Title font – Trebuchet MS, 36pt - flagusa.org · 2 Online surveys conducted 10/23–10/29...

November, 2018

Patriotism Study

Prepared For FLAG

2

Online surveys

conducted

10/23– 10/29

Interview Length

7 minutes

Research Objectives – Why Research was Conducted

The survey was conducted to reach the following topical goals:

1. Are younger Americans less patriotic than older Americans? Do they harbor more negative views about America than their parents and grandparents?

2. What knowledge gaps do Americans have about basic American historical information?

3. Do Americans see college as a measure of success?

Research Methodology – How We Designed the

Research

A sample of 1,078 Americans were contacted, including 100 Americans ages 14-17 and 107 Americans

age 18-21. Responses were balanced for generation, gender, and census regions.

Methodology

3

Could there be a crisis?

Is American Patriotism at risk?

Are American rights in jeopardy?

Will we forget our American history?

Will we lose our entrepreneurial spirit?

Fading American Spirit

Younger Americans are becoming unmoored from the institutions, knowledge, and the American spirit that keeps America great. Americans ages 14-37 are less likely to consider themselves American patriots, less likely to aspire to entrepreneurship, and less aware of the inalienable rights enshrined in the Constitution.

We found a less patriotic generation, as younger Americans are half as likely to consider themselves American patriots, half as likely to think America has a history to be proud of, and three-quarters as likely to feel America is and will remain great. Pride in being an American is low for Gen Z, but especially low for Millennials, only 72 percent of whom are proud to be an American.

We found a generation with less faith In Americans’ Rights, as younger Americans are less convinced that Americans should have the right to own guns. Additionally, these young Americans are less likely to know the rights enumerated in the amendments of the bill of rights, including the rights of the 1st through 5th

Amendment.

We found a generation less familiar with American History, as younger Americans are about half as likely to know which presidents are on Mount Rushmore, and more likely to think Barack Obama has had a greater impact than George Washington compared to older generations.

We found a less entrepreneurial generation, as younger Americans are less convinced America should be a capitalist nation, with only about half of Gen Z and Millennials agreeing that the nation should be driven by capitalism, and a little more than half preferring to be an entrepreneur to a college graduate compared to at least 65 percent for Gen X and older.

Younger Americans are a prime audience for FLAG’s mission of education on American history in order to preserve the spirit of American greatness, and FLAG’s mission is more important than ever.

4

“3 in 10 Americans don’t

consider themselves to

be an American Patriot”

Key Statistics

“4 in 10 Americans think

that America will not be

a great country in the

future”

“1 in 3 Americans think

it’s okay to burn the

American flag.”


think the public display

of a tattered American

flag is disrespectful”

“Only 1 in 6 Americans

could identify the

rights that are

protected by the

first amendment”

“2 in 3 Americans under

the age of 37 think

America is headed in

the wrong direction”


think Patriotism is a good

thing”

“1 in 10 Americans

admitted that they

didn’t know anything

about the Bill of Rights”


think America is a

great country today”

5

Survey Results

A detailed look at the story of American Patriotism in decline

6

Patriotism, or lack thereof?

State of the Country

• Half of Americans agree that America is both a racist and sexist country

• Nearly half of younger Americans (under 37) disagree that America is the greatest country in the world

• Nearly 6 in 10 Americans disagree that America is headed in the right direction

• 4 in 10 younger Americans (under 37) disagree that America has a history that we should be proud of

State of the Flag

• 2 in 10 Millennials see the American flag as a sign of intolerance and hatred, and 4 in 10 believe it is ok to burn the

American flag

• 3 in 10 Americans disagree with the statement I enjoy seeing the American flag displayed in my community on

Independence Day

• 1 in 2 Americans disagree that displaying a tattered or worn flag is disrespectful

• Over half of Americans disagree with the statement people should always salute the American flag at a sporting

event

7

Some Americans Lack Patriotism

Which of the following statements about the American flag do you agree with? (Select one per row)

How They Feel About Patriotism

While most Americans enjoy seeing the flag displayed, 1 in 8 are opposed to seeing it and 2 in 5 don’t think Americans should always salute the flag.

