MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (March 18) — A new nationwide survey conducted for the Medal of Honor Foundation by Ipsos reveals a deep concern among Americans that society is losing its moral compass. An overwhelming 87% believe the country would be better off with stronger values, yet many feel that schools, social institutions, and public leaders are not doing enough to instill them. The study highlights growing generational divides, with younger Americans significantly less likely to embrace principles like patriotism and citizenship compared to previous generations.
Based on poll findings, more than 90% of Americans consider integrity, commitment, citizenship, and courage to be significant, while 75% hold citizenship and patriotism to be important. Three in four Americans believe these values are not prioritized in today’s society with only one-third of the 18–35 year-olds believing in patriotism and citizenship, highlighting a sharp generational divide.
Statistics show that social media has overtaken schools as a primary source of values education among youth—a troubling shift that many Americans see as problematic. Respondents reported most of the values learned are from home and family (85%), while learning at school (36%) falls way behind – but still the second most influential place.
Among the key findings is that nine in ten Americans believe there is a severe lack of exposure to positive role models for youth, presenting a significant challenge for teaching core values, confirming a need to regain schools’ prominence in values education, by providing programs, educational experiences, and role models for students. These are all areas that Medal of Honor Recipients have been delivering since the Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered in 1958 by Congress.
Medal of Honor Recipients continue to serve and follow the mission to “to teach, inspire and stimulate our youth to become worthy citizens of our country” through outreach, education and preservation programs, including the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, Medal of Honor Museum, Congressional Medal of Honor Outreach Programs, and the annual Congressional Medal of Honor Citizen Honors Awards for Valor and Service being held on Medal of Honor Day, March 25, in Arlington, Virginia.
Overall, the poll reveals that 82% of Americans believe that, compared to previous generations, American society is now less values based. Reversing this is a priority of the Medal of Honor Recipients.
“These findings make it clear—our nation must recommit to values-based education and leadership at every level of society,” said Britt Slabinski, Medal of Honor Recipient and President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “Character is the foundation of a strong nation, and as the exemplar of the free world, the United States has a responsibility to lead by example. Through our outreach programs and the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, we are committed to ensuring that future generations understand that leadership is not about titles or recognition – it’s about standing, delivering, and living the ideals that make this nation great. The strength of America—and the free world—depends on it.”
“When I visit classrooms, I see firsthand how students are eager to learn about character and leadership,” said Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McCloughan. This poll confirms what many of us already know: young people are looking for role models, and we must step up to fill that gap.”
Medal of Honor Foundation Chairman Dave McIntyre added, “This poll shows us that, as a society, we do have our work cut out for us when it comes to strengthening our values, but I believe that the good news is that no group is more worthy of emulation than our nation’s Medal of Honor Recipients as we seek champions of strong values and those who can serve as role models.”
For more details on the study or to arrange an interview with a Medal of Honor Recipient, please contact John Shertzer, Executive Director, Medal of Honor Foundation – at [email protected] or 515-201-5755. To learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and its education programs, visit cmohs.org.
About National Medal of Honor Day:
March 25 was established by Congress in 1991 as National Medal of Honor Day to “foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor Recipients.” March 25th was chosen because it was on this day in 1863, that the first Medals of Honor were presented to six members of Andrews’ Raiders. To its Recipients, the Medal of Honor represents more than recognition of combat actions. It symbolizes the sacrifices of those they served alongside and those who came before.
During March, Medal of Honor Recipients will participate in community outreach activities and events nationwide. The highly anticipated National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas will open to the public officially on March 25. Other commemorations will include wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Medal of Honor Memorial in Indianapolis, IN, the Medal of Honor Memorial in Riverside, CA, and the Medal of Honor Museum on the U.S.S. Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, SC.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is comprised of those who wear the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor. As individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor Recipients are committed to serving our country in peace as they did in war by championing the values of courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. The nonprofit Society preserves their stories and shares their values through Outreach and Education initiatives and its Medal of Honor Museum. By serving, remembering, supporting, and honoring the sacrifice of the Recipients, by sharing the stories and values inherent in them, we understand the responsibility and potential within each one of us to impact the world.
About the Medal of Honor Foundation
The Medal of Honor Foundation, the producer of the Citizen Honors Awards, is a gold-rated 501(c)(3) charity established to advance the work of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and ensure it has the resources to thrive in its mission. The Foundation delivers educational programs built upon the Medal of Honor values: courage, commitment, citizenship, integrity, sacrifice, and patriotism. This includes the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, a free K-12 values-based curriculum for schools. The program utilizes a vast library of living history videos featured on cmohs.org: the most comprehensive internet resource on the Medal of Honor available. The Foundation’s programs and operations are fully funded by generous donors.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 18,000 people. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).