Traditional American values on the decline, poll finds: Patriotism, faith, having children hold less importance to American people

A recent Wall Street Journal survey conducted with NORC at the University of Chicago found that long-held, traditional American values — including patriotism, religious faith, having children, and belonging to a community — are declining in importance for Americans.

The poll, released Monday, surveyed 1,019 people between March 1 and 13. It found that only 38% of Americans rate "patriotism" as "very important" to them, compared to 70% in 1998. Similarly, only 39% of U.S. citizens gave the same value of importance to religion, versus 62% in 1998.
 

Recently polled Americans also placed less importance on having children. Approximately 30% state that raising children was "very important" to them, compared to 59% 25 years ago.