4%

9%

15%

50%

44%

60%

8%

26%

27%

21%

43%

29%

35%

42%

30%

18%

10%

8%

53%

24%

29%

11%

3%

3%

I enjoy seeing the American flag displayed in my community on IndependenceDay (July 4th)

Publicly displaying tattered or worn American flags is disrespectful

People should always salute the American flag at a sporting event

It is ok to burn the American flag

I think poorly of my neighbors who do not fly an American flag

I believe the American flag is a sign of intolerance and hatred

Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

8

Americans Do Not Necessarily Feel American Greatness

Which of the following statements about America do you agree with? (Select one per row)

Their Views Of America And American Patriotism

Nearly half of Americans think America is a racist or sexist country.

3%

3%

4%

9%

7%

7%

11%

12%

21%

23%

23%

27%

14%

14%

17%

15%

21%

22%

23%

26%

29%

28%

33%

35%

44%

36%

41%

38%

41%

38%

33%

43%

35%

35%

26%

29%

39%

46%

38%

38%

31%

33%

34%

20%

15%

14%

18%

9%

Patriotism is a good thing

I am proud to be an American

The world is safer when America is strongest

Citizens should be allowed to own guns

America has a history that we should be proud of

I consider myself to be an American Patriot

America is the greatest country in the world

I'm confident I could start my own business

America is a sexist country

America is a racist country

America is headed in the right direction

America is more racist than other countries


9

Serious Knowledge Gap State of American History Knowledge

• 8 in 10 of Americans failed the FLAG’s American Patriotic History Quiz

• Less than 1 in 4 Americans know who authored the Federalist Papers

• 8 in 10 Americans cannot name the 5 freedoms guaranteed under the 1st amendment

• 6 in 10 younger Americans (under 37) did not know who was on Mt. Rushmore

• Less than half of respondents knew how many amendments were in the bill of rights, and that number dips

to 2 out of 5 for Millennials

• The number of people who could correctly identify the 5 freedoms protected under the first amendment was

also very low

• When asked about the first 5 amendments, respondents were clear on the first two, but fell to a little over

half of all respondents knowing the rights of amendments 3, 4, and 5

10

Overall American History Awareness

*Based on 5 questions

Can They Pass A Quiz On Basic American Knowledge?

Only 1 in 6 Americans can pass FLAG’s American Patriotic History Quiz.

Pass (More Than 3

Correct), 17%

Fail (Less Than 3 Correct), 83%

11

Elements Of The American History Quiz

How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?

Which of the following men were the authors of the Federalist Papers?

Which of the following men are featured on Mount Rushmore?

Which of the following are the rights protected in the First Amendment?

For each of the following Amendments to the Constitution, please drag into each bucket the correct rights associated with each Amendment.

Which Elements Of American History Are They Familiar With?

Americans are more aware of who is on Mount Rushmore than all five rights in the First Amendment.

85%

81%

54%

59%

55%

15%

19%

46%

41%

45%

1st Amendment

2nd Amendment

3rd Amendment

4th Amendment

5th Amendment

Correctly Sorting Rights Of The First Five Amendments

45%

23%16%

56%

Amendments In Bill Of Rights Authors Of Federalist Papers First Amendment Rights Figures On Mount Rushmore

When Are They Correct?

12

What’s the deal with Millennials? Attitudes of the Youth Generation

• Millennials lack patriotism in that nearly 1 in 5 Millennials see the American flag as a sign of

intolerance and hatred

• 4 in 10 Millennials believe it is ok to burn the American flag

• 1 in 2 Millennials state that America will not be great in the future, and across all generations

Millennials have the lowest level of agreement with the statement “I’m proud to be an

American.”

• Millennials are the generation most likely to believe America is racist and sexist

13

49%

71%

81%

89%93% 94%

Consider myself an American patriot Patriotism is a good thing Proud to be American

Patriotic Feelings

Young Gen Z Older Gen Z Millennials Gen X Boomers Silent

-13%-22%-40%Difference From

Young Gen Z To Silent

Lacking Patriotic Conviction…Younger respondents identify less as patriotic Americans.

