American Moral Compass

Abortion Museum
Sep 2
5 min read

Insights from the May 2025 Gallup Poll

Every year, Gallup releases its Values and Beliefs survey, offering a snapshot of how Americans perceive a range of moral issues. The 2025 poll, conducted in May, asked over 1,000 adults across the country where they stand on topics from adultery and cloning to abortion and assisted suicide.

While the data includes twenty moral behaviors, a few stood out to us—because they speak volumes about how our culture views life, relationships, and responsibility. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at four key topics:

Abortion
Sex between unmarried men and women
Having a baby outside of marriage
Doctor-assisted suicide

And we’ll reflect on what these numbers say about the state of our collective conscience—and where hope fits into the picture.

Abortion: A Divided Nation Still Searching for Moral Clarity

The abortion section of the Gallup poll.

According to the 2025 poll, 49% of Americans say abortion is morally acceptable, down from a record high of 54% last year. That means nearly half of the population is unsure—or feels abortion is morally wrong.

This is not just a statistic. It’s a reflection of the deep ache, confusion, and debate that surrounds the issue of ending life in the womb. At its core, abortion is a moral crossroads that challenges us to consider what it means to protect the most vulnerable among us.

We understand this is a difficult topic—one that touches real lives and stories. But perhaps this decline in moral approval signals a reawakening. A growing realization that every life, no matter how small, holds value and potential.

There are encouraging signs of this shift already taking root. More and more young people—especially from Gen Z—are embracing a pro-life ethic (Relevant Magazine study). They are driven by justice, armed with science, and moved by powerful stories of survival and healing. Many are no longer persuaded by abstract slogans, but instead are leaning into truth rooted in compassion.

At the same time, pregnancy resource centers across the country are receiving renewed attention and support (house.gov). These centers provide real help to women—offering diapers, housing, emotional care, job assistance, and a place to be seen and supported. In many communities, they are becoming a beacon of hope—showing what it truly means to stand for life not just in theory, but in action. For more information on pregnancy resource centers, visit our resources page.

We pray that hearts continue to open—not in condemnation, but in compassion and truth. That the growing moral hesitation around abortion will become a cultural turning point, and that as a nation, we will choose to value every life as sacred.

Sex Outside of Marriage: Cultural Acceptance and Personal Consequences

The "Sex between unmarried man and woman" section of the Gallup poll.

This year, a majority of Americans continue to view sex between unmarried men and women as morally acceptable.

Culturally, this isn’t surprising. Our media, entertainment, and even education systems have normalized casual sex.

When sex is separated from commitment, intimacy from responsibility, and pleasure from purpose, it can leave emotional and spiritual wounds. It impacts not only the individuals involved but also future families, communities, and the way we view love itself.

A study by the American Psychological Association found that over 82% of college students who engaged in casual sex later reported negative emotional consequences like embarrassment, regret, and loss of self-respect.
Another large-scale study published in the Journal of Sex Research revealed that casual sex is strongly associated with lower psychological well-being and higher levels of emotional distress—particularly among young adults.
Long-term impacts show up in relationships too. Research from the Institute for Family Studies reports that people with multiple premarital sexual partners face up to a 50% higher risk of divorce, particularly in early marriages.

These studies suggest that casual sex—especially when detached from deeper commitment—can lead to regret, emotional turmoil, and relational instability.

We encourage you to explore what it means to honor intimacy as sacred, not just physical. There’s a beauty in commitment, in covenant, and in saying: “I choose you—for life.”

Having a Baby Outside of Marriage: A Reflection of Resilience and Risk

The "Having a baby outside of marriage" section of the Gallup poll.

The poll also reveals that most Americans now see having a baby outside of marriage as morally acceptable.

This may reflect increased compassion for women in difficult circumstances—and that’s a good thing. Every child is a gift, and every mother deserves support, not shame. Life should always be welcomed, even when the journey is hard or unexpected.

But while the child is never the issue, we must still ask: What kind of environment best helps that child thrive?

Study after study shows that children raised in homes with both a mother and a father—committed in marriage—tend to do better emotionally, academically, and economically (Center for Law and Social Policy). Marriage between a man and a woman creates a stable framework that helps children grow with the security, balance, and love they need. It's not about control—it's about careful design, woven into creation itself.

And yet, we must be absolutely clear: A less-than-ideal environment should never be an excuse to end a life.

Too often, abortion is framed as the solution to poverty, broken relationships, or fear of raising a child alone. But the value of a child’s life is not diminished by imperfect circumstances. That’s why life-affirming options like adoption exist—offering hope both to the mother and to families waiting to love a child.

We live in a world where the structure of the family is often sidelined or redefined. But we believe that marriage is not just a social tradition—it’s a foundation. It offers protection, identity, and long-term support for both parents and children.

We must not abandon the value of marriage—but reclaim it as a sacred covenant, one that nurtures life and strengthens future generations.

Doctor-Assisted Suicide: The Moral Dilemma at Life’s End

The "Doctor-assisted suicide" section of the Gallup poll.

Lastly, the poll shows that a majority of Americans believe doctor-assisted suicide is morally acceptable.

This reflects a shift in how we view suffering, autonomy, and dignity. And while the desire to avoid pain is deeply human, we must be cautious.

Ending life—even at its end—is not an act of mercy. True mercy walks with the suffering, offers comfort, and says: “You are not a burden. You are still worthy of love.” Every moment of life, even in its final days, is sacred.

Our elderly and terminally ill deserve better than a quiet exit. They deserve care, presence, and the reminder that life is not defined by ability, but by dignity.

If you would like to explore more on this topic, please consider the story of Kim, told by Joni Eareckson Tada in “The Sanctity of Life Exhibit.”

Where Do We Go From Here?

These four moral issues—abortion, sex outside of marriage, single parenthood, and assisted suicide—may seem disconnected. But they all speak to one central question:

Do we still believe in the value and dignity of every human life?

At the Abortion Museum, our mission is rooted in hope. We believe that life—at every stage—is a gift. That truth and compassion can go hand-in-hand. And that even in a culture confused about morality, there’s still time to turn the tide.

If you or someone you know is facing a hard decision, feeling overwhelmed by the past, or simply looking for help, please visit our Resources Page for support and healing.

Did these poll numbers surprise you?

No.
Yes. Acceptance of these topics is higher than I expected.
Yes. Acceptance of these topics is lower than I expected.