The Outstater

November 21, 2025

Our Cultural Disconnect

WITH THE 250th ANNIVERSARY of the Declaration of Independence ahead of us, we asked our assistant, Grok, to review recent polling on what American youth know about this founding document. I leave the results with you to decide whether we have reached a state of total cultural disconnection:

The Annenberg Public Policy Center’s Civics Knowledge Survey asked the question of ages 18-29, “What does the Declaration of Independence do?” Multiple choice: 1) establishes the U.S. government; 2) announces separation from Britain; 3) defines citizenship; 4) protects individual rights.

Only 26 percent correctly identified it as announcing separation from Britain. Thirty-two percent thought it “establishes the U.S. government” (confusing it with the Constitution) and 21 percent picked “protects individual rights” (confusing it with the Bill of Rights).

The American Bible Society’s poll asked young adults ages 18-29 to name “one right guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence.” Twelve percent couldn’t name any, and only 9 percent mentioned equality or self-government principles.

Grok offered this grim analysis of the polling in general: Although youth consistently underperform on specifics, they nonetheless hold strong opinions, some of them adverse. Fifty-five percent in one survey saw the Declaration as a “hypocritical promise”  due to slavery’s omission, boosting motivation on issues like racial justice.

None of the polling delved into the world-changing aspects of the Declaration, that is, the cementing under an eventual constitutional republic the relationship of the governed and the government as one based on individual liberty rather than on authoritarian rule.

All of which is to say we hope you will be able to drag a young person — kicking and screaming if necessary — to our spring seminar, “What Every American Should Know about the Founding.” There will be things said that he or she clearly needs to hear.

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