14

48%51%

54%

66%64%

86%

94%92%

America was, is, and will be great America is greatest country is theworld

America has a history to be proud of World is safer when America isstrongest

American Greatness


-16% -35% -40% -26%

Underestimating American Greatness…Younger respondents are more likely to think negatively of America’s history and place in the

world.

Difference From


15

51%

62%66%

69%

34%

89%

George Washington has had more impact thanBarack Obama

Approve of kneeling athletes Citizens should be allowed to own guns

Ideas And Beliefs


28%

-18% -23%

Different Values…Younger respondents have different values on guns and kneeling athletes than older

generations.

Difference From


16

55%

23%

35%

14%

33%

13%

43%

17%

64%

16%

38%

17%

Bill of Rights Federalist Papers Mount Rushmore First Amendment Five Amendments Pass FLAG’s American Patriotic

History Quiz

American History Knowledge


Less Aware…Younger Americans are less aware of some basic facts about America and American history.

12% 6% -29% 2% -4% -4%Difference From


17

50%54% 54%

83%

76%79%

America should be driven by capitalism Rather be an entrepreneur than a college graduate Confident I can start my own business

EntrepreneurshipYoung Gen Z Older Gen Z Millennials Gen X Boomers Silent

-33% -22% -25%

Less Entrepreneurial…Younger respondents are less sure of their ability to be entrepreneurs and less convinced

capitalism is the right way forward.

Difference From


18

College in Question?A State of Success

• 4 in 5 Americans think the rapid recent developments in technology have made it easier today to be entrepreneur

than it was 30 years ago

• 4 in 10 Americans don’t think a college degree is important to achieving their personal goal

• Americans are three times more likely to think inventing something or starting a business is a very good measure

of success in comparison to getting a college degree

• Nearly half of Americans do not think college is worth the expense

• People see being a successful entrepreneur as a greater measure of success than being a successful college

graduate

• In fact, more than 1 in 3 Millennial and Gen X Americans think college is a poor measure of value

• While young people are still sold on the idea of college, many older people state that a college degree isn’t

essential to them achieving their personal goals

• However, 1 in 5 younger Americans think college is interfering with their ability to seize the American dream

• More than 1 in 3 older Americans think a college degree was more valuable 30 years ago than it is today

19

Entrepreneurship and College

Which of the following statements about college do you agree with? (Select one per row)

Their Views On College and Entrepreneurship

1 in 3 Americans think it was more important to get a college degree 30 years ago than it is today.

3%

7%

11%

11%

17%

19%

30%

32%

35%

48%

59%

41%

35%

33%

25%

20%

22%

22%

21%

10%

The recent rapid development of technology makes it easier to be anentrepreneur now than it was 30 years ago

I'd rather be a successful entrepreneur than a successful college graduate

A college degree is essential to achieving my personal goals

It is more important to get a college degree now than it was 30 years ago

It was more important to get a college degree 30 years ago than it is now


20

Expense Of College Vs Value

Do you believe the expense of a college degree worth it in the long run?

Do They Think College Is Worth The Expense?

Nearly half of Americans don’t think college is worth the expense.

Yes56%

No44%

21

Measures Of Success

Do you think that having a college degree is a good measure of determining whether or not they are

successful?

Do you think that having started their own business or inventing something is a good measure of determining

whether or not they are successful?

Do They Think A College Degree/Business Is A Good Measure Of Success?

Americans think starting their own business is a better measure of success than a college degree. 3 in 10 Americans think finishing college is a bad measure of success.

8%2%

22%

10%

58%

61%

11%

26%

Finish College Start a Business

Very good measure

Somewhat good measure

Somewhat bad measure

Very bad measure

Measurement

of Success

22

Appendix Detailed Findings

Comprehensive insights including generational comparisons

23

American Flag in Crisis:

• Millennials are two times more likely than Baby Boomers to say that it’s okay to burn the American flag

• 1 in 10 Americans don’t enjoy seeing the American flag on Independence Day

• 4 in 10 Americans don’t think people should salute the American flag at a sporting event

• Of all age groups Millennials are the least likely to say that people should salute the American flag at sporting events

Patriotism in Crisis:

