How to Close the Generational Patriotism Gap

Seymour Martin Lipset famously began one of his courses by proclaiming that, “a person who knows only one country knows no countries.” Lipset believed that only by looking across different societies can one understand what is either distinctive or unique about one’s own. His student, Francis Fukuyama, later noted that this sentiment was “particularly true for Americans, since the United States was such an outlier in comparison to virtually all other developed democracies.” 

This comparative method is on my mind now with the new school year just around the corner.

I know that when I meet my students in a few weeks, it will be the case that an appreciable number of them will not be proud to be American. Sadly, this is part of a well-documented “patriotism gap” between older and younger Americans: Those in Gen Z and Millennials are less likely to say yes to the question of national pride than those born in the decades preceding them. Polling has repeatedly revealed this difference for quite a few years now, and 2023 data from Gallup demonstrates not only general low levels of national pride but also age differences between age groups. Fifty percent of Americans aged 55 and older say they are extremely proud to be American, while 40% of those aged 35 to 54 and just 18% of 18- to 34-year-olds report the same.

Even though my students have grown up in an epoch of government dysfunction, polarization, and numerous socio-political issues that have come to a head in recent years, my tough task will be to explain to them that America is still a beacon of opportunity around the world; we are privileged to be in a nation where ambition is still met with opportunity.

To start, students need to break out of their political and social cocoons to recognize that the United States remains a place where families flock to have better lives. This past week was a great reminder of that. Traveling back to New York, an Uber driver gave me an unexpectedly passionate speech on how he fled Afghanistan with his young children in 2018 searching for safety and a future. He mentioned how he initially made his way to Europe but struggled for social acceptance and work. Since making it over to the northern Virginia area, he is driving to keep his family afloat, knowing that he can work hard to make a better life for himself and his family. He currently drives and is earning a master’s degree as a part-time student. 

I see similar statements being made here in New York, where tens of thousands of migrants look for work, security, and upward mobility; most have fled far worse political situations and places with deep instability. While the nation is certainly imperfect, they all know that there is something special here.

So many immigrants to this country recognize that the American culture remains truly unique. President Reagan beautifully articulated this American feature four decades ago when he stated that “Other countries may seek to compete with us; but in one vital area, as a beacon of freedom and opportunity that draws the people of the world, no country on earth comes close. This, I believe, is one of the most important sources of America’s greatness.”

Despite naysayers, opportunities are vast across the country and upward mobility is alive and well in America. Studies show the vast majority of adults have higher incomes than their parents did. While it “ is better to be born rich, brilliant and beautiful, but poor, ordinary and homely people succeed in America every day.” 

Moreover, America’s social mobility is most visible over multiple generations. Despite some demographics achieving a bit more than others, that should not be interpreted to mean that workers in the middle and toward the bottom have seen stagnant gains. In fact, wages and incomes have been growing over the past three decades. As Michael Strain notes, “America is still characterized by upward mobility. Workers do still enjoy the fruits of their labor in the sense that wage gains are still primarily driven by productivity gains.”

The American Dream is alive and well, and social mobility can be improved by hard work and ambition. Many immigrants trying to reach our shores know this, but many of our college students who have been trapped in social media bubbles regrettably do not. America remains the land of opportunity. It remains possible to better your outcomes if you work hard and play by the rules in the United States. 

Like many immigrants, most older Americans know this, too, and they are both proud and appreciative of this part of our national character. Hopefully, I can help my Gen Z students recognize our uniqueness and be proud of our American virtues too.