GALLUP: Americans' Rating of Moral Values Hits New Low

Seven in 10 Americans think government policies affect moral values, but fewer want government involved in promoting values

 By Megan Brenan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans’ views on the overall state of moral values in the U.S. have worsened over the past year, with negative assessments of current conditions and the direction that values are headed both rising sharply. A record-high 56% of Americans rate moral values in the U.S. as “poor,” up 12 percentage points from last year, and 80% say moral values are “getting worse,” up 14 points.

The May 1-17 Gallup survey finds that 69% of U.S. adults believe government policies have a significant effect on people’s moral values. Yet, the public is divided over what the government’s role should be, with 50% saying the government should not be involved in promoting moral values and 45% saying it should.

Republicans and Democrats broadly agree that the country's moral values are in poor shape and that government policies have a significant effect on them. However, more Democrats than Republicans say moral values are getting worse. Most Republicans support federal government involvement in promoting moral values, while most Democrats are opposed.

Continue here...