• 1 in 6 Americans are not proud to be American

• 1 in 4 Americans don’t think America has a history it should be proud of

• Half of Americans think America is a sexist country, they also think it’s a racist country

• 6 in 10 Americans think America is more racist than other countries

• 1 in 10 Americans think the American flag is a sign of intolerance and hatred

• More than half of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction

• 1 in 5 Americans don’t think the world is safe when America is strong

• 4 in 10 Americans think Americas future should be driven by Socialism

Knowledge in Crisis:

• 8 in 10 Americans failed FLAG’s American Patriotic History Quiz; which surveyed knowledge areas around the Bill of Rights, Freedoms awarded

by the amendments, Mount Rushmore, and authors of the Federalist Papers

• Baby Boomers are 50% more likely to pass FLAG’s American Patriotic History Quiz than Generation Z

• Millennials were the most likely age group to get all the questions in FLAG’s American Patriotic History Quiz wrong with more than 1 in 3 failing

to notch a single correct answer

• Less than half of Americans could identify how many amendments are in the Bill of Rights

• When asked what Presidents are on Mount Rushmore 1 in 10 admitted that they don’t know anything about Mount Rushmore

• 3 in 10 Americans don’t know anything about the Federalist Papers

Additional Potential Headlines

24

Generations at Odds:

• The likelihood of an American consider themselves a Patriot declines the younger someone is with 9 in 10 Silent generation claiming to a

Patriot compared to only 5 in 10 Generation Z. The same trend is seen with the belief that “America is the greatest country in the world” and

that “America has a history to be proud of”

• Baby boomers are more concerned about displaying a tattered American flag than Generation Z or Millennials

• Half of all Generation Z and Millennials feel that American is not going to be great country in the future, compared to only one third of Baby

Boomer

• Half of all Generation Z’s think Barack Obama had more impact on America than George Washington

• Generation Z and Millennials are 50% more likely than Baby Boomers to say Americans Future should be driven by Socialism

• Millennials are the most likely generation to say America is sexist and racist with 6 in 10 agreeing with each statement

• Half of Generation Z and Millennials think America is more racist than other countries, compared to only 1 in 3 Baby Boomers

• Baby Boomers are nearly two times more likely to be able to name the faces on Mount Rushmore compared to that of Generation Z and

Millennials

• Younger Americans (under the age of 37) were more likely to claim that they didn’t know anything about the Federalist Papers (1 in 3)

compared to that of Generation X or Baby Boomers (1 in 4)

• Millennials were the least likely generation to correctly identify the number of amendments in the Bill of Rights with only 4 in 10 claiming that

there are 10 amendments. In addition, they were the most likely to admit that they didn’t know anything about the Bill of Rights (1 in 5)

Generational Storylines

25

Patriotism Appendix

26

Millennials Lack Patriotism

Q1. Which of the following statements about the American flag do you agree with? (Select one per row)

How They Feel About Patriotism

While most Americans enjoy seeing the flag displayed, 1 in 5 Millennials are against it and 1 in 5 Millennials think the American flag is a sign of intolerance and hatred.

4%

9%

15%

50%

44%

60%

8%

26%

27%

21%

43%

29%

35%

42%

30%

18%

10%

8%

53%

24%

29%

11%

3%

3%

I enjoy seeing the American flag displayed in mycommunity on Independence Day (July 4th)

Publicly displaying tattered or worn American flags isdisrespectful

People should always salute the American flag at asporting event

It is ok to burn the American flag

I think poorly of my neighbors who do not fly anAmerican flag

I believe the American flag is a sign of intolerance andhatred


Younger

Gen Z

(14-17)

Older

Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

88% 87% 79% 89% 94% 94%

55% 54% 54% 69% 78% 84%

67% 60% 47% 60% 60% 72%

19% 22% 42% 29% 22% 28%

13% 19% 14% 12% 10% 16%

13% 17% 19% 9% 3% 5%

Summary: Agree

27

Younger Americans Have Less Positive Views Of America

Q5. Which of the following statements about America do you agree with? (Select one per row)

Their Views Of America And American Patriotism

Younger generations think America is more racist and sexist. Additionally, they are less likely to see themselves as patriots or view America as the greatest country in the world.

