America in Moral Decline? Morality,

America in Moral Decline?

Morality, like any other social issue, ebbs and flows through time like natural seasonal cycles. The degree of importance placed upon, volunteerism, philanthropic giving, child nurturing, and vices like alcohol consumption, illicit drug use and fornication in its truest definition, coitus outside of wedlock, are all dependant upon the morals and standards being taught to youth at home, in schools and in the community. In the past 20 years there has been a constant outcry regarding the potential moral decline of the culture of the U.S., with many sighting outrageous and exceptional extremism in actions by a few. Some examples are the Enron accounting scandal, the Clinton sex scandal, rampant drug use, gang activities, unintended and out of wedlock births and many others. Yet, it is the contention of many that such sensationalism, on the part of the media and the moral right feed the idea that the nation is in some sort of spiraling circling of the drain with regard to morality and moral behavior. (Lambro, 1998, p. 17)

The most recent stand has been the opposite, that if you look at the national statistics associated with consistent markers of moral behaviors, such as volunteerism, divorce, charitable giving, alcohol consumption and violent crime rates, the sociologist would tell you that the statistics don't lie and that much of the sensationalism associated with the negative moral situation in our nation, is just that, sensationalism, that these statistics are actually better than they have been in many years and will likely continue to improve. (Lambro, 1998, p. 17) the value of looking at the moral state o ht nation or any nation through this more realistic scope is essential, as it gives those who stand for moral growth the idea that their efforts have not gone for not, regardless of the media take on the issue.