U.S. Pregnancy, Birth, and Abortion Rates

» The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pregnancy, birth, and abortion rates dropped from 1990 to 1999. Pregnancies fell 7%, to 6.28 million in 1999. The birthrate declined 9%, to 64.4 per 1000 women ages 15 to 44. Also, the abortion rate went down 22%, to 21.4 per 1000 women. Teen pregnancy rates reached historic lows, dropping 25%. The teen birthrate dropped 19%, and the teen abortion rate was down 39%.

» The significant drop in teen abortions seems to be part of a larger cultural trend. A recent Gallup survey of teens found 72% believe abortion is morally wrong. The survey of youth, aged 13 to 17, indicated just 19% believe abortion should be legal in all circumstances, compared to 26% for adults. About 47% of teens said it should be legal under some circumstances, while 55% of adults agreed. About 32% of teens thought abortion should never be permitted, yet only 17% of adults said the same.

Moral Decay

Recent research conducted by Barna Research Group supports the readily apparent: Morality is declining quickly. Of the ten moral behaviors evaluated, a majority of Americans believed that gambling (61%), co-habitation (60%), and sexual fantasies (59%) were "morally acceptable." Nearly half of the adult population considered having an abortion (45%) and having a sexual relationship with someone of the opposite sex other than their spouse (42%) to be moral. About a third of the population approved of pornography (38%), profanity (36%), drunkenness (35%), and homosexual sex (30%). An indicator of how confused our post-modern society has become is that only 17% of Americans believe it is morally acceptable to use non-prescription drugs. In comparison, abortion and adultery are twice as acceptable, and co-habitation, gambling, and sexual fantasizing are three times as acceptable. In essence, drug usage rather than these other perennial sins has become the great evil of our day!

"The data trends indicate that the moral perspectives of Americans are likely to continue to deteriorate," predicted researcher George Barna. "Compared to surveys we conducted just two years ago, significantly more adults are depicting such behaviors as morally acceptable. For instance, there have been increases in the percentages that condone sexual activity with someone of the opposite gender other than a spouse, abortion (up by 25%), and a 20% jump in people's acceptance of 'gay sex.' . . . Most of the people we interviewed believe that they are highly moral individuals and identify other people as responsible for the nation's moral decline. This is reflective of a nation where morality is generally defined according to one's feelings. In a postmodern society, where people do not acknowledge any moral absolutes, if a person feels justified in engaging in a specific behavior, then they do not make a connection with the immoral nature of that action. . . . Until people recognize that there are moral absolutes and attempt to live in harmony with them, we are likely to see a continued decay of our moral foundations. . . . Things are likely to get worse before they get better—and they are not likely to get better unless strong and appealing moral leadership emerges to challenge and redirect people's thoughts and behavior. At the moment, such leadership is absent."

American Finances

» Retirement-age homeowners are more likely than ever to be carrying mortgage debt. A USA Today analysis of census data shows that 28.3% of homeowners age 65 or older owe on their homes, up from 20.7% in 1990 and 18.9% in 1980. Although seniors are still the group most likely to own homes outright, their growing reliance on mortgage debt is part of a broader trend. Overall, 70% of homeowners owe against their homes, up from about 65% in both 1980 and 1990. However, the trend among seniors reflects erosion in a long-held financial goal and safety cushion for Depression-era Americans—owning a home free and clear in retirement. This trend overall seems to be the result of a change of approach from being savings-centered to having more liquid cash. Many retirees would rather have a monthly mortgage payment that frees up cash for other purposes, than to completely pay off their mortgage. Future liberty is being exchanged for immediate spending power.

» In a similar trend, USA Today also reports that more U.S. workers are jeopardizing their retirement futures by abandoning 401(k) plans and raiding retirement savings when they switch jobs. The average participation rate in 401(k) plans dropped 3.6 points this year to 72.6%. It is the second year participation fell. But 401(k) plan defections are not the only worrisome sign: The number of Americans who save for retirement has reached record lows. Only 42% routinely set aside money for retirement, the lowest since 1980. That is much lower than the 401(k) participation rate because it includes workers who have no company-sponsored retirement plan. The biggest drop in retirement savings was among the Baby Boomers—Americans aged 45 to 59. Just 41% of them are now saving for retirement, down 17 points from 2001. Among workers who took a distribution from a 401(k) plan last year, almost half—42%—cashed out when changing jobs.