We often hear about the need to fight against the problems associated with poverty. There’s no doubt that poverty is worth fighting, but in the meantime, let’s not forget about the urgent need to fight against the problems associated with wealth. The Pew Research Center yesterday published the results of its latest Social Trends study, titled “A Barometer of Modern Morals”. Among the study’s most interesting findings: as income goes up, moral standards go down. Attitudes toward two issues in particular, abortion & premarital sex, bring this point home. The numbers for premarital sex break down like this:
Based on income: 24% of those with incomes over $75,000 believe premarital sex is wrong. 36% of those with incomes between $30,000 – $75,000 believe it’s wrong. 39% of those with incomes under $30,000 believe it’s wrong. *** Based on level of education: 26% of college graduates believe that premarital sex is morally wrong. 31% of those with some college experience believe it’s wrong. 43% of those with high school education (or less) believe it’s wrong. Source: Pew Reserach Center survey, February 1-5, 2006
For abortion:
Based on income: 43% of those with incomes over $75,000 believe abortion is wrong. 55% of those with incomes between $30,000 – $75,000 believe it’s wrong. 57% of those with incomes under $30,000 believe it’s wrong. *** Based on level of education: 40% of college graduates believe that abortion is morally wrong. 47% of those with some college experience believe it’s wrong. 60% of those with high school education (or less) believe it’s wrong. Source: Pew Research Center survey, February 1-5, 2006
I can’t help but call to mind something I once heard Father John Corapi say (I’m paraphrasing here): At the end of your life, it’s not important what letters you have after your name — M.D., Ph.D, Esq., etc. — all that matters is that you have two letters before your name: St.
