control with mothers and fathers

Canadian teenagers enjoy more freedom than French and Italian peers, according to a new study published in the Journal of Adolescence. The investigation, which examined how parents fashion emotional bonds and exert behavioural control with adolescents, was led by scientists from the University of Montreal, the Université de Rennes in France and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy.

Canada, France and Italy were compared because the countries have commonalities: Latin languages, Catholic history and advanced industrialization. Questionnaires were answered by adolescents whose parents were born in their country of residence: 522 Canadians from Montreal (54.8 percent girls; 45.2 percent boys); 336 French from Rennes (65.8 percent girls; 34.2 percent boys); 398 Italians from Milan (47.2 percent girls; 52.8 percent boys). Teens were asked to describe parents according to emotional bonding, communication, frequency of conflict, rules, discipline and tolerance of friend-related activities.

“Parents are perceived as emotionally bonded by teens from all three countries, yet perception of parental control contrasted between Italy and Canada. Of all three countries, Italian mothers and fathers are perceived as using the most constraining practices,” says first author Michel Claes, a University of Montreal psychology professor. “Italian parents are seen as more demanding in rules and authorizations. They take more punitive actions when rules are broken and are less tolerant of peer socialization. They uphold family regulations and require their adolescents to ask for authorizations until a much later age.”

“Our study found Canadian parents to be the most tolerant. They, had less rules and less disciplinary actions,” says Dr. Claes. “Canadian mothers and fathers were seen as less punitive, less coercive and more tolerant than French and Italian mothers.”

The French were found to parent in a moderate style. French fathers, however, were perceived by teens as emotionally distant, rigid and prone to intergenerational conflict. French mothers, for their part, were reported to foster closer bonds as their children grew into adolescence.

In all three countries, teens experienced a gradual decrease in behavioural control between the ages of 11 and 19: fathers and mothers reduced requirements and disciplinary constraints. “Our study found parental control is dictated by social codes and culture-specific values, which promote certain parental practices and proscribe others,” says Dr. Claes, noting that Canadian parents value a democratic conception of education that promotes independence and negotiation, while Europeans parents, especially Italians, advocate for obligations and respect for parental authority.

Partners in research:

This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

About the study:

The paper, “Adolescents’ perceptions of parental practices: A cross-national comparison of Canada, France, and Italy,” published in the Journal of Adolescence, was authored by Michel Claes, Amélie Benoit and Éric Lacourse of the University of Montreal, (Canada); Cyrille Perchec and Françoise Bariaud of the Université de Rennes, (France); Dave Miranda of the University of Ottawa, (Canada); Margherita Lanz and Elena Marta of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, (Italy).

On the Web :

Cited article from Journal of Adolescence: http://bit.ly/9pdH96
Université de Montréal: www.umontreal.ca/english
Université de Rennes: www.univ-rennes1.fr
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore: www.unicatt.it

Study Examines Shifting Workplace, Generational Attitudes in Transitioning Economy

The more things change, the more different generations of workers become the same, suggests. The research shows that workers of all ages have a new appreciation for company stability when making career decisions. Yet, for many, getting to firmer ground may entail a career change: Four out of 10 professionals polled said they are more inclined to look for new opportunities outside their firms as a result of the recession. Other findings include:

-- Pay is not keeping up with performance. More than one-third (37
percent) of employees felt they are not being fairly compensated for
assuming a greater workload during the recession.

-- Work is more engaging. About one in four (28 percent) said they are
more engaged in their work as a result of the recession.

-- Generational views on next career steps differ. For Gen Y, looking for
a new job is the most common post-recession career plan, whereas Gen
Xers polled said they are more inclined to update their skills. For
baby boomers surveyed, staying put at their companies was the most
commonly cited post-recession career plan.

-- Cross-generational teams bring challenges, rewards. Nearly
three-quarters (72 percent) of hiring managers said managing
multigenerational work teams poses a challenge. But more than
one-third of workers polled felt having a group of employees at
different experience levels increases productivity.

-- Retirement plans are being put on hold. Nearly half (46 percent) of
workers believe they will work past the traditional retirement age,
and more than one-third said the recent recession has had a very
strong impact on those plans.

The study was developed by Robert Half, the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, and conducted by an independent research firm. More than 1,400 professionals in North America who are employed full-time and have college degrees, or are earning college degrees, were surveyed for the project, including 502 hiring managers. Respondents included members of the baby boomer generation (approximately 46 to 64 years old), Generation X (approximately 32 to 45 years old) and Generation Y (approximately 21 to 31 years old*).

