Proud to be an American - Poll-Pourri - patriotism rises in polls after September 11, 2001 - Brief Article

Women's Quarterly, Spring, 2002 by Karlyn Bowman

THE POLLING PROFESSION doesn't ask questions about patriotism very often. But in the wake of the events of September 11, the pollsters returned to the subject, reminding themselves and the rest of us that love of country is strong. A whopping 80 percent of Americans, for example, said they displayed the American flag after September 11. Other questions revealed a country that is healthier than many on the right and left are willing to admit. Huge majorities in our deeply religious country prayed, and many thousands donated to charities set up for the victims and their families.

In June 1981, 97 percent told Gallup they were very or quite proud to be an American. The last time Gallup asked the question, in November 2000, a virtually identical 95 percent gave that response. Just 5 percent said they were not very or not proud at all.

Karlyn Bowman is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.