Millennial Trends: Worried About the Economy, Likely to Not Vote
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Less than half of Millennials, Americans age 18 to 29, believe when they are their parents’ age, they will be better off, according to the “Survey of Young Americans’ Attitudes Toward Politics and Public Service" (pdf) from Harvard University's Institute of Politics.
Given the current economy, 60 percent said they were concerned about meeting their bills and obligations; 58 percent were concerned about being able to afford a place to live; 56 percent were concerned they wouldn't have enough money for health care and 46 percent were worried that they would not be able to live in the town or city of their choice. Among college students, 45 percent said they were concerned about being able to continue to pay for school. That number jumped to 64 percent for students enrolled in community college.
The institute surveyed 3,117 Americans in English (91 percent) and Spanish (9 percent). They were polled in January and February.
A majority of Millennials thought the president and Congress should keep the budget deficit down--even if it means it will take longer for the economy to recover--as opposed to boosting the economy now at the cost of larger deficits later.
Only 31 percent of those surveyed said they will vote in the 2010 midterm elections. Only 18 percent of young Hispanics plan on voting.
“A warning sign for Democrats in Congress -- young Republicans under 30 are statistically more likely than young Democrats to say that they will ‘definitely be voting in November,’” according to the executive summary.
When it comes to trust and doing the right thing, 53 percent trust the military, and 45 percent trust the Supreme Court and the president, respectively.
The survey also found Millennials tend to view community service as “tangible, relevant and honorable,” stated the executive summary, “while politics was much less so.”
A sign of influence? Twenty-four percent of African Americans (as opposed to 16 percent of Caucasians) say working in politics or government is appealing; President Barack Obama may be an inspiration within the black community. And Caucasians (62 percent) are more likely than African Americans (42 percent) to believe that elected officials are motivated by selfish reasons.
Calling all Millenials: Do you think this study is a fair representation of you and your opinions? Are you surprised by any of the findings? We want to hear what you think.
Read more from YPNation: Check out this piece on health care and young professionals.
(Photo credit: Hector Milla; C.C. 2.0)
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Comments
There have been lots of
There have been lots of people put out of work within the supposedly-over recession. The idea was that if the government doled out a huge money advance, the joblessness level would decrease. The stimulus programs really had the opposite effect, as unemployment has actually worsened. The summer has been brutal, as 27 states recorded an increase in unemployment. There were 10 states with no change, and 13 states with a decrease. Still, we are assured the recession is over. There doesn't appear to be much reassuring of that proclamation.I hope that our economy will soon improve itself.It is very hard to support your family if you don't have a job.
I don't feel sorry for
I don't feel sorry for Millennials (Don't jump on me before reading this comment), in my opinion this tough economy has helped them in many ways. When they reach the age of their parents, this world is going to be a damn competitive place where you need to be super-good at all things to earn. There'll be more problems than only this economical one. So I believe for those who've taken this economic crisis as a challenge and decided to fight it, have also reaped the benefits of it. Economic boom has ended but there has been a boom of opportunities for many young ones (like you guys are better with social media and Internet so if you want to start an online home-based business as also listed in Self Employment Starters article) you can in much better way. Many people have came up with brilliant ideas with ways of earning money which I believe during boom period many wouldn't have cared about.
Also this economy crisis in my view has given a solid kick to every one of us regarding how much we squander our money and save nothing for bad times. We can blame others for the downfall but we're a part of economy too. Saving is important as well, only today we think either to spend a money on pleasure or on necessity but during a boom period when all of us had greater earnings we never paid much attention to our necessity because we thought that comes automatic and didn't respect it, rather we ran towards luxuries.
So I believe that youngsters have been taught a good lesson here and if they keep these bad times in mind and keep on improving (never consider that your university education is enough to feed you for life, you've got to improve daily and keep educating yourself so you keep up with the pace of life) they will be as happy as their parents were or more :).
Regards
Ken Lowman
MacDonald Highlands Real Estate
Change our lot, together
The future definitely looks bleaker for young people, especially after this last economic crisis, which has further caused a rift between the have and the have not's. In the financial industry, there are a few banks which have benefited - see the $700 bailout - from the crisis at the expense of numerous smaller banks who didn't get a lick of those funds.
But the greatest sign that millenials have a tough time ahead of them, is the increasing unemployment numbers in that cohort. When businesses close - large, medium and small - workers, usually younger workers bear most of the brunt. During this recession more than 50% of the 15 million unemployed are millenlials. Therefore, its conceivable why they don't forecast being better off their parents.
Nonetheless, there is a solution: to be innovative and incorporate your ideas on a scale that is beneficial for all of society, not just yourself. If one has a skill, don't fear utilizing it in a new and innovative fashion, and do so with other skilled millenlials and see the fruitful results.
It's time to work together around the system, not in it, or one is likely to be unemployed again during the next recession. Let the Young people unite!
Great point!
Well said, Micah. While there is a lot of bad economic news out there on Main Street, there is also positive and inspirational change going on. And it is exciting to see that many young people are heeding your advice. It is certainly a time to look inward at your strengths and be creative about utilizing them. *Create* your own work, and, yes, unite with peers!
If you have a moment, check out these two pieces from one of our contributors that touch on what you are talking about: http://www.ypnation.net/making-cogs-vs-being-cogs-0 and http://www.ypnation.net/self-employment-starters
NO FAIR!
60 % concerned about meeting their bills and obligations
58 % concerned about being able to afford a place to live
56 % concerned they wouldn't have enough money for health care
46 % worried they wouldn't be able to live in the town or city of their choice. 45 % concerned about being able to continue to pay for school.
WOW WOW WOW. I would say that these numbers are believable. At 23 I'm some where right in the middle of the Millennial age group. Personally I'm worried about not being able to live in the city of my choice, or make other favorable choices due to the current economy. Its so ironic given that I and I'm sure other Millennials have played by the rules thus far. We attend(ed) college, did our fear share of internships and community service, worked a job or two, and now that we are looking to progress in our lives, we're slapped in the face with the economy and other factors that prevent the "go to school, get a good education, so that you can get a good job" equation from working the way we're told it would.
NO FAIR! That's why its all the more important that we vote. I'm actually looking into changing my party affiliation.
Great post!