"American values and ethics are believed to be in a state of flux. Today, 

Americans face a bewildering range of lifestyle options, with complex 

and unprecedented decisions to make. With corporate ethics being 

questioned and the media reporting unethical individual acts, one 

wonders what values are important to Americans today. Do they still 

hold the same ethics and values as they did 10 years ago, or have the 

values of our society changed?

America prides itself on being a diverse country. It is a mixture of 

genders, races, ages, cultural backgrounds, and religious beliefs. This 

diversity brings with it a host of values, some that are held very strongly 

and acted upon, and others that are less vital in people’s everyday lives. 

On some value indicators, such as honesty, citizenship, and ethics, 

there are significant differences between the value younger and older 

Americans place on specific traits. There are also gender differences 

most often surrounding values related to family and community service, 

as well as racial and ethnic differences surrounding faith. Yet amid this 

diversity there are commonly held values involving family, country, 

personal responsibility, and ethics that bring us together as Americans.

American values related to ethical behaviors vary according to the 

perceived degree of the offense. They have a strong opposition to illicit 

use of hard drugs such as heroin or LSD, but have more lenient views 

on taking office supplies for personal use and speeding. Women are 

generally more strongly opposed to any unethical behavior than men.

Like adults, youth are more satisfied with their immediate lives than 

with American society or the world today. They feel safe in their 

immediate environment, such as their school and their neighborhood, 

but much less safe in the larger world. However, the feeling of safety 

varies by race. African Americans are less likely than whites to feel safe in 

their school or their neighborhood.

Also like adults, youth place a great deal of importance on family 

relationships; however, this importance declines with age. Girls are also 

more likely than boys to place a high importance on family relationships.  

However, all youth regardless of age and gender say that their parents are 

the most influential people when it comes to teaching values and ethics.

Youth are also generally honest and ethical. Most would not participate 

in dishonest or destructive acts, and very few report participating in 

acts such as carrying a gun to school, using hard drugs such as LSD, or 

shoplifting. However, like adults, they tend to participate in dishonest 

or unethical acts that they feel carry fewer consequences or that have 

higher peer pressure, such as cheating on homework or tests and 

drinking alcohol. Almost one in five youth has also participated in binge 

drinking or fighting another group of youth. It should also be noted that 

participation in each of these destructive or unethical behaviors increases 

with age.

Comparing youth in 1995 to youth today reveals some encouraging 

trends. Fewer youth today report shoplifting, cheating on homework, 

carrying a gun to school, or being a member of a gang.

Men who were Scouts agree that Scouting has had a positive influence on their lives, as well as on American society as a whole. Scouting has 

positively influenced their character development, self-confidence, 

interpersonal skills, and family relationships. In fact, compared with 

men in 1995, a larger number of men today say that Scouting activities 

improved their family life at the time they were Scouts, had a positive 

effect on their school life in later years, and positively influenced their 

career development and advancement as an adult.

Compared with men who were never Scouts, men who were Scouts 

five or more years as youth are more satisfied with their present lives 

and occupations, have sustained lifelong friendships, and place a higher 

value on family relationships. Men who were Scouts also earn higher 

incomes, achieve higher levels of education, and attend religious services 

more often then men who were never Scouts.

Boys who are or were Scouts also agree that Scouting is a positive 

influence in their life. Scouting has helped them gain self-confidence, 

leadership skills, determination, and social interaction skills. Scouting 

has also impacted their academic skills. Scouting activities have helped 

Scouts improve their reading, science, engineering, physical fitness, and 

emergency preparedness skills. In addition, boys who are Scouts report 

earning higher grades than do boys who were never Scouts.

Current and former Scouts are more active and have a wider range of 

interests than boys who have not been Scouts. They tend to watch less

television than other boys and engage in more extracurricular activities 

such as fine arts, hobbies, and school clubs. 

Scouts are also more likely to make the most ethical decisions, not 

the easiest. Scouts are more likely to volunteer to be a leader, practice 

responsible recycling procedures, and take part in community service.  

They are also more likely to report a classmate with a gun and are less 

likely than non-Scouts to drink alcohol.

"