*Does not include all of Generation Y, only the segment old enough to have entered the workforce who have college degrees or are currently attending college.

Generational Similarities

Following are five similarities among the generations revealed in the research:

1. For all generations surveyed, working for a stable company and having
job security were two of the most important aspects of the work
environment, beating out having a short commute or working for a
socially responsible company.

2. When evaluating employment offers, salary, company stability and
benefits were the most important factors for all three generations,
according to those polled.

3. Healthcare coverage, dental coverage, vacation time and 401(k) matching
were the highest valued benefits for all generations surveyed.

4. Among professionals who plan to work past the traditional retirement
age, strong majorities in all generations cited the past recession as
an important factor in their decision.

5. The most commonly cited benefit of being part of multigenerational work
teams was bringing together various experience levels to provide
knowledge in specific areas.

Generational Differences

Following are five differences among the generations revealed in the research:

1. When it comes to post-recession career plans, more Gen Yers (36
percent) than Gen Xers (30 percent) and baby boomers (24 percent)
planned to look for new job opportunities.

2. Gen Xers polled were more inclined to enhance their skills sets (38
percent) and build tenure with their companies (33 percent) in the
aftermath of the recession than other generations.

3. A greater percentage of baby boomers (54 percent) than Gen X (46
percent) or Gen Y (39 percent) respondents said they will work past
the traditional retirement age.

4. More Gen Xers (34 percent) than baby boomers (27 percent) said they had
increased their retirement savings since the recession began.

5. More baby boomers (54 percent) than Gen X (45 percent) or Gen Y (35
percent) employees identified the greatest challenge when working with
multiple generations as having differing work ethics and approaches to
work/life balance; more Gen Yers attributed difficulties to differing
communication styles (29 percent for Gen Y versus 16 percent for both
Gen X respondents and baby boomers).

Source: Robert Half International

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with more than 360 worldwide staffing locations. The company's specialized staffing divisions include Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting, and Robert Half® Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and senior-level project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam®, for highly skilled temporary administrative support; Robert Half® Technology, for technology professionals; Robert Half® Legal, for project and full-time staffing of attorneys, paralegals and legal support personnel; and The Creative Group®, for creative, advertising, marketing and web design professionals. Find more information at www.roberthalf.com or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/roberthalf.

Neither Americans nor Mexicans favor U.S. military intervention

Americans and Mexicans have strikingly similar attitudes about the drug war in Mexico, according to a study conducted by Harris Interactive and its global network partner, Indemerc, in early May 2010. Findings from the study will be presented on Wednesday, May 19th at ITESO in Guadalajara, Mexico on the occasion of its International Seminar "Political Communications, Media and Good Governance: A New Era."

Thirty-nine percent of both American and Mexican adults believe Mexico is a failed state, which is a striking characterization of the Mexican government; notably, its policies and the potential solutions it offers to the Mexican drug war.

Both American and Mexican adults agree that the Mexican drug cartels and drug lords bear responsibility for the current drug war. Ninety percent of Americans say the drug lords are very or somewhat responsible for the current drug war and 87% of Mexicans say the same. However, American drug consumption is cited widely as a cause, as well: 88% of Americans and 75% of Mexicans say it is very or somewhat responsible for the drug war.

Mexicans also place a significant amount of blame for the Mexican drug war on American gun dealers. Eighty-one percent of Mexican adults say American gun dealers are very or somewhat responsible for the problem, compared to 54% of Americans who say the same. Mexican adults also blame corrupt U.S. authorities for the problem more than Americans do with 85% of Mexicans saying the corrupt U.S. authorities are to blame, compared to 60% of Americans. However, majorities of both Americans and Mexicans feel that corrupt Mexican authorities are responsible for the drug war - 84% percent of Americans and 88% of Mexicans say this.

"The enormous coincidences in opinion between Mexicans and Americans are surprising with respect to the war on drugs," commented Dr. Carlos Moreno Jaimes, Chief of the Social, Political, and Judicial Studies Department for ITESO. Dr. Moreno continued, "Citizens from both countries think that drug lords are the main cause of the war and also accept that both societies have contributed to the problem: Americans for their high consumption of narcotics and Mexicans for the corruption of authorities. The most important implication of the poll is that the solution to the problem should come from a joint effort of the two countries, but not a military intervention. It is also clear that the Mexican government's strategy is not perceived as an effective one."

Other Survey Findings:

Americans have a high awareness of the war on drugs and recent events in Mexico.

Seventy-eight percent of U.S. adults say they know a lot or some about the war on drugs in Mexico. This level of awareness is strong across all regions of the United States, including the states that border Mexico.

