What Americans Are Positive About
If you spend much time consuming media commentary or scrolling through online discourse, you could easily conclude that Americans are deeply pessimistic about everything from their personal prospects to their country’s future. As we begin a new year, I think it’s a good time to step back and get a more complete picture. It turns out that positive attitudes remain common among Americans, they just don’t get much attention. These positive attitudes matter because they reveal psychological strengths that can be mobilized to address real challenges.
At the Archbridge Institute, we regularly conduct national surveys measuring American attitudes across multiple dimensions of life. I’ve discussed many of these surveys individually as we’ve released them. But I wanted to highlight some of our key findings from 2025 because when you see them side by side, a clear pattern emerges. Positive attitudes remain remarkably widespread across different aspects of American life, even when broader discussions of American sentiment ignore them entirely.
The American Dream offers a good starting point. We’re constantly told it’s dead, that it’s become an unattainable relic of a bygone era. Our research tells a very different story. Around 70 percent of Americans report they have achieved or are making progress toward achieving the American Dream. What people value most about the Dream is particularly revealing. Freedom of choice in how to live tops the list at 83 percent, followed closely by having a good family life at 80 percent. Only 15 percent say becoming wealthy is essential to the Dream. The American Dream, for most Americans, is about freedom and family, not riches. When it comes to opportunity, the pessimistic narrative falls short again. Just 23 percent of Americans believe they have fewer opportunities than their parents did. The story Americans tell about their own lives and prospects doesn’t match the story often told about them.
Just as we’re told the American Dream is dead, we also hear claims that Americans no longer see the United States as a positive force in the world. Our research reveals a different reality. Most Americans recognize their nation as an important driver of positive global change. Three-quarters believe America’s global leadership has been crucial for human progress, with similar proportions crediting the nation’s cultural emphasis on optimism and possibility (76 percent) and business achievements (78 percent). Even more (84 percent) highlight the nation’s scientific research as a driver positive change globally. Perhaps most significantly, nearly eight in ten Americans agree that going forward, America’s contributions will remain vital for human progress.
This recognition of America’s past and future contributions is accompanied by deep personal gratitude for what previous generations accomplished. We find that nearly nine in ten American adults feel grateful for the efforts and accomplishments of past generations that contribute to the quality of life they enjoy today. Similar proportions agree that historical stories about major breakthroughs and triumphs over adversity give them reason to believe we can overcome today’s biggest challenges. Importantly, this isn’t just about looking back with appreciation. Most Americans (83 percent) said thinking about what previous generations accomplished inspires them to make contributions that will benefit future generations. This suggests that gratitude for the past translates into motivation for the future.
Finally, despite narratives of powerlessness, Americans maintain strong feelings of agency in both their personal lives and their capacity to contribute to society. In our recent report on the state of personal agency in America, we found that nine in ten Americans believe they have the ability to exercise control over their own lives. When we measured what we call progress agency (the sense that one can improve the world beyond just one’s personal life), strong majorities believe they have both the power (74 percent) and responsibility (79 percent) to make contributions that improve the world. The narrative of widespread powerlessness doesn’t reflect how most Americans actually view their capacity to shape their lives and make a positive difference in the world.
These findings don’t erase the real challenges we face as a nation. Mental health struggles, loneliness, and political polarization are genuine problems that deserve attention. But it’s also critical to focus on the positive because psychological states like confidence, optimism, gratitude, and agency aren’t just good for personal wellbeing. They drive human progress by motivating people to take action on challenges, fostering the creativity and open-mindedness needed for innovation, and sustaining the persistence required when facing obstacles. As we head into a new year, let's recognize these positive attitudes and build on the psychological strengths that most Americans possess.
Have a great weekend!
Clay