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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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Watch this video and figure out if you do some of these very things. Does it make you more "American" if you do more of these things than someone else? I kept asking myself that question as I watched but this is mostly just poking fun at the idea of being American.

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What it means to be an American "Teen". 

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What it means to be an American "Teen". 

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I believe that when we think about being an American we think a lot about what our lives will be like as adults. Ever wonder what it is like now? Read this and find out.

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What does it mean to be an American? In a recent Gallup Youth Survey*, Gallup posed this question to U.S. teens (aged 13 to 17). Asked on an open-ended basis, the question allowed respondents to offer whatever answer came to mind. While some people might expect disinterested replies, teens' responses reveal a deep and sincere appreciation of the implications of their status as Americans.

Teens frequently mentioned freedom, or some aspect of it, in their responses. One 17-year-old boy said being an American means having "freedom to choose what school I want to attend, what church I want to go to, study what I am interested in, travel freely throughout this country without any restrictions, listen to any radio or TV stations that I want to, and achieve my career and educational goals ... without any influence from any government or military group." A 15-year-old boy said, "Being an American means being proud of my country and defending our right to free speech and the freedom to be who we are." He ended his comments dramatically: "I will defend my right to be free to the death."
Teens Don't Have to Agree With the Government
The war in Iraq has raised many questions about the meaning of patriotism. However, some teens stressed that being American does not mean one has to agree with all the government's actions. A 16-year-old girl said, "Being an American is just caring about the good of America. It doesn't mean agreeing with everything the government does, but at the same time you have to agree with the most core values ... freedom to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, speech, etc." A 17-year-old boy said, "It means having citizenship in the United States. It doesn't matter if you burn flags or join the armed forces, if you have citizenship you are American."
Many Note Freedoms and Welcome Diversity
The United States, by virtue of its founding principles, is a nation of diverse religions, cultures, races, and ethnicities. A 16-year-old girl said that being an American means being "able to have our own ideas and beliefs, and being able to express [them], along with the freedom of being an individual who is different from everyone." A 14-year-old girl gave this response: "I think to be an American means accepting others, treating everyone equally, being open to new ideas and thoughts, understanding and appreciating your freedom, and not taking what your ancestors did for granted."
Criticism and Apathy
A few teens gave apathetic answers, and some were notably critical. But such downbeat responses were rare. "To be an American is to be blind to [the] world's problems, and to consume its resources," said one 16-year-old boy. A 16-year-old girl commented, "I am grateful to be in a country with so many freedoms. I just don't like how high-headed America is and how we may be a little more headstrong than we can handle."
An Open Door to the Future
A common theme in the replies is that being an American and having freedom opens the door to great opportunities. One 13-year-old boy said it means "having the freedom to make choices in my life -- I can be as successful or unsuccessful as I want to be." A 14-year-old girl said to be an American is "to have freedom. To be able to dream and try to be anything you want ... My parents taught me to always do my best and to always have hope, even if you get knocked down over and over. In America, you have the right to always get up!"
Bottom Line
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly in these uncertain times, teens tend to show deep appreciation of what it means to be American. While writing about freedoms, they also note citizens' obligations. Negative and cynical voices are rarely heard. One 17-year-old girl reflected: "...we are a group of people who have dreams and live in a place where we have the chance to fulfill them." Another 16-year-old simply said it means "being part of a nation that tries to be good."
*The Gallup Youth Survey is conducted via an Internet methodology provided by Knowledge Networks, using an online research panel that is designed to be representative of the entire U.S. population. The current questionnaire was completed by 517 respondents, aged 13 to 17, between Aug. 1 and Aug. 29, 2003. For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±5 percentage points.

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What Being American Means to Today's Youth

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What does it mean to be an American? In a recent Gallup Youth Survey, Gallup posed this question to U.S. teens. Asked on an open-ended basis, the question allowed respondents to offer whatever answer came to mind. While some people might expect disinterested replies, teens' responses reveal a deep and sincere appreciation of the implications of their status as Americans.

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If you were born here or not. A minority or not. These people who as a matter of fact some are  minorities can tell you what being American means to them.

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What it means to be an American-- Documentary

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Being American is a gift. We need to treat it like one.

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Being American is a gift. We need to treat it like one.

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Start realizing the opportunities you are given are a privilege and can be taken away at any moment. This video will make you proud to be an american and showed me to not take anything for granted.

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A perfect image of what it means to be an American.

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We always have an excuse for not doing something. People always complain about things being unfair but the first key is to identify your own problems. Figure out if YOU are part of the problem before you make one.

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People often find it difficult to push themselves to achieve short-term goals, let alone lifelong dreams. Perhaps it is learning a new skill, such as woodworking, speaking a second language or sewing. Or using the skates, skis or snowboard that sit idly in the house alongside unfinished projects. Not to mention the treadmill bought last winter that collects dust in the basement, while dreams of six-pack abdominal muscles and a marathon-race physique fade with the personal fitness goals that accompany them.

Whether it is a job, athletics or a personal hobby, many never reach the goals they set out to achieve. Disheartened and unfulfilled, they become disinterested and allow modern distractions to kidnap their focus. Attempting to explain the cause of unrealized health goals, McMaster University exercise psychology professor Kathleen Martin Ginis said that people "often start for the wrong reasons, and never found a good reason to continue" ( Maclean's).

This concept can also apply to other goals left unachieved throughout a lifetime. The Miami Herald reported that as many as 45 percent of people use New Year's Day to make resolutions and set goals-yet 97 percent never reach them. Of the 45 percent, research shows that 75 percent continue with their resolutions beyond the first week; of that number, only 46 percent make it past six months.

In an age in which opportunities abound, and there is access to near-limitless knowledge and technological advancement, what holds people back?

On the Job

An examination of the workplace reveals underlying problems: lack of motivation and unwillingness of employees to apply themselves wholeheartedly.

This is evidenced by the number of workers who mindlessly surf the Web or conduct personal business, via computer, during office hours. A 2005 Websense Inc. study reported that workplace Internet misuse cost American companies "more than $178 billion annually in lost productivity." According to the study, most of this time was spent reading news, checking personal email, completing online banking, exploring travel sites and shopping.

In addition, a 2009 Telegraph survey revealed that approximately $2.25 billion dollars are wasted yearly in Britain because of employee time on social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook. More than half of those surveyed spent an average of 40 minutes daily on these sites at work-a total of one week per employee, per year! When added together, this amounts to over one-tenth of all employee time and salaries being stolen by those who cannot remain focused on the very jobs for which they are being paid!

"We are a kind of a generation who takes the easy way out unless it's something we are really working towards," one graduating Canadian student told her university newspaper, The Daily Planet. "For instance, I'm more likely to slack at my part time job where it's just temporary, and apply myself whole heartedly when it matters, like my current internship."

Some experts believe this thinking can be defeated by self-control.

"Learning self-control produces a wide range of positive outcomes," Florida State University psychology professor Roy Baumeister said in The New York Times. "Kids do better in school, people do better at work. Look at just about any major category of problem that people are suffering from and odds are pretty good that self-control is implicated in some way."

If the problem is self-control, do people today have less of it than years ago?

"There is research that shows people still have the same self-control as in decades past, but we are bombarded more and more with temptations," University of Minnesota professor Kathleen Vohs stated in an editorial titled "Pumping Up the Self-Control in the Age of Temptations." "Our psychological system is not set up to deal with all the potential immediate gratification."

Destined for Success?

Others suggest that some people are just "born to be great" and therefore possess the ability to accomplish their goals, while others do not. Is this true?

In 1879, John D. Rockefeller, at the age of 40, controlled 90 percent of the world's oil refining industry. Later, he founded Standard Oil, one of the world's largest oil companies before the United States Supreme Court mandated its dissolution in 1911. By the time of his death, in 1937, Rockefeller's estimated net worth was approximately $1.4 billion-which would be about $21 billion today.

Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone by age 29, in 1876, and later formed Bell Telephone Company. His scientific interest drove him to tackle other projects for airplanes, artificial respiration, desalinization and water distillation.

Pitching great Nolan Ryan wowed Major League Baseball fans with his blistering 100-mph fastball for a record 27 seasons. A World Series champion by age 22, he still holds the record for being the all-time leader in strikeouts and no-hitters.

