Concerns Over Declining Moral Values Intensify Among Americans

The results of a recent annual Gallup poll revealed that a record number of adults are deeply troubled by the deteriorating moral values in our nation. The survey, released on Friday, paints a concerning picture, as 54% of respondents described the country’s moral values as “poor,” marking a four-percentage-point increase from the previous year. 

Gallup poll: Moral values in America are collapsing #America https://t.co/G6JU5ClpGk

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This surpasses the previous high of 49% recorded in 2018 since Gallup began conducting the survey in 2002, reflecting the concern of many as regards where the nation’s morals and values have gone.

An additional 33% of those surveyed described the moral values as “only fair,” with only 10% considering them “good,” and a mere 1% describing them as “excellent.”

The outcome of the poll, conducted through a randomized national telephone survey involving 1,011 adults between May 1st and May 24th, indicates a significant shift in public opinion regarding the state of moral values in the United States. It is the first time, in the 22 years Gallup has been polling this question, that a majority of people have voted for the overall state of moral values as poor.

The pollster further highlighted the increasing dissatisfaction with moral values among different political affiliations. The percentage of Republicans and Democrats describing the nation’s moral values as “poor” increased by two points for both political groups, reaching 74% and 38% of respondents, respectively. 

Notably, the share of independents expressing the same sentiment surged by seven points from last year to an all-time high of 51%. Gallup underlined the significance of this growing negativity, attributing it largely to the worsening views among independents. 

The survey also indicated that 83% of respondents believe that moral values in the U.S. are “getting worse,” reflecting a five-point increase from the previous year and a significant 16-point rise from 2021. The highest percentage recorded in the past was 82% in 2007, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

In contrast, only 12% of respondents believed that moral values were improving.

Pointing out several factors that contribute to this widespread concern, Gallup noted that the United States has been grappling with increased incidents of gun violence and a decline in religiosity amid lawmakers who keep trying to enact laws pertaining to abortion, transgender healthcare and sports participation.

Interestingly, last year’s survey revealed that the most cited moral problem was a lack of consideration in people’s treatment of each other. 

However, when divided along partisan lines, Republicans were just as likely to identify a loss of religious faith as their primary moral concern. Democrats and independents, on the other hand, were at least twice as likely as Republicans to mention racism as a top moral problem.