Shifts in American Moral Perspectives

Americans are showing less acceptance of several issues that have long sparked debate, with a notable decrease in approval observed over the past year. The Gallup poll conducted from May 1 to May 17, 2023, highlights this trend.

Significant Declines in Moral Acceptance

Among the 20 behaviors surveyed, five showed significant drops in moral approval. Approval for using birth control declined to a record low, although it remains widely accepted at 83%. Gambling saw a decline from 63% to 57% approval, marking a historic low. Animal cloning’s approval fell from 34% to 27%.

Notably, approval for having a baby outside of marriage decreased to 58%, matching the level seen in 2014 and down 9 points from last year. Approval for sex between teenagers dropped from 41% to 35%.

Continued Acceptance of Other Behaviors

Despite declines in certain areas, many behaviors continue to receive broad acceptance. Birth control (83%) and divorce (74%) are still viewed as morally acceptable by large majorities. Sex between unmarried adults (65%) and gay or lesbian relationships (62%) also have solid support.

Other actions considered acceptable include medical research using embryonic stem cells (59%), buying clothing made of animal fur (57%), and gambling (57%). The death penalty is viewed as acceptable by 52% of Americans, with executions in the U.S. rising from 25 to 47 in 2024.

Divisive Issues

Opinions are more split on some topics. About 49% of Americans find abortion morally acceptable, while 41% do not. Doctor-assisted suicide is similarly divided (49% acceptable, 45% wrong), as is medical testing on animals (45% acceptable, 48% wrong). Changing one’s gender is acceptable to 38% of respondents.

Few support behaviors like extramarital affairs (7% acceptable), human cloning (9%), and polygamy (19%).

Overall Ratings and Partisan Differences

Gallup’s survey illustrates diverse moral judgments across the 20 surveyed behaviors. Political affiliation strongly influences views. Democrats are generally more accepting of issues related to identity, sexuality, and medical autonomy. Conversely, Republicans often show more support for punitive measures like the death penalty.

On abortion, 73% of Democrats deem it morally acceptable, compared to 18% of Republicans, displaying a 55-point gap. Similar divides occur on gender change and gay relationships. Democrats also show greater acceptance of embryonic stem cell research (75%) and doctor-assisted suicide (32%) than Republicans (48% and 8%, respectively).

Republicans demonstrate more acceptance than Democrats in some areas. For the death penalty, 76% of Republicans find it acceptable against 33% of Democrats, and they more commonly approve of wearing animal fur and medical testing on animals.

In certain areas, both political groups agree, strongly rejecting extramarital affairs, human cloning, and polygamy, indicating shared moral disapproval.