Survey: American Dream Centers on Family Values

By Jennifer Riley, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Given the popular perception that Americans have become more liberal, it may be of surprise to hear that most people still embrace traditional family values as the foundation of the American dream.

More than 75 percent of all American adults said their ideal life includes having good physical health (listed by 85 percent), living with a high degree of integrity (85 percent), having one marriage partner for life (80 percent), having a clear purpose for living (77 percent), having a close relationship with God (75 percent), and having close, personal friendships (74 percent), according to a Barna report released Monday.

Interestingly, these top six factors of an American dream life have remained relatively unchanged over the years that the Barna Group has conducted such a survey.

"Stability rules," George Barna, who has overseen this research since 1991, noted. "Out of nineteen factors, only two have seen even a ten-point shift in nearly two decades. That's rather remarkable consistency."

He further commented that while the nation has experienced significant changes in laws in the last quarter-century, what Americans seek are "traditional family values: a single marriage for life, a solid family experience, displaying good character, living a life that has meaning and impact, and having an active faith."

Additional popular conditions of the American dream include having a comfortable lifestyle (70 percent), having a satisfying sex life with their marriage partner (66 percent), having children (66 percent), living close to family and relatives (63 percent), being deeply committed to the Christian faith (59 percent), and making a difference in the world (56 percent).

Several factors have increased in importance to Americans, including their commitment to their Christian faith (up six points since 2000), making a difference in the world (up nine points since 2000), living with a high degree of integrity (up nine points since 1991), having children (up 11 points since 2000), and having a comfortable lifestyle (up 11 points since 1991).

Factors that fell in importance included having good physical health (down eight points since 1991); having a college degree (downg five points since 2000), and working at a high-paying job (down 15 points since 1993).

Barna observes, "Sometimes the abundant opportunities and challenges of daily life distract or divert people from their commitment to these outcomes, but in their hearts they have retained some pretty basic and traditional hope and dreams."

"Leaders might take note of this and compare their own vision and plans for the future with the ideal life that Americans hope to experience," he added.

The survey is based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,003 adults , age 18 and older, in May 2008.