A recent New York Times graphic had a few stunning stats about changes in public opinion since 2001 according to Gallup surveys.
Out of Wedlock Birth — The majority of the public now believes that it’s morally acceptable for babies to be born outside of wedlock (55% in May 2008 vs 45% May 2002). It’s hard to think of any particular cultural event that would have moved the needle this much. There’s probably a snowball effect: the more people who know others who had babies out of wedlock, the more acceptable it seems, leading others to follow suit. This strikes me as a truly stunning development which ought to be a big topic amidst the presidential campaign.
Religion — The percentage of people who said religion has lost influence on American life jumped from 39% to 62% — and the number saying it should have less influence rose from 22% to 34%. What happened during these six years to have turned the public against religion? The studies don’t say. Here are two guesses: the Catholic Church scandal and the close alliance between the Republican Party and conservative Christians, at a time when the Republican brand became unpopular.
Your theories?