As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, America’s rising generation is grappling with a profound sense of estrangement from traditional national pride. Rather than embracing uncritical flag-waving, young Americans view the present state of the union with deep skepticism—even while carving out enduring grounds for optimism rooted in community action, mutual care, and inclusive democratic values.

Those findings emerge from the fifth annual poll released Tuesday by American University’s Sine Institute of Policy and Politics, conducted in partnership with the Generation Lab, Future Caucus, and the Close Up Foundation. 

Nineteen AU students worked directly alongside veteran pollsters and researchers to help shape the survey, writing questions, evaluating the methodology, and framing priorities that directly touch the day-to-day realities of their peers.

The national survey of 1,031 young adults ages 18–34 reveals that while many Zoomers and Millennials express pride in foundational historical milestones such as the Declaration of Independence and the civil rights movement, that goodwill collapses when confronting modern-day America.

Large majorities say they do not feel proud of the country as it exists today—a sentiment that cuts particularly deep among young women (80 percent), Hispanic adults (80 percent), and Democrats (85 percent). When asked to choose a single word to describe the United States today, respondents overwhelmingly bypassed patriotic tropes, pointing instead to descriptors like “broken,” “divided,” “chaotic,” and “corrupt.”

This discontent extends into personal identity. 

Being an American ranks far behind core personal values, family, friends, and career paths in how young adults define themselves. Nearly one in four respondents (24 percent) report that being an American is “not important at all” to their identity. 

Young people are also challenging long-standing notions of “American exceptionalism,” with pluralities asserting that the US is merely “about as good” as other peer nations rather than superior. Looking to what lies ahead, a majority believe the nation’s best years are behind it, and roughly half warn the country is actively splitting apart.

Yet behind the sobering headlines, the survey reveals a resilient undercurrent of generational hope centered on day-to-day values and shared responsibility.

“Young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow—they are shaping America today,” said Amy K. Dacey, SPA/MA ’95, executive director of the Sine Institute. “Their voices, experiences and aspirations offer an essential perspective on where our country stands and where it is headed. This poll gives young Americans the opportunity to define their own generation, share how they see the future of our country, and speak to the ways they are already participating in civic life and caring for the people around them. By listening to young people on their own terms, we gain a fuller picture of the America they are experiencing and the America they want to build.”

That generational vision is quietly redefining what citizenship means. When asked what makes them feel most proud to be American, respondents overwhelmingly identified two pillars: diversity and individual freedom. 

Broad consensus crossed racial, gender, and political boundaries around the most critical attributes of being an American. Treating all people fairly and equally, maintaining respect in the face of sharp disagreement, and acting with honesty far outranked traditional markers such as flying the flag, speaking English, or religious observance.

“Young people are navigating a rapidly changing America while carrying responsibilities that often extend far beyond themselves,” said Molly O’Rourke, Sine Institute senior advisor and executive in residence in the School of Communication. “Their views on the state of our country, their hopes and concerns for the future, and the ways they participate in civic life tell an important story about this generation. This research helps bring those perspectives to the forefront and reminds us that young Americans are not a monolith—they have distinct experiences, priorities and visions for what comes next.”

Optimism also shines through in how young people assess their own collective impact. A plurality believe their generation has made the country better rather than worse, naming equality, justice, affordability, and civil dialogue as their greatest hopes for the future.

That commitment is already playing out on the ground. More than one in three young adults (34 percent) report serving as regular caregivers for family members or friends coping with health conditions, disabilities, or mental health challenges. 

While half admit they currently lack a supportive community, broad majorities voiced an active desire for more local avenues to connect and get involved. When rating visual representations of patriotism, participants gave the highest scores to images depicting community volunteering, mutual aid, and civic participation—far outpacing military displays, fireworks, or commercial spectacle.

By uniting AU student researchers with national polling expertise, the survey illustrates that while Gen Z and Millennials may be shying away from conventional, top-down patriotism, they are far from indifferent. Instead, they are demanding that the nation live up to its founding promises of equality and opportunity, working to anchor America’s next chapter in everyday mutual care.

Click here for the full survey results.