It's indeed complicated, the EU is moving way too fast for local cultures, they are also arriving in a bad economic climate so it does not help. No-one thinks themselves "European" either (whatever this might mean), the European Union looks from the outside as a floating entity on top of Europe, it's difficult for people to relate to it.
The fact that politicians are avoiding to do a poll with almost 35% (total of left + right parties) of votes to openly Anti-EU party (this was in 2012, I imagine it's more now, and this is only people voting for openly anti-EU parties, the real figures are obviously higher) is also seen really negatively and does not help at all to improve the general opinion of the European Union.
To me, it's a modern identity. I have geographically dispersed friends and family. I am speaking to you online, right now and we are speaking candidly about political issues concerning us together. I don't even know where your'e from (Hello, by-the-way.) I appreciate the right to live in other EU countries and I would feel violated if it was curbed. I respect other European's rights to live here if they choose.
That's it. There is a lot of movement, btw and I think it's a good thing. The italians living here for 2 years before college and the Germans living in Paris for a year. The cousin who married a French girl. Maybe their grandchildren will feel differently.
We don't need to be anything in particular. We just need to function a little better. We'll feel whatever we feel. Our kids will feel what they feel and hopefully they won't bomb each others cities ever again.
I think you make a good point about your cousins children. I believe if the EU could survive for another decade or so, it will be in a much better shape. IMO the politics of free movement inside the EU changes the lives and behavior of those affected(e.g. students having the chance to live & study in a totally different culture and environment) in a way that makes is almost impossible for them to accept a reversal to the old status-quot. When the generations that are currently criss-crossing in the halls of european universities will get a chance to influence the politics I believe we'll see a much more aligned "european identity".
Oh yeah I feel the same, I'm a French guy currently living in London but I must admit I clearly not represent the majority, especially when I look around my relatives.
The fact that politicians are avoiding to do a poll with almost 35% (total of left + right parties) of votes to openly Anti-EU party (this was in 2012, I imagine it's more now, and this is only people voting for openly anti-EU parties, the real figures are obviously higher) is also seen really negatively and does not help at all to improve the general opinion of the European Union.