Are such men genetically "destined for success"-or is there something more in their character that pushes them toward achievement?

Several researchers attempted to discover the answer. After studying the lives of 210 graduates from Hunter College Elementary School, an institution for intellectually gifted children, Rena Subotnik noticed that by "middle age they had become happy, prosperous, community-minded citizens. But they hadn't aspired to achieve great things." She concluded, "If we do want greatness, IQ is clearly not sufficient" ( Maclean's).

According to Daniel Goleman's book Emotional Intelligence, by the time Harvard students from the 1940s reached middle age, "...the men with the highest test scores in college were not particularly successful compared to their lower-scoring peers in terms of salary, productivity, or status in their field. Nor did they have the greatest life satisfaction, nor the most happiness with friendships, family, and romantic relationships."

Researchers have also discovered that success is not tied to natural talent. The results of a broad-based study that appeared in Fortune magazine covering topics ranging from athletics to music showed, "The evidence we have surveyed...does not support the [notion that] excelling is a consequence of possessing innate gifts."

If not raw ability or natural intelligence, then what essential trait leads to success?

All-important Willpower

Accomplishing goals means being motivated beyond a desire to simply achieve. It requires developing the will to do it-and the character necessary to carry them out.

Consider. It is willpower that propels one to go to the gym after a full day's work, or to get up every morning before sunrise and run two miles. It takes real inner strength to extinguish a highly addictive smoking habit.

Without drive, there would be no Nolan Ryans, Alexander Graham Bells, or John D. Rockefellers.

Yet willpower-drive-does not develop on its own. Similar to a muscle, willpower will atrophy and deteriorate if left unused. It must be exercised regularly to increase its strength. As with training a muscle, one cannot start by lifting heavy weights. Instead, he must gradually build up strength little by little through various exercises.

John D. Rockefeller stated in his book Random Reminiscences of Men and Events, "The man who starts out simply with the idea of getting rich won't succeed; you must have a larger ambition." He realized that succeeding in his goals could only happen through good old-fashioned hard work and a focused, burning desire to learn, grow and achieve-which requires drive.

What is drive? Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as "an impelling culturally acquired concern, interest, or longing." Any individual who wants to achieve success must drive himself forward and never give up.

But if drive is so crucial to achieving success, where can one turn to learn how to develop such a powerful force?

The majority of people are unaware that there is a specific formula for success-and an instruction manual that teaches it-the Bible. Those willing to read it reap a wealth of information about how to achieve true, lasting success.

Solomon, the wisest and perhaps wealthiest man who ever lived, recorded many verses in the Bible about drive. If applied, these will yield lasting results.

Proverbs 10:4 states, "He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent makes rich." No one would ever accuse John Rockefeller of being lazy. After all, how many self-made rich men increased their wealth without getting sweat on their brows?

Consider another: "See you a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings..." ( Prov. 22:29). After his long illustrious career, Nolan Ryan was personally invited to join the U.S. president's council on fitness and sports. His hard work caused others to take notice.

"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul..." ( Prov. 13:19). Imagine how Alexander Bell felt when he heard a voice come through a telephone receiver for the first time. Certainly, the feeling of accomplishment must have been sweet.

Press Forward

No doubt, achieving success is hard work. It takes willpower and motivation to accomplish goals.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 states, "Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go."

Take time now to make the most of each opportunity. Determine to stay focused. Whether in a career, a personal hobby, or simply fixing a broken sink handle, true success can be achieved!

Even though drive is essential, it is just one of seven principles needed to have true success. To learn the other six-including the one overarching principle upon which the others are founded-read David C. Pack's booklet The Laws to Success.

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People often find it difficult to push themselves to achieve short-term goals, let alone lifelong dreams. Perhaps it is learning a new skill, such as woodworking, speaking a second language or sewing. Or using the skates, skis or snowboard that sit idly in the house alongside unfinished projects.

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Find out from tons of normal people like me and you what they think it means to be an American.

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What does it mean to be an American? | Scholastic.com

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Not only is it important to be a good person yourself but it is also important to understand the people before you and the work they did for this country.

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Who are the most influential figures in American history? We asked 10 eminent historians. The result, collected here, is The Atlantic 's 100 picks. (More on America's most influential filmmakers, musicians, critics, architects, and poets-and how we put these lists together-below.)

