It is no secret to most Americans that citizens of many other countries dislike us. From broad international agreement that American actions around the world are irresponsible to increasingly wide-scale personal dislike for Americans, we have been at the low end of international public opinion for a while now. A new study of teenagers from 12 countries by College of Communication professors Melvin and Margaret DeFleur reiterates what most Americans should already know — America’s international perception continues to be poor and has not improved since Sept. 11.

The project, which polled 1,259 lower and middle-class high school students in countries ranging from Saudi Arabia and China to the Dominican Republic and Mexico, is titled “The Next Generation’s Image of Americans.” Argentinian teens were the only survey respondents reporting relatively positive views of Americans. Saudi Arabian and Bahrainian teens showed the most negative views of Americans in the study, with Mexican teens close behind.

Why do citizens from other countries dislike Americans? There may be many reasons. The study cites American television shows as a major reason for other teenagers’ dislike, which may be too simplistic an answer. “Friends” and “The Sopranos” may be all the exposure many international teens have to American society, but that cannot be the only reason for an emotional dislike as strong as world “hate” of Americans seems to be.

Perceived American arrogance is a much more valid reason for world dislike. American tourists are perceived as loud and obnoxious and impatiently searching for good and immediate service. And American citizens in general know very little about the political systems and circumstances of people in other countries like Bahrain and Nigeria. In fact, many Americans would likely be unable to identify them on a world map.

Indeed, individual Americans cannot do much to improve international opinion of American society. All we can do is more completely educate ourselves on the political climates and life conditions in other countries in an effort to promote mutual cultural respect.

Only major government action can make the lives of many teenagers throughout the world significantly better. But it is our responsibility as favorably situated Americans to learn more about other countries and build mutual respect.