Independence Day might not be a time for strong patriotism among the college-educated anymore. A new survey found that college graduates feel less pride about being Americans, which reflects an overall downward trend.
Gallup surveyed American adults as part of an annual survey conducted around the Fouth of July. The survey reported that 47 percent of all American adults said that they describe themselves as “extremely proud” to be American, a decrease from 51 percent in 2017 and a huge drop from the peak of 70 percent in 2003.
The number stayed consistent in the high-50’s range between 2006 and 2013 before starting its slow descent.
This year, just 39 percent of college graduates said that they were “extremely proud” to be American, compared with 52 percent of non-graduates who said they were extremely proud.
The number of graduates who report feeling strong patriotism has consistently been lower than non-graduates: in 2013, 53 percent of graduates said they felt extremely proud against 59 percent of non-graduates. In 2015, 51 percent of graduates said they felt extremely proud, compared with 55 percent of non-graduates. The numbers held steady in 2016 and 2017 at 47 percent and 54 percent, respectively, for both years, according to Gallup.
The survey also broke down divisions between sex, race, and age. In general, older Americans feel more proud, white Americans feel more proud than non-white Americans, and there is little difference between men and women.
Across the board, though, the number of Americans who feel extremely proud to be American has decreased steadily over the past few years.
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