What Makes American Teens Unique?

On the heels of Independence Day in the United States, it’s worth reflecting on what makes the next generation of Americans distinct. Research from The Open Generation, Barna’s massive global teens study, reveals how young people in the U.S. compare to their global peers. Here are three key areas where they show notable differences:

Faith: Less Religious but Not Necessarily Done with Faith

The U.S. is primarily a Christian country. According to Barna’s data, a plurality of U.S. teens and young adults (56%) is Christian; of those, over half (57%) is Catholic. Comparatively, 65 percent of all U.S. adults (excluding Gen Z) identify as Christian. This places American teens in a notably different position than many of their global peers.

However, 19 percent of teens (ages 13–17)—and twice as many young adults (37% of those ages 18–22)—are atheist, agnostic or of no faith. More than any other U.S. generation before them, Gen Z does not assert a religious identity. But it remains to be seen whether this represents a clean break from faith. Among young adults in their early twenties, the likelihood of reporting no faith begins to decline, and identification with Christianity picks up again.

Emotions: Optimistic but Under Pressure

In matters of emotional health and security, teens in the U.S. stand out against their global peers, in both positive and negative respects. They are more likely to say they experience uncertainty and pressure to be successful or perfect. At the same time, they are more likely to feel optimistic and confident. Their emotional profile is generally more vibrant than the global average.

Young adults in the U.S., however, report far higher levels of stress, anxiety and uncertainty, and lower levels of confidence, security and a sense of being believed in or cared for. This compounding anxiety is consistent with what Barna saw among 18–35-year-olds in our research for The Connected Generation.

Stark differences emerge among Gen Z by gender. Young men in the U.S. are more likely than young women to feel optimism, satisfaction with their choices, security in who they are and an ability to accomplish their goals. Meanwhile, Gen Z women in the U.S. report more anxiety about important decisions, fear of failure and uncertainty about the future.

Looking at teens and young adults more closely by age, we see the details of the emotional tides of Gen Z—which, with the onset of adulthood, begin to ebb. Around the ages of 17 and 18, a sense of security and optimism becomes more tempered. Simultaneously, negative emotional health measures climb.

Community: More Connected Than Global Peers

Teens in the U.S. are significantly more likely than global teens to report community satisfaction. They seem more embedded in and comfortable with their communities. Despite this relatively high community satisfaction, some teens may be looking for deeper connections and greater confidence that their presence and influence matter.

Young adults in the U.S. report similar levels of community satisfaction, but there are a handful of differences between them and teens, most notably, a 10-point dip in their comfort in community.

Interestingly, Gen Z who live in urban areas have a more positive experience of community across the board, compared to their peers in suburban or rural contexts in the U.S.

Looking Ahead: The Promise of American Youth

As we celebrate Independence Day, this research reminds us that U.S. teens face both unique opportunities and distinct challenges. They are more emotionally intense, more spiritually complex and more community-connected than many of their global peers. They embody both the promise and the pressures of American society.

The data also reveals an important responsibility for U.S. communities, churches and leaders. While American teens start with advantages in optimism and community connection, these strengths start to erode as they transition into adulthood. After all, young adults even a couple years older exhibit more signs of emotional strain, spiritual uncertainty and social isolation. Churches and Christian leaders must explore in their context: What are the anchors that can help to steady teens as they grow up?