Custom essays on American Patriotism

American patriotism is more based on belief in certain ideals than on a geographic area. For most Americans, the spirit of their country is based on the idea of freedom, democracy and equality, and the American flag symbolizes these values. Many people coming into the country are surprised to find that many families put flags on their homes, at least one American flag. Thirteen stripes on the flag represent the first thirteen colonies and 50 stars represent the 50 states. In the days of national mourning, the flag is half-mast. The American national anthem “TheStarSpangledBanner” is a tribute to the American flag. In many American schools, students begin their day with the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag.
Americans are real patriots of their country. It is even seen in every American movie. However, many people from other countries believe that American patriotism is sometimes beyond, and looks like arrogance, and the exaltation of the nation in relation to other nations of the world. 65% of people surveyed by Gallup in June 2002 stated that they were “incredibly proud” to be Americans, but in January 2001, the same answer was chosen only by 55% of respondents. Most patriots among U.S. residents are aged 50 to 64 years; 94% of them are “very proud” to be citizens of the United States. The fewer patriots are among young people aged 18-29 years – 85%. On the 4th of July, the U.S. Independence Day, 83% of Americans polled by broadcaster CNN, the newspaper USA Today and the service Gallup, “planed to hang the American flag from the window or set it in front of the house” (McKenna 2007).
Nine out of ten Americans feel a sense of pride when the melody of anthem sounds. The most beloved symbols of the United States were named (in order of popularity): the American flag, the Statue of Liberty, the national anthem, the bald eagle (its image is widely used in the formal symbolism, particularly in the U.S. coat of arms), the White House and the song “God Bless America”. These data were got from a study conducted by the sociological “Harris Interactive”.
The study “Narris Interactive”, held in July 2002 showed that “84% of U.S. residents were satisfied with the quality of their lives. In 2001, the same answer was given by 90% of respondents”. 56% of Americans believed that the future of their financial situation was good (Mnsterberg 2009).
Americans respect their coat of arms, their flag, and their anthem. If there happens to be any kind of political conflict, such as the recent dispute as to the war in the Persian Gulf, an American buys a national flag and hangs it out at his house. This means that he supports the government.
Americans are very proud of their country’s solidity. It is not difficult for them; this integrity is not connected with nationalist sentiments prevail. In the U.S. people of dozens nationalities live, but separately. There are Italian areas and districts, but no Italian cities or states. There are a lot of Chinese in San Francisco and in New York, but they don’t have a wish to unite in CAR – Chinese American republic. They do not want, although no one speaks about “the brotherhood of peoples”. The rivalry between the regions is due to the long-standing traditions and laws of the country’s development, but it is another issue. The laws in each state are different: somewhere it is allowed to hunt, and somewhere it is not; somewhere the gambling houses are prohibited; somewhere abortions are permitted and somewhere are allowed. And being proud of its independence, each state even is more proud that it is the part of a great country, proud of its star on its flag.
At the same time, one of the qualities that can be found in Americans is individualism.
Many observers note that the Americans put individual values above the public. Indeed, it is – the truth: many Americans enjoy the privacy and, at times, prefer to be alone than to be in company with someone. Leaving people alone and not asking many personal questions is a sign of respect in American culture.
Americans are known for their patriotism, liberty, materialism, individualism and other features. The history and literature gives a lot of examples of American patriotism. To be proud of your own country is so natural and necessary. And it is great that most Americans are sure that they live in the best place on earth!

References

Baym, Nina. The Norton Anthology of American Literature, Package 1: Volumes A, B. Full and Shorter Seventh Edition. W. W. Norton & Company. 2007.
Bishop, Putnam P. American Patriotism. 2009. pp. 96-97.
Knowles, Frederic Lawrence. Poems of American Patriotism, 1776-1898. 2008. p. 1.
McKenna, George. The Puritan origins of American patriotism. 2007. pp. 211-212.
Mnsterberg, Hugo. American Patriotism: And Other Social Studies. 2009. pp. 34-35.
Van Hoeven, James. Bicentennial studies of the Reformed Church in America. 1976. p. 1.