NEW YORK — Get ready for an extra hour of sleep this weekend as the U.S. transitions back to standard time, a shift that many view with trepidation. A recent AP-NORC poll has revealed that a mere 12% of U.S. adults support the existing daylight saving time system, which requires biannual clock changes. Approximately 47% are against it, with 40% expressing neutrality.
On Sunday, the clocks will be set back one hour at 2 a.m. local time. While this may offer more daylight in the morning, countless Americans view the transition unfavorably, with many preferring the evening light that extends their social and activity times.
Many individuals, like Pranava Jayanti, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles, feel that the clock changes are disruptive. Having grown up in India where time does not shift, Jayanti recalls feeling unprepared for the early dark evenings upon arriving in the U.S.
While there have been legislative efforts to abolish the semiannual clock changes, they have yet to gain significant traction in Congress. Some health organizations, such as the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, argue for a single time system to avoid disruptions in the circadian rhythm.
The poll indicates a divided preference, with more than half of respondents advocating for the permanence of daylight saving time, allowing for extended evening daylight. Conversely, those who prefer mornings lean towards standard time, exhibiting how personal preferences influence opinions on this timekeeping tradition.
Historically, the U.S. has shifted between time systems since World War I, but the twice-yearly clock changes impact individual routines and health, leading to calls for a more permanent solution.
Dr. Jamie Zeitzer, a co-director at Stanford's Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences, explains that while there is ongoing debate, a singular time would likely benefit overall health compared to the current practice of switching.
The tradition of altering time continues amidst shifting public sentiment, with anecdotal support from those who resonate strongly with maintaining longer evenings during the summer months.
