The Land of Lady Libertine
Norms surrounding behaviors relating to sexual behavior and reproduction have been shifting in the U.S. in recent years. Where once normatively taboo, certain behaviors and lifestyle choices are now much more likely to be normatively sanctioned. Associated with these normative shifts has been the increased tendency for Americans to label themselves as socially liberal, dethroning the heretofore majority status enjoyed by the label "social conservative."
Norms are shared expectations of behavior for specific situations. The behaviors associated with norms are often violated in practice, but the existence of the norm means that these violations tend to be manifested privately and not publicly. Historically, examples of normatively proscribed behaviors in the U.S. have included gay and lesbian relations, sex outside of marriage, having a baby out of wedlock and polygamy. As noted, American norms surrounding these behaviors have been shifting.
We at Gallup have reported on these shifts in a series of stories, and various news outlets and commentators have given their opinions on what these shifts may mean as the results have become known. Herewith are five things that seem particularly interesting to review about these shifting attitudes.
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Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/5-things-weve-learned-about-americans-and-moral-values-140747/