3%

3%

4%

9%

7%

7%

11%

12%

21%

23%

23%

27%

14%

14%

17%

15%

21%

22%

23%

26%

29%

28%

33%

35%

44%

36%

41%

38%

41%

38%

33%

43%

35%

35%

26%

29%

39%

46%

38%

38%

31%

33%

34%

20%

15%

14%

18%

9%

Patriotism is a good thing

I am proud to be an American

The world is safer when America is strongest

Citizens should be allowed to own guns

America has a history that we should be proud of

I consider myself to be an American Patriot

America is the greatest country in the world

I'm confident I could start my own business

America is a sexist country

America is a racist country

America is headed in the right direction

America is more racist than other countries


Younger

Gen Z

(14-17)

Older

Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

71% 73% 78% 85% 92% 93%

81% 80% 72% 83% 92% 94%

66% 71% 68% 81% 93% 92%

66% 64% 69% 81% 83% 89%

54% 61% 65% 72% 85% 94%

49% 59% 62% 75% 87% 89%

51% 57% 54% 69% 81% 86%

54% 64% 56% 62% 67% 79%

49% 51% 60% 48% 46% 36%

44% 54% 63% 48% 42% 31%

33% 38% 38% 48% 46% 59%

40% 50% 46% 38% 29% 23%

Summary: Agree

28

America Is Great

Q2. Which of the following best describes your views towards America?

Do They Think America Is And Will Remain Great?

Younger respondents are less likely to think America is or will remain a great country.

7%

16%

19%

58%

Total

America was a great country, is a greatcountry, and will continue to be a greatcountry

America was a great country, is a greatcountry, but probably wont be a great countryin the future

America was a great country, but isn't nowand probably wont be in the future

America was never a great country and itnever will be

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

48% 49% 53% 60% 70% 64%

26% 23% 17% 19% 12% 24%

19% 19% 16% 16% 17% 11%

7% 9% 14% 6% 0% -

29

Recency Bias Among The Young

Q3. Which president has had a bigger impact on the country we live in today?

Do They Think George Washington Or Barack Obama Has Had A Bigger Impact?

Older Americans are more likely to think George Washington has had a bigger impact on the country we live in today compared to Barack Obama, in contrast to younger Americans.

George Washington

61%

Barack Obama

39%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

51% 45% 63% 64% 64% 69%

49% 55% 37% 36% 36% 31%

30

Approval Of Kneeling Athletes

Q17. Do you approve of professional athletes kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem?

Do They Approve Of Kneeling Athletes?

Younger Americans approve of athletes kneeling during the national anthem, while older generations disapprove.

Yes52%

No48%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

62% 61% 66% 47% 43% 34%

38% 39% 34% 53% 57% 66%

31

American History Quiz Appendix

32

Overall American History Awareness

*Based on 5 questions

Can They Pass A Quiz On Basic American Knowledge?

Only 1 in 6 Americans can pass a quiz on basic knowledge of American history.

Pass (More Than 3

Correct)17%

Fail (Less Than 3

Correct)83%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

13% 14% 19% 17% 19% 17%

87% 86% 81% 83% 81% 83%

33

Amendments In The Bill Of Rights

Q7. How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?

Are They Right About The Number Of Amendments In The Bill Of Rights?

Less than half of Americans know how many amendments are in the bill of rights, although Generation Z are more likely to know than their older counterparts.

Correct45%

Incorrect55%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

55% 49% 41% 46% 44% 43%

45% 51% 59% 54% 56% 57%

34

Constitutional Ratification

Q8. What year was the U.S. Constitution ratified?

Do They Know When The Constitution Was Ratified?

Only 1 in 5 Americans know when the Constitution was ratified, although younger Americans are more aware of when it was ratified than older Americans.

Correct18%

Incorrect82%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

25% 20% 17% 18% 17% 13%

75% 80% 83% 82% 83% 87%

35

Authors Of The Federalist Papers

Q9. Which of the following men were the authors of the Federalist Papers? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

Do They Know The Authors Of The Federalist Papers?

About 1 in 5 Americans know who the authors of the Federalist Papers were.

