There are many objects, beliefs, and characteristics that Americans are associated with. Everyone has an image of a "real American" in his or her mind, but few actually know people who are like that. National identity in the United States is quite different than that of other countries in this respect. The American identity has never been very precisely defined nor strictly followed.
The differences between the United States and most other countries exist in the liberties that we possess. We have the right to formulate our own opinions and behave the way we choose to. We are free to adhere to a national identity only if we desire to do so. In many other nations under various governments, the people were forced to think a certain way and act a certain way. National identities are imposed on the citizens of those nations. They are not reflections of the personalities of the people, their interests, or their beliefs.
However, recently this has not been the case in our country. Since the terrorist attacks, many people have felt pressured to have to change their beliefs and demonstrate to others that they are members of this nation. There was a wave of hysteria over the U.S. flags about a year ago. Almost everyone I knew had placed flags in the windows of their homes and cars. Many stores were actually sold out of flags. Although some of this hysteria was a result of patriotism, much had to do with the need for some to prove their nationality to their neighbors. A similar situation is occurring with the Pledge of Allegiance. Students disagree with being forced to recite it, feeling that they should not have to prove their allegiance to this country. They do not want to be forced into sticking to this national identity.
Over the years, the American identity has become composed of many distinct identities compiled from around the world. Yet these things that try to describe most people, are hardly followed by many.