America’s future in good hands

By Jason Ross

The history behind Independence Day, the sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers, and our responsibilities as modern American citizens often get lost in the holiday shuffle.

It's not lost, however, on America's next generation.

The Bill of Rights Institute recently analyzed the thinking of 3,000 high school students nationwide on the civic virtues they value, who their historical heroes are, and which of our Founding documents inspire them the most.

The survey was based on some of the 50,000 essays submitted in the “Being an American” Essay Contest for the 2009-2010 school year. This is the biggest student essay contest in the country.

Many parents, teachers and other adults think today's teens aspire mostly to banal things such as popularity; admire teen idols such as Paris Hilton, not historical figures; and are inspired by the latest vampire-based novel in the “Twilight” series, not America's Founding documents.

Perhaps adults give teens too little credit. We found that the next generation is drawn most to role models who exhibit perseverance and courage.

Nearly one-third of students believe perseverance and courage (15 percent each) are the civic values that define us as Americans.

Others chose respect (14 percent), entrepreneurialism (12 percent), responsibility (9 percent), liberty (8 percent), integrity (8 percent) and justice (4 percent).

They admire leaders who could have left the burden of leadership to others but chose to step up to the plate. They look up to those who overcame difficulties in pursuit of a dream.

These are the same timeless traits displayed by patriots of all kinds during the fight for American independence. Courage and perseverance, for example, drove countless Founders to risk their lives, fortunes and honor in the name of freedom. Thomas Jefferson, who penned the Declaration of Independence, was one of three patriots of the revolution who ranked among the students' top five role models.

The others were the indispensable leader, Gen. George Washington, and Thomas Paine, who authored the explosive revolutionary pamphlet “Common Sense.”

These revolutionary leaders were joined by Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. as leaders whom students admire as role models.

The next generation, we found, wants to carry the torch.

For example, 47 percent of the students selected the Declaration of Independence - which we honor today - as the single most inspiring Founding document.

Our Founders would be proud to know their character and actions continue to inspire future generations more than 200 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Jason Ross is vice president of education programs for the Bill of Rights Institute. Comments:

jross@billofrightsinstitute.org