A recent Gallup poll conducted from May 1-17, 2026, indicates that Americans' views on the moral acceptability of several behaviors have declined significantly compared to the previous year. The behaviors tracked include the use of birth control (83%), having a baby outside of marriage (58%), gambling (57%), sex between teenagers (35%), and cloning animals (27%). Birth control, gambling, and cloning animals have reached record lows this year after remaining relatively stable in prior years.
The poll, which has been conducted annually since 2001, shows that alongside birth control, other behaviors viewed as morally acceptable by majorities include divorce (74%), sex between unmarried individuals (65%), gay or lesbian relations (62%), medical research using stem cells from human embryos (59%), buying clothing made of animal fur (57%), and the death penalty (52%). In contrast, behaviors such as extramarital affairs, cloning humans, polygamy, suicide, cloning animals, pornography, and changing one’s gender are considered morally wrong by majorities ranging from 57% to 89%.
Opinions on abortion, doctor-assisted suicide, and medical testing on animals are more divided, with 49% of U.S. adults considering abortion morally acceptable, a decrease from 54% in 2024. Views on doctor-assisted suicide and medical testing on animals are nearly evenly split.
The poll also highlights significant partisan differences in moral acceptability. For 14 of the 20 behaviors measured, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to find them acceptable, with the largest gaps observed for abortion and changing gender. Republicans, on the other hand, are more likely to find the death penalty, buying animal fur, and medical testing on animals acceptable.
Independents show distinct views on polygamy, with 27% considering it morally acceptable compared to 17% of Democrats and 7% of Republicans. Over the past year, the acceptance of several behaviors has declined among Independents, while Democrats have also shown decreased acceptance for certain behaviors. Republicans have seen a decline in views on teenage sex but an increase in acceptance of divorce.
Overall, while Americans have generally become more accepting of various behaviors over the past two decades, recent trends indicate a plateau or decline in acceptance levels, although they remain higher than they were 25 years ago.