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Perceptions of moral decline in Middletown

This study employs a modernization framework to advance the idea that there are three types of morality coexisting in contemporary America. These three types are traditional, modern, and late-modern. Data from the 1998 Middletown Area Survey are examined to test the hypothesis that individuals with higher levels of formal education will tend to characterize "moral decline" in more modern or late-modern terms. The relationship between religious affiliation and characterization of moral decline is also examined. Findings include support for all three types of morality. Education does not directly relate to more modern notions of morality. However it does decrease support for traditional ideas about moral decline. Religious affiliation strongly predicts traditional morality. An expansion of the concept of the late-modern morality is suggested based on the measure's unexpected relationship with issues such as abortion and homosexuality. / Department of Sociology

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/186443
Date January 1999
CreatorsMcElmurry, Kevin L.
ContributorsTamney, Joseph B.
Source SetsBall State University
Detected LanguageEnglish
Formatvi, 62 leaves ; 28 cm.
SourceVirtual Press
Coveragen-us---

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