Americans’ views on religion, family, and national identity have shifted significantly over the past three decades, yet they still embrace the same principles, according to a new survey from the American Enterprise Institute.The survey, conducted among a random sample of 5,306 adults between Feb. 12-18 and published Tuesday, compared Americans’ attitudes to those recorded in 1998 and found broad support for many long-standing ideals.The findings showed that most Americans still embrace ideals such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal opportunity.
The report also found that 63% of respondents said it was “very important” for high school students to learn how slavery and racial discrimination shaped U.S. history, though views on historical education varied by generation.
The survey also recognized generational differences. Generation Z was less likely than boomers to say “studying the history of Christianity in America was very important.”
Sixty-six percent of respondents said the role of Christianity in America’s founding was “very” or “somewhat important” to be taught in school. By contrast, only 17% of respondents said teaching LGBT identities and experiences was “very important.”