Few Americans feel that they or their family will be personally harmed by Mexico's drug war. In contrast, Mexicans feel far more vulnerable.

-- Forty-one percent of Mexicans say they believe it is very or somewhat
likely they or their immediate family will be harmed due to the war on
drugs in Mexico, compared to 16% of Americans who say the same.
-- However, among those who live in U.S. Border States, the risk to self
and family is perceived as significantly higher. Nationally, 50% of
Americans believe they and their family are at no risk of being harmed
due to the Mexican drug war; in American states that border Mexico
that number drops to 39% who feel they are not at all likely to be
harmed by the Mexican drug war.

Justin Greeves, Senior Vice President of Harris Interactive's Public Affairs & Policy Group and the lead U.S. researcher noted, "Despite high U.S. awareness of the drug war, the lack of personal relevance for Americans may be a substantial barrier to policy changes. It's likely that changes will continue to unfold more quickly in the U.S. border states given their proximity and stronger attitudes toward the drug war."

The majority (on both sides of the border) oppose United States' military intervention.

Majorities of Mexicans and Americans disagree with the idea of sending the U.S. Army to Mexico to collaborate with the Mexican army to control the drug war, with 57% of Americans opposing and 64% of Mexicans opposing. In comparison, the provision of U.S. government money is seen as a much more palatable solution to help end the Mexican drug war. Forty-two percent of both Americans and Mexicans support sending U.S. government funds to aid Mexican law enforcement in training and combating the Mexican drug lords and narcos (the drug gangs). The majority of respondents oppose this kind of intervention, but the issue is polarizing for Americans along political lines. Democrats support this kind of financial help (54% support), Republicans oppose (63% oppose) and Independent's oppose (61% oppose).

Who is winning and what does the future hold?

Vast majorities of Mexicans and Americans agree that the drug dealers are winning the war on drugs in Mexico. Seventy-five percent of Mexican respondents say the narcos are winning and 80% of American respondents say the drug dealers are winning. This perceived failure in battling the war on drugs may feed the attitude that Mexico's government is failing.

Mexicans see no end in sight to this war. One-in-five (20%) think it is likely that President Calderon will have ended the drug war by the end of his tenure in December of 2012, while nearly one-half (48%) say it is not at all likely and an additional one-third (33%) of Mexicans say it is somewhat unlikely. These findings coincide with President Felipe Calderon's state visit to the U.S. this week.

Vicente Licona Cortes, Managing Director, Indemerc, and the lead researcher in Mexico commented, "It's rare to see such strength of opinion on both who is winning the war and who shares responsibility for it. Overall, these results demonstrate that, from a Mexican point of view, the entire political and law enforcement structure needs to adopt new strategies to win this war."

TABLE 1
AWARE OF THE MEXICAN DRUG WAR
"How much have you heard, read or seen about the recent war on drugs
in Mexico?"
BASE: U.S. ADULTS 18+

USA
---
78% AWARE (NET)
--- -----------
40% A lot
--- -----
38% Some
--- ----
22% NOT AWARE (NET)
--- ---------------
10% Hardly anything
--- ---------------
12% Haven't heard about it/unaware
--- ------------------------------
* Don't know
--- ----------

BASE: U.S. ADULTS 18+

Northeast Midwest South West Border States
--------- ------- ----- ---- -------------
76% 81% 77% 79% 79% AWARE (NET)
--- --- --- --- --- -----------
34% 41% 35% 53% 51% A lot
--- --- --- --- --- -----
42% 40% 41% 26% 28% Some
--- --- --- --- --- ----
24% 19% 23% 21% 21% NOT AWARE (NET)
--- --- --- --- --- ---------------
11% 8% 6% 16% 14% Hardly anything
--- --- --- --- --- ---------------
Haven't heard about
13% 11% 17% 5% 7% it/unaware
--- --- --- --- --- ----------
* * * -- * Don't know
--- --- --- --- --- ----------

Note: percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

TABLE 2
WINNING THE DRUG WAR
"Based on what you have heard, read or seen about the war on drugs in
Mexico, who do you think is winning the war on drugs: The Mexican
government or the drug dealers?"
BASE: U.S. ADULTS WHO HAVE HEARD ABOUT WAR ON DRUGS
BASE: MEXICAN ADULTS 18+

USA MEXICO
80% 75% Drug dealers/"Narcos"
6% 23% Mexican government
14% 1% Don't know

