Stars, stripes and shrugs
American pride is flagging. Women and younger people show the greatest declines in
America is turning 250 with a little less chest-thumping than usual, a Gallup poll shows. Only 33% of U.S. adults say they are "extremely proud" to be American—the lowest mark since Gallup started asking in 2001.
Why it matters: The slide reflects the political climate more than anything else. The chasm between Republicans and Democrats on national pride makes that clear. But it's the discontented independents who are the real story—as swing voters, their lack of enthusiasm could signal something about November elections.
The details: Gallup has tracked this question since January 2001. The results from this year's survey dropped Monday.
By the numbers:
- The 33% figure is down eight points from last year—tied for the biggest single-year drop in the poll's history, matching the 2004-to-2005 decline.
- 70% of Republicans say they are extremely proud, compared with 28% of independents and 14% of Democrats.
The gender gap: Women drove the steeper drop. Just 26% now say they are extremely proud to be American, down 13 points from last year. Men are essentially unchanged at 42%.
The age gap: Younger adults remain the least likely to wave the rhetorical flag. Only 14% of Americans ages 18 to 34 say they're extremely proud—down 10 points from a year ago.
The bottom line: American pride has been sliding for two decades. But the country is in its 250th birthday year with a decline feeling less like a slow leak and more like somebody found the valve.
