In May, the Public Agenda Foundation in New York marked its 50th anniversary. The organization, founded in 1975 by social scientist Daniel Yankelovich and former Foreign Minister Cyrus Vance, wanted to reinforce the voices of ordinary Americans. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, researchers designed a series of research designed to do just that.
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, one of these impressive research is worth a deeper look. The 1998 survey asked parents a series of questions about what the United States was and what children need to be taught about the history and ideals of the US. The research included large excessive samples of black, Spanish and migratory parents. Both the design and the answers reflected not only a realization of the problems faced by the country, but also a deep faith in America’s kindness.
It is difficult to imagine some of the questions that are being asked today. A series of questions asked about a series of circumstances in which a person would be a “bad citizen”. Polls rarely use critical language like these days. A little more than 70% of white, black, Spanish and migrant parents agreed that they would consider a bad citizen if one refused to work with people from a different racial and ethnic background. About 60% of white, Spanish and immigrant parents said that one would be a bad citizen if the person makes a point of never getting up when the national anthem is played. 52% of black parents gave this answer. About 50% of all parents said that someone would be a bad citizen if they are able to vote, but never do it. Parents were equally separated in the political interest- 48% said that a person with no interest in the issues faced by the country would be a bad citizen, while 48% disagreed.
One of the topics of research was the importance of teaching children about American history. More than 70% of each parent group said that society should “actively teach children what it means to be an American”, while about 20% said this was something that is naturally happening as children grow up. At the time of this survey 25 years ago, the majority, 52%, said that parents should take the most responsibility for this, followed by schools at 42%. Of those who responded “parents”, only 15% said that parents did a great or good job. Forty -six percent of those who responded “schools” gave this answer.
About 90% of the full sample of parents said they could give a good answer if their child asked them to explain what the July 4 holidays are celebrating, while 11% said they should seek it first. 65% said they could give a good response to the causes of the civil war (34% said they should look for it). Parents were less confident that they could explain the bill (47% said they could give a good answer) or the reasons for the Cold War (44%).
Seventy -eight percent of the total sample of parents said that children do not appreciate what it means to be an American was a very or somewhat serious problem. Ninety percent said that most people get the freedoms we have for granted. In another question, 55% said that they sometimes consider our freedoms for granted.
There were many echoes in the research of modern concerns. 67% of parents said it was “absolutely necessary” that people could protest or criticize the government without fear of punishment and another 23% replied that it was important but not necessary. Eighty -one percent said it was “absolutely necessary” that the police should follow strict rules on how to collect evidence and deal with people who arrest and another 16% said this was important.
Sixty -five percent said that the US did a mixed job of life to its ideals, while 24% said good job and 10% poor. Immigrant parents were more positive than other parents subgroups that the US did a good job and other questions in the survey were the most positive for America. Black parents were less likely than other parental subgroups to provide positive answers to some of the questions of the study related to their distinct historical experience. However, common values and ideal for all parent groups were more the rule than the exception.
The public agenda entitled this research “a lot to be grateful for”. The July 4 holidays give us a valuable opportunity to remember and celebrate it.