TABLE 3
RESPONSIBILITY FOR MEXICAN DRUG WAR
"Thinking about the possible causes for the war on drugs in Mexico,
for each of the following statements, please tell me if you think
that the possible cause is Very responsible, Somewhat responsible,
Not very responsible or Not at all responsible."
Percentage of those who say "Very/Somewhat Responsible"
BASE: U.S. ADULTS WHO HAVE HEARD ABOUT WAR ON DRUGS
BASE: MEXICAN ADULTS 18+

USA MEXICO
90% 87% Mexican drug cartels or drug lords
88% 75% American drug consumption
84% 88% Corruption of Mexican authorities
77% 63% Mexican poverty
67% 81% Mexican drug consumers
60% 85% Corruption of American authorities
55% 80% Mexican President Calderon
54% 81% American gun dealers
N/A 76% Mexican State Governors

TABLE 4
U.S. MILITARY AID IN MEXICAN DRUG WAR
"Would you support dispatching the U.S. military to Mexico to help
the Mexican government's efforts in the drug war? /Would you agree
or disagree if the U.S. army were to come to Mexico to collaborate
with the Mexican army to aid the Mexican government's efforts in the
drug war?"
BASE: U.S. ADULTS WHO HAVE HEARD ABOUT WAR ON DRUGS
BASE: MEXICAN ADULTS 18+

USA MEXICO
39% 36% Yes/Agree
57% 64% No/Disagree
4% - Don't know

TABLE 5
U.S. FINANCIAL AID IN MEXICAN DRUG WAR
"Since 2008 the United States government has provided hundreds of
millions of dollars of equipment and training to Mexican law
enforcement to combat drug traffickers, are you in favor of
continuing to use money from the United States Government to train
Mexican Police or do you oppose using money from the United States
government for Mexican law enforcement to combat drug traffickers?/
During the last two years, the U.S. government has given the Mexican
government hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment and training
so that the Mexican army may combat the narcos. How strongly do you
agree or disagree with the U.S. giving money to the Mexican
government to combat the narcos? Do you Strongly agree, Somewhat
agree, Somewhat disagree, or Strongly disagree?"
BASE: U.S. ALL RESPONDENTS
BASE: MEXICO ALL RESPONDENTS

USA MEXICO
42% 42% FAVOR/AGREE (NET)
17% 21% Strongly favor/agree
25% 21% Somewhat favor/agree
54% 55% OPPOSE/DISAGREE (NET)
19% 19% Somewhat oppose/disagree
36% 36% Strongly oppose/disagree
4% 3% Don't know

REP. DEM. IND.
33% 54% 38% FAVOR/AGREE (NET)
14% 20% 17% Strongly favor/agree
20% 34% 21% Somewhat favor/agree
63% 41% 61% OPPOSE/DISAGREE (NET)
21% 19% 18% Somewhat oppose/disagree
43% 23% 43% Strongly oppose/disagree
4% 5% 1% Don't know

TABLE 6
PERSONAL HARM FROM DRUG WAR
"On a scale of one to five, with one being not at all likely
and five being very likely....How likely do you think it is that
you personally or someone from your immediate family may be
harmed in any way due to the war on drugs in Mexico?"
BASE: U.S. ADULTS WHO HAVE HEARD ABOUT WAR ON DRUGS
BASE: MEXICAN ADULTS 18+
------------------------
USA MEXICO
--- ------
16% 41% TOP 2 BOX
--- -- ---------
9% 5% 5-Very likely
--- -- -------------
6% 36% 4
--- -- ---
16% N/A 3
--- -- ---
66% 59% BOTTOM 2 BOX
--- -- ------------
16% 26% 2
--- -- ---
50% 33% 1-Not at all likely
--- -- -------------------
2% - Don't know
--- -- ----------

Northeast Midwest South West Border States
--------- ------- ----- ---- -------------
14% 13% 18% 16% 17% TOP 2 BOX
--- --- --- --- --- ---------
7% 6% 13% 9% 10% 5-Very likely
--- --- --- --- --- -------------
6% 7% 5% 7% 7% 4
--- --- --- --- --- ---
14% 14% 16% 20% 20% 3
--- --- --- --- --- ---
71% 71% 64% 61% 60% BOTTOM 2 BOX
--- --- --- --- --- ------------
15% 13% 16% 21% 21% 2
--- --- --- --- --- ---
1-Not at all
56% 58% 48% 40% 39% likely
--- --- --- --- --- -------------
1% 2% 3% 2% 2% Don't know
--- --- --- --- --- ----------

TABLE 7
MEXICO AS A FAILED STATE
"Recently, some people have characterized Mexico as a "Failed State."
Do you agree or disagree that Mexico is a "failed state?"
BASE: U.S. ADULTS 18+
BASE: MEXICAN ADULTS 18+

