Maybe wearing, or having the image of, the American flag will make someone more American. To be an "American". 

A woman works in a shoe store on the corner of two streets. Her husband is a contractor, and doesn't do much of the family thing. Affecting her, as it would, she feels neglected, unloved and emotionally abused. 

To be in that situation is not one you want to be in, you find yourself in them. Complaining about your home life is not going to get you anywhere, not to your friends or your living parent (if you are lucky and happen to have one).