Washington - Most Americans think medicine, science and teaching are the prestigious professions, but few have a high opinion of accountants, bankers, journalists or labour union leaders, according to a new poll.
Lawyers have lost much prestige, the Harris poll showed, with the percentage of people praising them falling from 36 per cent in 1977 to 21 per cent in 2000. Teachers have risen to 53 from 29 per cent.