In less than two years, on July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its semiquincentennial, meaning its 250th birthday. The Founding Fathers would be amazed that the “great experiment” has lasted this long.
The secret formula to why this country has been able to stay together through rocky times – such as the Civil War, various foreign wars and even more recessions and depressions – is rooted in American patriotism and citizens standing by their country through uncertainty. However, trends from the last two decades show that this backbone of national faith is starting to disappear, particularly among young people.
In a Gallup poll done in 2004, 91% of participants said they were either extremely or very proud to be an American; however, in 2024, that number dropped to 67%. As noted by former diplomat David Seminara in the National Review, there are many explanations for this drop, ranging from increased crime to people taking the United States. for granted. If the downward trend continues, then by the time we as high school students are in our 30s, that number may hover around the 50th percentile.
Most alarming are the differences in patriotism by age group. As noted by Sareen Habeshian of Axios, the Gallup poll shows that Americans 55 and older were nearly three times more likely to be extremely prideful of their nationality than younger generations. Meanwhile, only 18% of those aged 18-34 said the same, compared to 40% of those aged 35-54 and 50% of those 55 and over. By comparison, in 2013, 85% of those aged 18-29 said they were “extremely” or “very” proud to be an American.
Why does this matter? This generational divide we are witnessing will exacerbate social division in the country because people won’t be as willing to forgo their political qualms with their fellow Americans that they disagree with because they will value less their shared identity of being American. This is an impending crisis that our generation will have to deal with in the coming decades.
One possible argument for people that say that they aren’t proud to be American is because they are ashamed by the way the United States is being run and/or they oppose the laws and rules set in place in the country. However, as President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Patriotism means to stand with the country. It does not mean to stand with the President.”
Roosevelt is completely correct. It is acceptable to criticize the policies of the United States and those who lead it, but it is not fair to shy away from being proud of living in the United States. because of the qualms you have with the current political state of the country. Americans should be grateful for all the freedoms that they are so lucky to have in the United States.
As Jews, we should be especially appreciative of the freedoms provided to us as Americans because of our history of facing constant persecution and restrictions to our freedoms. Therefore, we should be patriotic no matter our political views because we understand that without the freedoms America has given us, we wouldn’t be able to flourish into the community we are today.
As the next generation of voters and citizens, it is up to us to change this trend, and to lead the way in helping all Americans appreciate all the United States has to offer.
Being patriotic doesn’t mean you have to agree with every single thing your country does. Nor does it mean that you need to actively do something to help your country such as serving in the military. It means, as Lee Greenwood put it best in his song “God Bless the U.S.A.,” that you should be proud to be an American because at least you know you’re free.
