Gallup began surveying U.S. moral values in 2002. The views have slipped to their lowest point in the last seven years. Highlights from respondents include:
- 81% say state of moral values is “only fair” or “poor”
- 77% say the state of moral values is getting worse
- Views have been consistently negative, at least since 2002
Source: Gallup, May 22, 2017.
No majority of any major demographic group views the state of moral values as good or excellent, but opinions differ significantly when looking at those who rate the state of the nation’s values as poor.
- Major differences occur by age. About half (51%) of those aged 65 and older believe moral values are in a poor state; 33% of those aged 34 and younger agree.
- Fifty-four percent of those who live in a rural area, compared with 33% of those living a big city, say moral values are poor.
- Thirty-one percent of those with postgraduate work say the country’s moral values are poor.