Correct23%

Incorrect77%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

23% 23% 18% 24% 27% 17%

77% 77% 82% 76% 73% 83%

36

Who Is On Mount Rushmore

Q10. Which of the following men are featured on Mount Rushmore? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

Do They Know Who Is On Mount Rushmore?

5 in 9 Americans know who is on Mount Rushmore, although awareness is higher among older generations.

Correct56%

Incorrect44%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

35% 39% 46% 63% 71% 64%

65% 61% 54% 37% 29% 36%

37

Rights Of The First Amendment

Q11. Which of the following are the rights protected in the First Amendment? (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

Do They Know The Rights Enumerated In The First Amendment?

Only 1 in 6 Americans know the specific rights enumerated in the First Amendment.

Correct16%

Incorrect84%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

14% 11% 19% 16% 17% 16%

86% 89% 81% 84% 83% 84%

38

Rights In The First Five Amendments

Q12. For each of the following Amendments to the Constitution, please drag into each bucket the correct

rights associated with each Amendment.

Do They Know The Rights In The First Five Amendments?

Americans are most aware of the rights in the 1st and 2nd amendment, but awareness of the rights of other amendments is significantly lower.

85%

81%

54%

59%

55%

15%

19%

46%

41%

45%

1st Amendment

2nd Amendment

3rd Amendment

4th Amendment

5th Amendment

Correct Incorrect

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

74% 79% 82% 86% 94% 91%

68% 74% 77% 80% 90% 89%

48% 48% 53% 56% 64% 44%

39% 51% 54% 59% 73% 66%

52% 53% 52% 56% 63% 47%

Summary: Correct

39

College/Entrepreneurship Appendix

40

Young People More Open To Socialism

Q4. Do you think America’s future should be driven more by the principles of Capitalism or Socialism?

Should America’s Future Be Driven By Capitalism Or Socialism?

Younger generations are more likely to think America’s future should be driven by the principles of socialism than older generations, including almost half of those 37 and younger.

Capitalism, 61%

Socialism, 39%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

50% 53% 53% 61% 70% 83%

50% 47% 47% 39% 30% 17%

41

Young People More Sold On College

Q6. Which of the following statements about college do you agree with? (Select one per row)

Their Views On College

Younger Americans place a higher value on being a college graduate than older Americans, and are more likely to say being a successful college graduate is less important than being a successful entrepreneur.

3%

7%

11%

11%

17%

19%

30%

32%

35%

48%

59%

41%

35%

33%

25%

20%

22%

22%

21%

10%

The recent rapid development of technology makes iteasier to be an entrepreneur now than it was 30 years

ago

I'd rather be a successful entrepreneur than asuccessful college graduate

A college degree is essential to achieving my personalgoals

It is more important to get a college degree now thanit was 30 years ago

It was more important to get a college degree 30years ago than it is now


Younger

Gen Z

(14-17)

Older

Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

79% 75% 80% 74% 81% 82%

54% 56% 57% 65% 68% 76%

66% 75% 63% 51% 49% 49%

50% 67% 57% 48% 52% 51%

37% 21% 30% 39% 36% 41%

Summary: Agree

42

College And The American Dream

Q13. Going to college – does it help you achieve the American dream or interfere with your ability to seize

the American dream?

Do They Think College Supports The American Dream?

Younger generations are more likely to think going to college interferes with the American dream compared to older Generations, although all generations think going to college helps achieve the American dream.

Help achieve the

American dream, 84%

Interfere with the ability to

seize the American

dream, 16%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

78% 80% 79% 84% 90% 89%

22% 20% 21% 16% 10% 11%

43

Expense Of College Vs Value

Q14. Do you believe the expense of a college degree worth it in the long run?

Do They Think College Is Worth The Expense?

Despite being more likely to think college interferes with the American dream, Gen Z are more likely to think college is worth the expense, although Millennials disagree, comparatively.

Yes, 56%

No, 44%

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

64% 61% 53% 51% 59% 56%

36% 39% 47% 49% 41% 44%

44

College Degree As A Measure Of Success

Q15. Do you think that having a college degree is a good measure of determining whether or not they are

successful?

Do They Think A College Degree Is A Good Measure Of Success?

