Moral Issues

In Depth: Topics A to Z

Moral Issues

In Depth: Topics A to Z

Moral Issues

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Next, I’m going to read some aspects of life in America today. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. How about -- the moral and ethical climate?

	Very satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Very dissatisfied	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2024	5	18	27	48	2
2023	4	16	32	48	*
2022	4	16	28	50	1
2021	3	15	28	53	1
2020	6	26	29	39	*
2019	6	20	33	39	2
2018	5	23	32	39	1
2017	6	25	30	39	1
2016	4	27	30	37	2
2015	7	25	29	36	3
2014	5	30	30	32	3
2013	6	29	27	36	2
2012	5	23	32	36	3
2011	5	25	32	37	2
2008	6	33	32	27	2
2007	6	29	33	30	2
2006	5	28	34	32	2
2005	7	33	29	30	1
2004	5	30	36	28	1
2003	6	32	32	29	1
2002	9	38	28	24	1
2001	5	31	32	30	2
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

In your view, what is the most important problem with the state of moral values in the country today? [OPEN-ENDED]

	2022 May 2-22	2012 May 3-6
	%	%
Consideration of others/Compassion/Caring/Tolerance/Respect	18	18
Racism/Discrimination	8	2
Lack of faith/Religion	7	10
Lack of morals	7	7
Sense of Entitlement/Government dependency	6	5
Lack of family structure/Divorce/Kids' upbringing	5	10
Abortion/Don't value life	4	3
TV/Media/Internet	3	4
Lack of Education	3	2
Crime/Violence	3	2
Dishonesty/Integrity/Deception	3	4
Personal accountability/Responsibility	3	3
Greed/Selfishness	3	5
Pro-choice on abortion/Women's rights	2	1
Sexuality/Teen pregnancy/Promiscuity	2	4
Poor leadership/Poor guidance	2	4
Lack of money/High cost of living/Poverty	2	2
Lack of unity/division	1	--
Personal rights/Civil liberties/Erosion of freedom	1	--
Government overreach	1	--
Economy	1	1
Breakdown of law and order	1	--
Same-sex relations/Gay marriage	1	3
Interjection of religious beliefs/Forcing beliefs on others	1	--
Lack of patriotism	1	--
Lack of communication/discussion	1	--
Jobs	*	1
Healthcare	*	*
Drugs/Alcohol	*	1
Other	5	5
None/Nothing	4	6
Everything	--	1
No opinion	8	11
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses
Gallup

Based on what you know or have read about the matter (whether religious-based employers should cover contraception for their employees as part of their health plans), do you sympathize more with the views of -- [ROTATED: religious leaders (or) the Obama administration]?

	Religious leaders	Obama administration	Both equally (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2012 Feb 16-19	48	45	1	7
Gallup

In what ways do you see moral values in the country getting better? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on those who say moral values are getting better

	2010 May 3-6
	%
Better understanding about other people and cultures/More diversity/Less racism	25
Americans are pulling together in tough times	25
People are more honest, responsible	9
Young people more involved, have better values	6
More religion/People turning to God	5
Economy is improving	5
Obama/Democrats improving the situation	4
Greater focus, priority on family	2
Parents more involved/Getting better at raising children	2
Other	5
Nothing in particular	11
No opinion	7
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses
Gallup

In what ways do you see moral values in the country getting worse? [OPEN-ENDED]

Based on those who say moral values are getting worse

	2010 May 3-6
	%
Declining moral values, standards	15
Disrespect of others	15
Parents not instilling values in children/Not spending time with	8
Dishonesty among government, business leaders	8
Rising crime/violence	8
Moving away from religion/church/God	7
Breakdown of family/Unwed mothers	7
People not accountable/responsible for behavior	7
People don't care	6
TV content -- cursing, sex, etc.	5
Sex/Promiscuity/Pornography	5
Government policies	4
Everyone is out for themselves	4
Abortion	3
The media	3
Greed	3
Gay/Lesbian relations	3
Lack of jobs	2
Teen pregnancy	2
Drugs	2
Illegal immigration	1
Computers/The Internet	1
Way teens/youth dress	1
Other	3
Nothing in particular (vol.)	2
No opinion	3
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses
Gallup