USA MEXICO
39% 39% AGREE (NET)
19% 14% Strongly agree
20% 25% Somewhat agree
50% 61% DISAGREE (NET)
34% 23% Somewhat disagree
16% 38% Strongly disagree
11% - Don't know

TABLE 8
END OF MEXICAN DRUG WAR
"Thinking about the future, do you think that President Calderon will
have ended the drug war by the end of his tenure in December of 2012
or not? Do you think it is Not at all likely, Somewhat unlikely,
Somewhat likely or Very likely?"
BASE: MEXICAN ADULTS 18+

MEXICO
48% Not at all likely
33% Somewhat unlikely
19% Somewhat likely
1% Very likely

United States Methodology

This survey was conducted by telephone within the United States by Harris Interactive between May 5 and May 9, 2010 among 1,009 adults ages 18 and older. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region, number of adults in the household, number of phone lines in the household were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

Mexico Methodology

This survey was conducted by telephone in the 8 largest metropolitan areas in Mexico between May 7 and 9, 2010 among 549 adults 18+. The sample frame for this study is based exclusively on listed numbers using the Random Digital Dialing methodology and asking for the youngest male or female member in the household depending on the required quotas. The data has been weighted by gender, age groups, and socioeconomic levels for the 8 metropolitan areas based on official Census data and AMAI (Mexican Market and Opinion Research Agency Association) data for socioeconomic levels. IMPORTANT NOTE: The results of this poll are only representative of the population in these 8 Mexican metropolitan areas with telephone access in their homes and the results should be interpreted accordingly.

Percentages may not always add up to 100% because of computer rounding or the acceptance of multiple answers from respondents answering that question.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

About Indemerc

Indemerc is a leading Market and Opinion Research firm based in Mexico City.

Based on more than 35 years worth of experience, Indemerc provides research solutions to Mexican and International clients with innovative technologies, proven expertise and the highest quality standards. Indemerc is a member of ESOMAR and has been Harris Interactive's Global Network Partner in Mexico since 1995. Indemerc's Public Opinion studies are frequently quoted by foreign and national journalists and its CEO, Mr. Vicente Licona, is a frequent guest on many Public Opinion and Market Research forums and media outlets.

About the Harris Interactive Global Partner Network

Indemerc is a member of Harris Interactive's Global Partner Network. The Global Partner Network is comprised of locally based, independently owned and operated market and opinion research firms in North, Central, and South America; Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. The Global Partner Network supports the Harris Interactive global view of research, recognizing and promoting the cultural and methodological differences that exist across worldwide markets. This enables Harris Interactive and its partners to conduct strategic research in multiple localized languages around the world, offering solutions to corporations, government, education, healthcare and non-profit organizations.

About ITESO

ITESO is the Jesuit University of Guadalajara, in Mexico. Founded in 1957, it belongs to the network of over 200 Jesuit universities around the world. It shares with them a 450-year-old educational tradition, historically located at the focal point of world thought and recognized for preparing leaders in all fields of the arts and sciences.

Kids 'Kick Butts' on March 24

Leaders Urged to Increase Cigarette Tax by $1

Kids across the USA will take center stage in the fight against tobacco on March 24 as they join thousands of young people nationwide for the 15th annual Kick Butts Day. More than 1,000 events are planned in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (for a list of local events see below).

Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Kick Butts Day is an annual celebration of youth leadership and activism in the fight against tobacco use. Kids are sending two powerful messages on Kick Butts Day: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them with marketing for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and they want elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco.

In Ohio, health advocates are calling on state leaders to increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack in order to prevent kids from smoking and raise much-needed revenue to address the state's budget shortfall and fund critical programs such as health care and education. According to a recent report by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a $1 cigarette tax increase in Ohio would have the following benefits:

-- Prevent 109,000 kids from becoming smokers;
-- Spur 52,600 current adult smokers to quit;
-- Save 48,800 residents from premature, smoking-caused deaths; and
-- Save $2.4 billion in health care costs.

"On Kick Butts Day, kids are standing up to the tobacco companies, and Ohio leaders should stand with them by increasing the cigarette tax," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "A higher cigarette tax is truly a win-win-win in the USA: a health win that will prevent kids from smoking and save lives; a budget win that will help protect vital programs like health care and education; and a political win that is popular with the voters."

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing $96 billion in health care bills each year. While the nation has made significant progress in reducing youth smoking, 20 percent of high school students still smoke.

visit www.kickbuttsday.org/events. Additional information about tobacco, including state-by-state statistics, can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org.