Just half of those under 35 say that America is special, compared to over 80% of 55 and overs
Less than 1% of the American population is descended from Native Americans. As a nation overwhelmingly composed of people immigrants and their descendants, Americans have built a common narrative around shared ideals and a sense of America's unique position in the world.
Data from YouGov Omnibus shows, however, that these bonds may be weakening. Though a majority of young Americans (51%) say that they think America is a special country, this is much lower than the country as a whole (70%) or 55 and over (83%).
A similar divide can be seen between political parties. When asked whether being American is better or worse than being from other countries, 57% of Americans say that it is better, while 26% say that it is neither better nor worse. Among Democrats, however, 37% say that it is about as good to be American as from somewhere else, compared to only 12% of Republicans.
Asked whether American ideals or the American people are more important, few Americans say the American people (13%). There is an even divide between those who say ideals (37%) and both equally (37%). Democrats and Republicans are no more likely than the other to divide their importance, though Democrats (16%) are twice as likely to choose the American people as being more important than ideals.