Millennials and Gen X place the least value on a college degree as a measure of success, although more than 6 in 10 think it is a good measure.

8%

22%

58%

11%

Total

Very good measure



Very bad measure

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

14% 22% 11% 10% 8% 6%

59% 52% 54% 54% 65% 69%

17% 18% 26% 26% 22% 13%

10% 7% 8% 10% 5% 13%

Summary: Good Measure

Measurement of

Success

45

Starting A Business As A Measure Of Success

Q16. Do you think that having started their own business or inventing something is a good measure of

determining whether or not they are successful?

Is Starting A Business A Measure Of Success?

More Americans think starting a business is a good measure of success than think going to college is a good measure of success.

Younger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

(100) (107) (266) (277) (241) (87)

36% 26% 18% 30% 26% 31%

41% 64% 62% 60% 68% 62%

16% 8% 17% 8% 6% 6%

7% 2% 3% 3% - 1%

10%

61%

26%

Total

Very good measure



Very bad measure

Summary: Good Measure

Measurement of

Success

46

Demographics

47

TotalYounger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

Region 1078 100 107 266 277 241 87

Northeast 19% 8% 12% 24% 22% 18% 17%

Midwest 23% 25% 25% 20% 23% 23% 24%

South 36% 51% 51% 27% 30% 40% 32%

West 23% 16% 11% 30% 25% 19% 26%

Generation

Younger Gen Z (14-17) 9% 100% - - - - -

Older Gen Z (18-21) 10% - 100% - - - -

Millennial (22-37) 25% - - 100% - - -

Gen X (38-53) 26% - - - 100% - -

Boomer (54-72) 22% - - - - 100% -

Silent (73+) 8% - - - - - 100%

Gender

Male 47% 42% 36% 49% 48% 44% 71%

Female 53% 58% 64% 52% 52% 56% 29%

Parent/Guardian

Yes 26% 7% 14% 42% 49% 6% 1%

No 74% 93% 86% 58% 51% 94% 99%

48

TotalYounger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

Education 1078 100 107 266 277 241 87

HS Or Less 20% - 54% 15% 16% 15% 22%

Some College 31% - 46% 25% 30% 32% 31%

4-Year Degree 30% - - 39% 35% 28% 26%

Post-Grad 19% - - 20% 19% 24% 21%

Income

Less than $25,000 19% 34% 29% 21% 16% 13% 13%

$25,000 - $49,999 19% 8% 22% 21% 18% 19% 22%

$50,000 - $79,999 21% 13% 20% 25% 22% 17% 22%

$80,000 or more 27% 22% 20% 22% 33% 36% 18%

Prefer not to say 14% 23% 9% 11% 12% 15% 25%

Race

White 76% 52% 53% 74% 79% 89% 91%

Black 8% 21% 19% 5% 7% 3% 5%

Hispanic 8% 18% 17% 10% 5% 5% 1%

Asian 3% 4% 5% 5% 3% 1% 1%

Other 5% 5% 7% 6% 6% 3% 2%

49

TotalYounger Gen Z

(14-17)

Older Gen Z

(18-21)

Millennial

(22-37)

Gen X

(38-53)

Boomer

(54-72)

Silent

(73+)

Area 1078 100 107 266 277 241 87

Rural 27% 27% 21% 23% 25% 33% 33%

Suburban 50% 55% 53% 45% 51% 50% 47%

Urban 24% 18% 26% 33% 24% 17% 20%

Political Affiliation

Democrat 32% - 36% 36% 30% 33% 16%

Republican 25% - 22% 20% 25% 30% 33%

Independent 30% - 21% 26% 34% 30% 43%

Other 5% - 3% 4% 7% 4% 7%

Not Sure 8% - 18% 13% 5% 3% 1%

Registered To Vote

Yes 84% - 66% 78% 84% 95% 95%

No 14% - 29% 19% 14% 4% 3%

Not Sure 2% - 5% 3% 2% 0% 1%

Title font – Trebuchet MS, 36pt - flagusa.org · 2 Online surveys conducted 10/23–10/29...

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Transcript of Title font – Trebuchet MS, 36pt - flagusa.org · 2 Online surveys conducted 10/23–10/29...