So what is your take on the issue of American openness to foreigners in the light of ongoing heated debates on immigration and economic implications of it for the United States? Some of the rhetoric and recent measures on the important issues might suggest a negative answer to all these. But a latest survey says nationally the picture is much more positive and Americans remain open to foreigners.
A large majority of Americans feel that openness to foreigners is a defining trait of the nation, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
The country’s openness to people from around the world is seen as “essential to who we are as a nation.”
As big majority- 68%- says America’s openness to foreigners is a defining characteristic of the nation, while just 29% say “if America is too open to people from all over the world, we risk losing our identity as a nation.”
The survey reveals that the belief on openness is widely shared across most demographic groups with Democrats and younger people being considerably more likely than others to hold this view.
Significantly, the national survey, conducted June 27-July 9 among 2,505 adults, finds that among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, an overwhelming share (84%) thinks America’s openness is essential to who we are as a nation.
On the other hand, Republicans and Republican leaners are divided: 47% say America’s openness is essential, while 48% say being too open carries with it the risk of losing our identity as a nation, a Pew report said Tuesday.
Moreover, the survey finds that “Conservative Republicans are more likely than moderate and liberal Republicans to express concern that openness is a threat to the nation’s identity. About half (51%) of conservative Republicans say this, compared with 41% of moderate and liberal Republicans.”
Further along the political spectrum, large majorities of both liberal Democrats and conservative and moderate Democrats hold the view that America’s openness to people around the world is essential to who we are as a nation. But liberals are particularly likely to say this (91%, compared with 79% among conservative and moderate Democrats), the Pew reported.
The recognition of American openness among younger people is far greater. “About eight-in-ten (81%) adults younger than 30 say this, compared with about six-in-ten (61%) of those ages 50 and older.”
Across diversity lines, there are only modest racial and ethnic differences in these views: 66% of whites think America’s openness to foreigners is essential to who we are, and 74% of blacks and 72% of Hispanics share the same opinion.
The survey also tells that educational groups view America’s openness to foreigners in positive terms. “Roughly eight-in-ten adults with a postgraduate degree (81%) say that America’s openness is essential to who we are as a nation, as do 74% of those with a four-year degree. A smaller majority of those without a bachelor’s degree (64%) say the same,” the report says.
