A recent Wall Street Journal-NORC poll reveals that traditional American values, such as patriotism, religious faith, and having children, have significantly receded in importance for many Americans. The poll, conducted between March 1 and March 13, 2023, surveyed 1,019 adults, showing that only 38% consider patriotism very important and 39% view religion as very important. This marks a sharp contrast to 1998 when 70% deemed patriotism very important and 62% felt the same about religion.
The decline in these values is further evidenced by a decrease in the perceived importance of having children, dropping from 59% in 1998 to 30% in 2023. Conversely, the importance of money has risen, with 43% of respondents in 2023 considering it very important, up from 31% in 1998. The survey utilized a different methodology in 2023 (online interviewing) compared to previous years (telephone interviews), which might account for some variances in the magnitude of change compared to other polls like Gallup's.
The poll also highlighted deep political divides on social issues. For instance, approximately 50% of respondents held unfavorable views on being asked to use gender-neutral pronouns, and 43% believe American society has gone too far in accommodating transgender individuals. These findings underscore a broader shift in national priorities and a widening cultural chasm among Americans.
