Why has there been a decline in American values?

Question

Personally, I think it is because we've become too complacent. We're not grateful for our freedom, we take it for granted. We live in a 'I want it right now!' society.

Please answe WITHOUT laying blame on any particular group of people, thank you...Salam Aliakum.

Answer 1

cell phones, internet, kids staying at home and not getting married at 18

theyre out there having sex from 15 to 25 before they get married

Answer 2

You're right, we have become complacent. People just do not care anymore. America started off as Puritans, which were some of the strictest Christians ever. Its only been 200 years, and already our country is so far down the hill we're below sea level. Its ridiculous. I go to church every Sunday. Its not hard to do. You just have to decide on a personal level whether you want to be a good person, or if you want to be "average." I make mistakes just like anyone else, but that is what life is about. If America, and the world in general would learn from their mistakes, humanity would be perfect. The Lord knows we've made enough! As time progresses, our values become less popular, and, no doubt, will be widely abandoned. But I won't leave my faith. I have been a Christian for a long as I can remember, and I'm not about to leave that behind.

Answer 3

The US is a nation where the "non-negotiable" and unsustainable "American" way of life is propped up by global conflict, out-of-control military spending, massive and unsustainable debt, and an increasingly-aggressive fascist police state. It is a nation where all US citizens who do not resist and disconnect from this paradigm enjoy their ever-diminishing privileges with the guilty knowledge that somewhere else, hopefully in some "other" country, others are paying the price for it. people have surrendered to tyranny, and in so doing, they have become tyranny's primary support group; its base constituency; its chief defender. Every day they offer their endorsement of tyranny by banking in its banks and spending their borrowed money with the corporations that run it. The great Neocon strategy of George H.W. Bush has triumphed. Convince the American people that they can't live without the "good things", then sit back and watch as they endorse the progressively more outrageous crimes you commit as you throw them bones with ever-less meat on them. All the while, lock them into debt. Destroy the middle class, the only political base that need be feared. Make them accept, because of their own shared guilt, ever-more repressive police state measures. Do whatever you want. This new quiescence comes at a time when US crimes are far worse and more far-reaching than they were in 1970; certainly in the eyes of the world. In 2001 the US government both facilitated and executed the attacks of 9/11 against its own people, killing thousands of its citizens as an excuse to launch a neo-imperial conquest for energy. A few Americans held small rallies, organized some ineffective groups, bought a few hundred thousand books and DVDs, listened to a few radio programs and lectures, and then quietly lined up to have their bags, emails, credit histories, minds and bodies searched. Critical mass was never achieved as Executive Orders along with the Patriot and Homeland Security Acts shredded the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th Amendments to our Bill of Rights. No amount of mind control spin can absolve any of us from acknowledging this ugly truth about the US and its crimes today. It lurks invisibly behind every corporate news broadcast, every commercially-made television show, every infomercial, every new magazine ad, and almost every new popular song that leads Americans deeper into ever-less-satisfying consumption, self-indulgence and debt. It stands grinning behind every report on the world's rapacious financial markets and every new automobile, shampoo, or other product that promises to give the world larger and more potent sexual organs, bigger (more ridiculous) breasts, a better love life, and peace of mind.

Answer 4

Because there is no accountability anymore for one's actions. Because parents refuse to correct their children. Because schools are not allowed to enforce discipline. Because "I want it right now" and "I want it again, and better than everyone else" has become the motto of many.

I also blame the fact that it is being instilled in children that they must be entertained constantly. DVDs at the dentist office, handheld video games, Ipods, video games in the mini vans. And we wonder why they can't read and why they're so frigging demanding all the time.

I don't blame any one particular group. Except the people who have this value vacuum in themselves and are raising their kids to be the same way.

Answer 5

It all descends from the baby boomers and the opposition to the Vietnam war. Somehow during that time, all traditional values such as the nuclear family, personal responsbility, respecting our elders and traditions, got thrown out and replaced by "Turn on, tune in, drop out" and anything goes mentality. Morals were replaced by whatever feels good. Personal responsibility was replaced with victimology. Spiratuality and doing good for others got replaced with shopping and instant gratification.

Answer 6

Our country has not had an economic depression in 70 years, and we have 95% of the work force employed. People's bellies are full. In short, we are a complacent, fat and happy bunch. That, combined with the "pop culture" that encourages lack of thought and lowest common denominator voyerism, is at the root of the dumbing down of America, and a decline in our values.

Answer 7

money is the simple answer. the rise and rise of materialist values has replaced all concern for the principles the founding fathers had. don't forget that even 200 years ago, people were warning against the influence of corporations in politics.

when profit is the goal, any motivating factor (greed, envy, lust) will be mined/manipulated to feed avarice. it is not complacenvy, it is a complete lack of interest in anything except what is sold as cool.

Answer 8

Values are handed down from our parents....I think the way I grew up was far different then chidren today. My father is a veteran from WW2 and so was the fathers of my best friends. Our parents grew up during a time when the country was at war...being patriotic and serving one's country was the thing to do...everyone did their part to support their country during the war. Our parents tried to pass these values onto us.

Answer 9

we live in such times... Lots of information but still something missing, something is not right... You are going one way and at some point feel - it is not the way you want to go, it doesn't bring you happiness. It's not just American values. i believe at every corner we have the similar situation

Answer 10

There are no such things as values. There is only what is good for society. We have gotten away from what is good for society and we are seeking only what is good for the individual. Unfortunately the things we think are good for us, sex, food, money, often lead to pain and suffering for the individual and society.

Answer 11

Americans like to push the envelope in television and music. If it hasn't been done before, they like to be the first to do it. We start to think that its normal to do the things we see and hear about, and it becomes a trend. We've forgotten whats important in life in the pursuit of wealth, power, and beauty and betray those closest to us to achieve it.