America has long had a reputation for being an optimistic, aspirational nation. If you spend much time online or consuming mass media, you might think that’s over—that Americans are deeply pessimistic about their country and feel powerless to change it.
Think again. I would like to share some encouraging findings about American attitudes that the Archbridge Institute has documented over the past year in nationally representative surveys. While many Americans are still pessimistic about difficult challenges in their lives, their attitudes overall are hopeful and appreciative.
Start with the American dream. We are told it is dead, that Americans have lost faith in the possibility of achieving their aspirations. Our data tell a different story. About 70% of Americans believe they have achieved or are on their way to achieving the American dream. What people say they value most about the dream is also telling. It isn’t wealth. Freedom of choice in how to live (83%) and having a good family life (80%) top the list.
Only 15% say becoming wealthy is essential to achieving the dream. Contrary to narratives of declining opportunity, just 23% of Americans believe they have less opportunity than their parents did. Today’s negative narrative around the feasibility of the American dream doesn’t match what most Americans believe about their own lives and prospects.
We regularly see claims that Americans no longer believe their nation is a positive force in the world. But we found that most Americans view the U.S. as a key driver of global progress. Three-fourths or more agree that America’s global leadership (75%), cultural emphasis on optimism and possibility (76%) and business achievements (78%) have been crucial for advancing positive change.
Continue reading at The Wall Street Journal.
Clay Routledge, PhD, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Archbridge Institute, where he also leads the institute’s Human Flourishing Lab. As a thought leader in existential psychology and human motivation, Clay translates research into practical insights that help people reach their full potential, build meaningful lives, and advance human progress and flourishing. Dr. Routledge received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is co-editor of Profectus Magazine, an online publication dedicated to human progress and flourishing. He writes the weekly newsletter "Flourishing Friday."
Culture of Flourishing
America has long had a reputation for being an optimistic, aspirational nation. If you spend much time online or consuming mass media, you might think that’s over—that Americans are deeply pessimistic about their country and feel powerless to change it.
Think again. I would like to share some encouraging findings about American attitudes that the Archbridge Institute has documented over the past year in nationally representative surveys. While many Americans are still pessimistic about difficult challenges in their lives, their attitudes overall are hopeful and appreciative.
Start with the American dream. We are told it is dead, that Americans have lost faith in the possibility of achieving their aspirations. Our data tell a different story. About 70% of Americans believe they have achieved or are on their way to achieving the American dream. What people say they value most about the dream is also telling. It isn’t wealth. Freedom of choice in how to live (83%) and having a good family life (80%) top the list.
Only 15% say becoming wealthy is essential to achieving the dream. Contrary to narratives of declining opportunity, just 23% of Americans believe they have less opportunity than their parents did. Today’s negative narrative around the feasibility of the American dream doesn’t match what most Americans believe about their own lives and prospects.
We regularly see claims that Americans no longer believe their nation is a positive force in the world. But we found that most Americans view the U.S. as a key driver of global progress. Three-fourths or more agree that America’s global leadership (75%), cultural emphasis on optimism and possibility (76%) and business achievements (78%) have been crucial for advancing positive change.
Continue reading at The Wall Street Journal.
Clay Routledge
Clay Routledge, PhD, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Archbridge Institute, where he also leads the institute’s Human Flourishing Lab. As a thought leader in existential psychology and human motivation, Clay translates research into practical insights that help people reach their full potential, build meaningful lives, and advance human progress and flourishing. Dr. Routledge received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is co-editor of Profectus Magazine, an online publication dedicated to human progress and flourishing. He writes the weekly newsletter "Flourishing Friday."
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