WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.
How would you define an American? According to a new Purdue University study, more than 94 percent would say that having United States citizenship makes someone “truly American.”
“Most other qualities considered typically American tend to be about behavior, things you can change,” says Dr. Jeremy Straughn, the assistant professor of sociology who conducted the survey on national identity in America.
Issues of culture were more important than race or birth. Besides citizenship, more than 90 percent reported that speaking and writing English well and a willingness to pledge allegiance to the flag are important in defining someone as truly American. Nearly 80 percent thought that serving in the military is important, and 76 percent said that having an education and training also matters.
The study found that, in general, voluntary behaviors are considered more important than qualities that are beyond an individual’s control, like birth or lifetime residence in the United States or being of European descent. These qualities were considered necessary to be truly American by 71 percent and 30 percent, respectively. One exception is religion, Straughn says. When asked if Christian faith makes someone truly American, 54 percent agreed (39 percent did so strongly), but 32 percent strongly disagreed, reflecting a deep division over the role of religion in defining American culture.
Straughn interviewed more than 1,500 adult U.S. citizens between August and January. Conducted by telephone through Purdue’s Social Research Institute, the survey included 120 items.
The survey found that most of the same qualities for being truly American also apply when deciding to grant U.S. citizenship to someone from another country.
