(ConservativeSense.com) – Support for traditional American values such as family and patriotism is in decline, according to a recent poll. A Wall Street Journal/NORC survey found that only 38% of Americans believe patriotism is very important, down from 61% in 2019.
That figure had also collapsed from 70% in 1998. The number that doesn’t see patriotism as at all important is 11%. How the country is seen by its citizens has also dramatically changed. In 2016, 19% said other countries are better than the US, this has now risen to 27%. Only 50% now believe America is one of the world’s greatest countries, while 21% think America is greater than other countries.
The survey also reveals that growing numbers are not confident about America’s future. A large majority – 78% – do not believe their children will live in a better USA than they do.
Similar changes can be seen regarding religion. While 49% say they believe in God, only 39% think religion is important. This is down from 62% in 2019. The political split is 27% for Democrats and 53% for Republicans. Only 13% surveyed say they go to church once a week.
Along with religion and patriotism, the importance of having children has been crumbling for many years. In this latest poll, a tiny 30% think having a family is important. This is down from 43% in 2019 and 59% in 1998. Marriage is declining too, with 63% of young men between the age of 18 and 29 remaining single. According to a separate survey, the marriage rate generally has dropped by 60% in America over the last 50 years.
One thing that has risen in value among Americans is money. This is now considered very important by 43%, which is up from 41% in 2019 and 31% in 1998.
Bill McInturff, who has worked on similar polls, said “these differences are so dramatic, it paints a new and surprising portrait of a changing America.”
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