A Nation That Still Sees the Good

Americans Still Believe in Kindness—But There’s a Generational Gap Emerging

At a time when headlines often focus on division, new data suggests something quieter—but powerful—is still happening across the country: most Americans believe kindness is alive and well.

But not everyone feels equally comfortable taking part.

Kindness Is Still All Around Us

A new survey from Gallup finds that a strong majority of Americans regularly witness kindness in their daily lives.

About six in ten say they see people treating others with kindness and respect often or very often, while nearly two-thirds report personally experiencing acts of kindness within the past week.

That’s not a small number—it’s a reminder that everyday interactions, even small ones, are still shaping how people experience their communities.

A Country That Still Sees Itself as Kind

Zooming out, the broader perception holds steady.

Nearly three-quarters of Americans believe people in the U.S. are at least somewhat kind, with only a small percentage saying Americans are not kind at all.

And that perception isn’t random—it’s tied directly to what people experience.

Those who regularly witness or receive acts of kindness are far more likely to believe the country itself is kind.

The Generational Divide

Where the story gets more complex is with younger Americans.

While kindness is still being seen and experienced, younger adults—particularly those between 18 and 29—are significantly less comfortable initiating acts of kindness toward strangers.

Just over a third say they feel “very comfortable” doing so, compared to nearly two-thirds of adults over 65.

That gap raises an important question: is this simply a matter of age—or something deeper tied to generational shifts in how people connect?

Experience Shapes Behavior

One of the most telling findings is how closely kindness is tied to experience.

People who regularly receive acts of kindness are far more likely to extend it to others.

In fact, among those who experienced multiple kind acts in a week, nearly eight in ten say they feel very comfortable initiating kindness themselves.

It creates a kind of feedback loop—kindness begets kindness.

And the absence of it? That can have the opposite effect.

What This Means Going Forward

The data doesn’t suggest a kindness crisis—but it does point to a potential inflection point.

If younger Americans are less comfortable initiating kind acts, that could shape how communities feel and function in the years ahead.

At the same time, the research offers a clear takeaway:

Kindness isn’t just something people believe in—it’s something they learn, experience, and pass on.

And in many ways, it starts with what people see—and what they receive.