Americans Overall Are Overwhelmingly Proud of the American Flag, but Generational Divides Emerge

81% agree seeing the American flag makes them feel proud, including 96% of Republicans, 75% of independents, and 69% of Democrats. Younger Americans report less pride surrounding the flag, with 64% of Gen-Z Americans and 75% of Millennials saying the flag makes them proud – compared to 85% of Gen-X Americans and 91% of Baby Boomers. 

Focus group participants reported more nuanced feelings towards the flag.

• “For me, the flag is tied up in what we want to be. And I think that Americans want to be kind. We want to be generous. We want to be neighborly. We want to get along with each other and we want a fair shake at providing for ourselves and our families.” – MI man, veteran strong Democrat

• “I think it’s a symbol of pride, of national pride. It’s a symbol of patriotism. And I think it’s a symbol of sacrifice, of what it took to keep us free from other nations.” – PA man, 1st generation weak Republican

• “It was supposed to symbolize freedom and justice for all, but it’s just a symbol to me because it’s not living up to its values. America’s not living up to its values. So that flag, it’s just a symbol to me.” – GA man, Black strong Democrat

• “Everyone in the world knows the American flag. The only thing is I do not like the use of [the] American flag in various objects, especially on 4th of July people are wearing, maybe, swim trunks with [the] American flag or undergarments with [the] American flag and all that. It kind of makes it a meme rather than a symbol of power in one nation.” – MI woman, immigrant independent lean Republican

One-in-three Americans (34%) associate the flag only with the Republican Party while a little less than one-in-five (18%) associate the flag only with the Democratic Party; 30% associate the flag with both parties equally while 15% associate the flag with neither.  

Two-in-Five Display the Flag Outside Their Homes – and Most Who Don’t Would Consider It

41% say they display the flag outside their home, including 27% who display it year-round. A majority of Republicans say they display a flag outside their home either year-round or around holidays (57%), compared to 29% of Democrats and independents who say the same. Half (50%) of veterans/active-duty service members also display the flag year-round or around holidays. Among those who say they do not display a flag, a majority say it is something they would consider doing (62%).

In focus groups, however, some said the flag does not represent who they are.

• “I don’t have a flag display in my house… But I have a flag in my classroom because I have to carry one. The state says I have to have a flag in there, so I have a flag in my classroom, but that’s the only place I have a flag. I don’t put up a flag because I feel like if I can’t display a gay pride flag at my house because I’ll be targeted, then I shouldn’t put up an American flag…” – TX man, Latino strong Democrat

• “I have no disrespect for the flag, but I just don’t have any allegiance for it because it doesn’t represent my people like it should….It’s just representing…white people.” – GA man, Black strong Democrat

Burning the Flag is Universally Reviled But Americans Disagree on if it Should be Protected Speech

Focus group participants were deeply against the idea of burning the American flag. However, many recognize it as fundamentally part of freedom of speech while others feel it should unequivocally be a crime. 

• “I loathe the idea with every fiber of my being of burning the flag. I hate it….That said, I believe a core value, the First Amendment of being an American is the right to free speech and that includes incredibly offensive speech.” – TX man, white Christian independent lean Republican

• “I don’t like [burning the flag], but again, it’s freedom of speech. I won’t be part of it, but it’s one of those things like if you like freedom and speech, they’re allowed to do it.” – PA man, white Christian weak Democrat

• “I think it should be a crime. Because burning the flag has crossed the line. You’re basically telling every single person, no matter what nationality you’re here, that you are against everything that America stands for.” – AZ man, white Christian weak Republican

Images of the Flag Evoke Feelings of Patriotism for Majorities of Americans 

Majorities of Americans report feeling patriotic when shown various images that feature the American flag. Images that are tied to veterans and the Constitution garner the largest shares of patriotic feelings – with over 70% reporting that they feel very patriotic.

However, images of the flag with a Bible or louder displays of the flag are more divisive, with approximately half of Americans finding these images to be very patriotic.