Freedom and Civic Responsibility

I often contemplate the blessings of living in a free society; however this comes with a need to participate in civic duties. Take pride in our communities, vote, help your neighbor, volunteer, and try to assist those in need. Lately I have seen many taking advantage of our freedom, destroy or deface public property and basically try civil disobedience any way that they see fit. What has happened to our standard of living, where have morals and values gone? Why have so many cultures turned towards violence?