Eurobarometer 47.1: Images of Switzerland, Education Throughout Life, Racism, and Patterns of Family Planning and Work Status, March-April 1997 (ICPSR 2089)

Summary View help for Summary

This round of Eurobarometer surveys queried respondents on standard Eurobarometer measures such as public awareness of and attitudes toward the European Union (EU), and also focused on Switzerland's image, racism, education throughout life, and patterns of family planning and work status. Respondents were asked if the Swiss federal system and the Swiss direct democracy system should be considered as models for other countries. Respondents were also asked whether Switzerland was a good example of a multicultural society, whether it was a conservative country in urgent need of reforms, whether it participated enough in efforts aimed at solving economic, social, and political problems, and whether it had a strong tradition of humanitarian aid. Opinions were sought on Swiss banking practices, including the role of the Swiss in business, accountability for foreign investors, and repayment to World War II victims. A series of questions pertaining to minority groups of different races, religions, and cultures was asked. Items included perceptions of the presence or number of minorities in the country, workplace, and neighborhood of the respondent, as well as the impact of such groups on societal values, the economy, job markets, education, Social Security, and sports. Also probed were respondents' views on rights for legal and illegal immigrants (noncitizens), including freedom of speech, housing, education, protection against discrimination, and circumstances for deportation. A few questions covered the "European Year against Racism" (1997) campaign and the role European institutions play or should adopt in the fight against racism. Respondents were also asked to rate their own degree of racism and to name groups they or their country found disturbing. If a group was named, respondents were asked if they could imagine having a close relationship with or working for someone from this group, and if it would be difficult to accept their child marrying into this group and having children with someone from this group. Information was also gathered on education and training throughout life. Respondents indicated reasons for or against lifelong training, the necessity of such training in light of evolving information and communication technologies, the impact of continuing training on their own private and work lives, and preferred types of training courses. Other queries concerned family planning and work situations. Respondents listed the number of children they had and indicated whether they were working part-time, full-time, or not at all. In addition, respondents specified the age at which women should have their first child and their last child, and commented on the ideal work situation while rearing children. Respondents also described preferred arrangements for taking care of elderly parents, including who should be responsible for payment. Demographic and other background information provided includes respondent's age, sex, marital status, and left-right political self-placement as well as household income, the number of people residing in the home, and region of residence.

Citation View help for Citation

Export Citation:

• RIS (generic format for RefWorks, EndNote, etc.)
• EndNote

Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms

Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage