"BEING AN AMERICAN Is a Privilege".

• Position: A survey indicates that American parents have a more positive view toward the United States than does the rest of the population, and that they especially treasure the country's freedom and equal opportunity - Brief Article

At a time when rancor and cynicism appear tope dominating the national political scene, white, African-American, Hispanic, and foreign-born parents offer a more positive view of America, according to a survey by the nonpartisan, nonprofit Public Agenda, based in New York. More than nine in 10 foreign-born, white, and Hispanic parents, and more than eight in 10 African-American parents, say the U.S. is a better country than most others. Strong majorities of all groups also think it is unique and stands for something special in the world.

"America's parents convey a deep, yet realistic loyalty to the nation. Theirs is not a knee-jerk patriotism--they readily acknowledge America's imperfections--but those born here, and those not, embrace with pride a common agenda they expect the public schools to teach about what it means to be an American," notes Deborah Wadsworth, executive director of Public Agenda.

America's parents treasure freedom--more than half say it is the first thing that comes to mind when they think about the U.S.--but they also believe that with freedom comes responsibility. For example, 88% of parents overall believe equal opportunity for people regardless of race, religion, or sex is an absolutely essential component of the American ideal. Seventy-six percent feel that what makes the U.S. special is the expectation people will work and earn their living--not rely on the government. Religious freedom is coupled,with the obligation to respect religious diversity, with nearly nine in 10 parents indicating that everyone must have the right to individual beliefs, but just 36% saying that living "in a society that is based on Judeo-Christian beliefs" is an absolutely essential American ideal. Nine in 10 parents, however, believe most Americans, including youngsters, take the freedoms they have for granted, and 89% think there is too much attention paid to what separates people and not enough to what they have in common.

America's parents tend to reject the theory of bilingual, education believing schools' first priority with...