Why are society's morals declining - leading to more divorces, teen pregnancies, and broken homes?

Question

Some contributors to this problem include pornography, the dissolution of the traditional family, not enough parenting time or support, the allowance of unmarried sex, etc. What are some of your answers?

Answer 1

The general lack of responsibility, the acceptance of social norms that are not moral, the victim mentality - that all of our problems are someone else's fault. The removal of God, moral education, and corporal punishment from our schools.

Answer 2

I respectfully question the assumption that society's morals are declining.

For example, divorce. Divorce rates peaked in the 80's and have been flat (though still admittedly high) since then. Issues like "traditional marriage" have NO effect whatsoever on social morals. Massachusetts, the only state that has fully legalized same sex marriage, has the lowest rates of divorce!

This issue of declining morals is sadly a manufactured issue that certain politicians roll out when they need to distract the public from other issues. We may see our moral struggles and moral difference more these days b/c of the media, but people are not so different.

The only thing that can and should be done is to make sure that each individual is responsible for the moral and ethical decisions in their OWN lives (and the lives of the children for whom they are responsible) and society as a whole will continue to be fine.

Answer 3

I think there are different expectations that people have for themselves and for each other.

Rather than saying 'traditional' family, I would say, 'functional', but that functionality is threatened by, as you said, not enough parenting time or support.

I think it's the rat race... the haves and have-nots, but in some ways, the rat race is feeling more crucial than before. It's difficult to say why, but it's probably because the stakes are higher - the
'haves' have more and the 'nots' have not.

I also think that pornography and vise are more alluring to people who feel less secure about their livelihoods, and these days, that's a lot more people than there used to be.

I also think that moral chauvenism is on the rise as people become frustrated with the situation. This is a very powerful political tool for distracting people from real concerns.

Answer 4

Declining? Compared to what? These things have ALWAYS been around. It's just that during ancient times, they didn't have CNN to tell people on the other side of the world what was going on. And, just what do you mean by "traditional family" according to who's culture? It's not the bibles. Definitely not from the Old Testament either, polygamy and adultery and porn (Song of Solomon) is ALL over the place in there. Please don't try to convince us that it was pure back then. It has never been pure. The only difference is how big society has gotten and we have technology to transfer this information as soon as it happens. Back then, you may not hear about something till the following year.

Answer 5

50 years ago, it was the norm to take your kids to Sunday school and church every Sunday. The thing about Sunday school is that it teaches morals and conduct. Kids today don't get that, we've become so politically correct that taking kids to church is basically a no-no. It's politically incorrect to point out wrong things to our kids too, like saying its bad to be gay, so the kids grow up having no idea whats right or wrong. Family outings seem to be becoming a thing of the past too, you rarely see a family with a teenager anymore, and if you do, the teen is on their cell phone and not paying any attention to the family. Even something as simple as family meals are no more. Family's have become disconnected and distant, so the kids aren't getting that one on one contact they use to get from their parents. The parents themselves are distant with each other, too busy with work to bother being married.

Answer 6

Morals are not declining - but the pressure on persons to stay in an unhappy relation are reduced.

50 years ago, you simply could not make a living as a divorced woman - and everybody would consider you being an alien or worse.

So the so-called good old times were just, that you didn't have a choice than to stay together!!

Answer 7

divorce is down to 40% , from 50% just a short time ago. Teen pregnancy and abortions are also declining, which I attribute to education and tolerance. If you want to throw us back to the dark ages and reverse the payoffs of our hard work and diligence, then go ahead. But society isn't on the decline like you say it is.

Answer 8

Because religion has warped the minds of human beings. Now they reject the false beliefs and have nothing to fall back on. Not yet any way. Soon they'll wake up to the fact that religion and government are a scam and they'll start thinking for themselves.

Answer 9

actually, there never was the traditional 50's happy family, it was propaganda made up for tv. There is a problem, which has been exposed more due to information technology, and brought on partly due to overpopulation. i dont know if you are listing the symptoms or the disease.

Answer 10

Society is also a big help, with the separation of peoples into tribes, as it were, and the view on TV and in the movies that it is cool and hip to be vulgar.