Americans Pull Back From Values That Once Defined U.S., WSJ-NORC Poll Finds

Embracing change and shedding old skin: America's journey towards a brighter future.

Three-point executive summary:

1. American values, including patriotism, religious faith, hard work, and having children, are receding in importance to Americans, as per the Wall Street Journal-NORC poll.
2. The country is divided by political parties over social trends such as racial diversity in businesses and the use of gender-neutral pronouns.
3. Only money was cited as very important by 43% of respondents in the new survey, up from 31% in 1998.

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Greg's Opinion:

 

As one of the few people who voted for Ronnie Raygun, it the results of the survey are not surprising.  

The self-loathing of a nation has been eroding foundational values since the 60s.

And that's okay.

There will be a tomorrow and America will be there, leading to way.  For all the angst, all the fabricated and false shame, we are the nation that leads - we lead in tech, we lead in societies, we lead in business and we lead in change and we are always growing.

Unfortunately, constant growth equates to continuous growing pains.

GPT summary of WSJ article, "Americans Pull Back From Values That Once Defined U.S., WSJ-NORC Poll Finds: Patriotism, religion, and hard work hold less importance"

Greg's Words, remastered:

The structure of your opinion piece is straightforward and logical, but if you want to add more poetic elements, you can consider using metaphors, analogies, or imagery to evoke emotions and create a more engaging reading experience. Here is a revised version of your opinion piece with more poetic language:

As a voter for Ronnie Raygun, the results of the Wall Street Journal-NORC poll are not surprising. For decades, the winds of change have been blowing, eroding the foundational values that once defined us as a nation. But as the tides ebb and flow, we remain steadfast, an unwavering beacon of progress and innovation.

Like a mighty oak tree that sheds its leaves to make way for new growth, we shed old values to make way for new ideas. We are a nation that leads, carving a path through uncharted territory, exploring new frontiers, and paving the way for future generations.

But with growth comes growing pains. As we shed our old skin and transform into something new, we experience moments of discomfort and unease. Yet, in the midst of the storm, we remain anchored, unwavering in our resolve to create a better tomorrow.

For those who fear change, remember that the butterfly must first break free from its cocoon before it can spread its wings and fly. Like the butterfly, we too must break free from the cocoon of our past and embrace the winds of change that will carry us forward.

So let us shed our old skin and embrace the new, for America will always lead the way, a shining city on a hill that inspires others to reach for the stars. Let us continue to grow and evolve, knowing that the future is bright and full of promise.

- GW, GPT

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American values, such as patriotism, religious faith, hard work, and having children, which have long helped define the country’s character, are receding in importance to Americans. Only money was cited as very important by 43% of respondents in the new survey, up from 31% in 1998. 

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A new poll conducted by The Wall Street Journal and NORC at the University of Chicago has revealed that American values and priorities, such as patriotism, religious faith, and community involvement, are no longer as important to Americans as they once were. The survey conducted online from March 1-13, 2023, polled 1,019 individuals, and shows a significant generational divide, with younger Americans placing less importance on traditional values than their parents.

According to the poll, only 38% of respondents considered patriotism very important to them, a sharp drop from 70% when the Journal first asked the question in 1998. Similarly, 39% of respondents believed that religion was very important, compared to 62% who said the same in 1998. Additionally, the share of Americans who say that having children, involvement in their community, and hard work are very important values has also fallen. Tolerance for others, deemed very important by 80% of Americans as recently as four years ago, has fallen to 58% since then.

The poll also highlighted sharp political party divides over social issues that have gained prominence, such as businesses promoting racial and ethnic diversity, the acceptance of transgender individuals, and gender-neutral pronouns. For instance, over 50% of Republicans believe society has gone too far in promoting diversity in businesses, while 61% of Democrats believe that diversity efforts have not gone far enough. Moreover, 75% of Republicans believe society has gone too far in accepting people who are transgender, while 56% of Democrats believe that society hasn't gone far enough.

The poll results suggest that America is undergoing a significant shift in values, with younger Americans placing less importance on traditional values than their parents. Some have expressed concern about these shifts, while others believe that change is natural and necessary for progress. Despite the generational divide, the poll showed that there was still consensus on certain issues, such as economic opportunity, with 21% of respondents believing that America stands above all other countries in the world.

Bill McInturff, a pollster who worked on a previous Journal survey that measured these attitudes along with NBC News, said that "these differences are so dramatic; it paints a new and surprising portrait of a changing America.'' He further stated that "perhaps the toll of our political division, Covid, and the lowest economic confidence in decades is having a startling effect on our core values.''

The poll results highlight the increasing political polarization in America, particularly on social issues. The findings also suggest that America is in a period of significant change, and it remains to be seen how these shifts will impact the country's future.

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Tweet: #WSJ-NORC Poll Finds American values such as patriotism, religious faith, hard work, and having children are receding in importance to Americans, while the country is divided by political party over social trends. (193 characters)

Intro Paragraph: As per a new Wall Street Journal-NORC poll, American values, such as patriotism, religious faith, hard work, and having children, which have long helped define the country’s character, are receding in importance to Americans. Only money was cited as very important by 43% of respondents in the new survey, up from 31% in 1998. (95 words)

Keyword list: American values, Wall Street Journal-NORC poll, patriotism, religious faith, hard work, racial diversity, gender-neutral pronouns, social trends, political division, Covid, economic confidence, social issues

Image Prompt: An image of the American flag with faded colors, symbolizing the fading importance of American values.

Three-point executive summary:

1. American values, including patriotism, religious faith, hard work, and having children, are receding in importance to Americans, as per the Wall Street Journal-NORC poll.
2. The country is divided by political party over social trends such as racial diversity in businesses and the use of gender-neutral pronouns.
3. Only money was cited as very important by 43% of respondents in the new survey, up from 31% in 1998.

Real song that matches the theme: "American Pie" by Don McLean, which reflects on the changes happening in the US during the 1960s and 70s, a time of cultural upheaval and social change. The song's lyrics are about the loss of innocence and the end of an era, which can be paralleled with the changes happening in America today.

Search question: What does the Wall Street Journal-NORC poll reveal about American values and social trends?