Numerous pundits and, no doubt, countless private citizens, have expressed concern about the direction in which America is headed. Economists target a declining GNP, while cultural critics complain about America's supposed spiritual crisis. Still others despair over the poor state of America's educational system. Are we headed down a path of serious decline?Hailed by bestselling author William J. Bennett as a thoughtful, compelling piece of work and a great read, The State of Americans is the first book to present a comprehensive overview of American social trends by linking together a wide range of social and economic conditions. Its authors argue that it is impossible to determine where America is headed unless we consider such factors as family structure and social attitudes, and also how these important factors influence one another. It is only through our understanding of these interrelationships that we can determine whether the nation is prospering or declining -- and what the future holds for the next generation.