According to a recent Pew Research Center survey covering 25 countries, American adults are notably more inclined than others to view their fellow citizens as morally lacking, with over half supporting this perspective. This study, released earlier this month, is the first of its kind, making it difficult to determine if this viewpoint is a long-term belief or a more recent development.
JP de Gance, the founder and president of Communio—a nonprofit focused on fostering strong families and community ties—shared insights with Fox News Digital, noting a disturbing trend of increasing distrust in American social circles. He mentioned that people seem to lack confidence in those around them in communities where there’s a significant American presence.
De Gance suggests that the rise in single-parent households is a major factor contributing to this decline in social trust. He points out that over the last several decades, there’s been a discernible separation of marriage, sex, and parenting. This shift has notably made the U.S. a leader among developed nations in terms of single-parent families, which, he argues, historically shape the moral outlook of younger generations.
The survey included various countries such as Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, and the UK, among others. It found that 53% of U.S. respondents think their fellow citizens are morally bad, following closely behind Turkey at 49% and Brazil at 48%. In contrast, Canadians were found to be the most optimistic, with 92% viewing their peers as morally good.
When asked about specific moral issues—like sex outside marriage, marijuana use, and divorce—90% of Americans believe sex outside marriage is wrong, significantly higher than for other behaviors such as watching pornography (52%) or having an abortion (47%).
Pew’s findings also revealed a partisan divide on perceptions of morality. About 60% of Democrats feel their fellow citizens fall short morally, versus 46% of Republicans. Past surveys highlighted a growing sense of partisan mistrust, with both sides viewing the opposition as more immoral.
De Gance expressed concern over this high percentage of Americans, both Democrat and Republican, who view others negatively, attributing it to a decline in foundational social institutions, like strong families. He remarked, “If you can’t trust the people who brought you into the world, it creates a ripple effect.”
To mend this growing distrust, De Gance suggests that reinforcing family bonds is essential. He emphasizes that family dinners and open conversations about everyday challenges can foster a sense of trust and love. Moreover, he highlighted the crucial role of fathers in this dynamic, noting that their absence makes it harder to form strong bonds.
He believes this focus on family and relationship-building starts long before children enter adulthood. De Gance advises young people to consider their future partners carefully, observing their behavior to gauge compatibility. For those in unmarried parenting situations, finding cooperative co-parenting solutions is vital. He concluded by stating that personal choices can have significant wider social impacts.