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The 100 Most Influential Figures in American History

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Who are the most influential figures in American history? We asked 10 eminent historians. The result, collected here, is The Atlantic's 100 picks. (More on America's most influential filmmakers, musicians, critics, architects, and poets-and how we put these lists together-below.)

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The american dream will always be attainable if you take advantage of all of your opportunities given to you.

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/ MoneyWatch

Opinion
Six out of 10 Americans believe the American dream is dead according to a recent poll. And lots of people are talking about how terrible that is. But, what I haven't seen addressed is that 4 out of 10 Americans believe the American dream is not dead -- that it is, in fact, still alive and kicking. And furthermore, although the poll doesn't tell me one way or the other, I suspect that a good deal of those 4 out of 10 not only believe it's possible to succeed and be better off than one's parents, but have done precisely that.

Personally, I like to be on the side of positivity. After all, if you figure the game is impossible to win, you won't try as hard to do so.

So, I'm here to tell you that yes, good jobs are hard to come by. Yes, losing your job and having to move back in with your parents is an awful thing. And yes, I don't envy the new grads who are out there looking for the jobs they thought the'd be able to get with a degree, and find themselves working the same job they worked over summers in high school.

But, I also firmly believe it doesn't have to be that way. If you want to achieve the American dream, and end up better off than your parents were, here are some things you can do:

Get cost effective training. For years the advice was to go to the best college you could get into. Perhaps that should be changed to "go to the school that will give you the most bang for your buck." And that may not be college. It may be skilled trades training. It may be a community college. Did you know the median salary for a dental hygienist (2 years of community college) is $68,000?

Forget about dream jobs and think about dream lives. We tell people to chase their dreams and that sounds fine and good until they can't pay their bills. What's your dream life? Your realistic dream life, mind you. You want to have a nice family, be out of debt, and be happy. Right? Sure, your own private jet would be great, but that's not necessary for happiness.

So, don't go chasing happiness through that perfect job. Take a lousy job and work your way up. And come to the reality that while you may love to discuss political philosophy, people really don't want to pay you to do that. So, save that for the weekends and train for a job that actually pays.

Look for warning signs at your job and act first. I receive so many emails from people that literally detail years of their boss being unhappy with them, yet they wait to look for a new job until they are fired. Don't do that. It's easier to find a job when you have one, so when you see the writing on the wall, start job hunting immediately. This also applies when you see the company's finances start to circle the drain. Obviously, you can't perfectly predict what a boss or company will do, but if you pay attention, you'll increase your odds.

Get married and stay married. "On average, people who get married and stay married enjoy almost twice as much wealth as those who never marry." I'm not advising you to run out and grab the closest single person on the street and drag them to the county court house. But, maybe there is something to that old concept of "settling down."

Remember that your parents didn't have it all at once. Accept the idea that success is gradual, not immediate. You may not be able to go out and buy what your parents had, but they probably couldn't buy what they have now when they were your age.

The problem with wanting what they have now is that you get into debt. And when you get into debt, your ability to achieve the American dream is super limited. You can't quit your job and start your own business, because you have credit card bills hanging over your head, for instance.

Work hard. Would you believe that working doesn't just come naturally to some people? There's no concept of when you finish one task, you start in on the next one. Some people pat themselves on the back when they do as little work as possible. While this provides temporary fun, it won't help towards real success.

Whether you're working in an office, as a waitress, or living with your parents while looking for a job, kick your work level up a notch. For the office worker, take on a new project. For the waitress, use down time to clean, stock, and prep. For the unemployed person, clean out the basement, trim the lawn to perfection, and mow your elderly neighbor's lawn as well. Work is good for you.

What do you think? What can you do to keep the American dream alive for yourself?

Trending News

Suzanne Lucas

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MoneyWatch Opinion Six out of 10 Americans believe the American dream is dead according to a recent poll. And lots of people are talking about how terrible that is. But, what I haven't seen addressed is that 4 out of 10 Americans believe the American dream is not dead -- that it is, in fact, still alive and kicking.

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It is more than just saying you live here and are a citizen. You have to understand the colors our nation bleeds and what they stand for.