This week, young people (next week, old people!). The Millennial generation, like the gaggle of young women sitting next to me in this Starbucks, was born 1982-2003. So, they are all under 30. And, there are a lot of them: About 90 million people, larger than the Baby Boom generation. Yes, young people vote in smaller numbers than other groups. But, their political views are going to change American politics and the country, just as every generation has done. Their political and partisan tendencies are being locked in now, in their youth, also like the rest of us.
How will this generation change our politics? Can we even make any generalizations about such a large and diverse group? If so, what do Millennials believe that is relevant to politics? What do they want politics to do for them, specifically? How will Generation Y vote and how will the need to attract their loyalty change both political parties?
Discussion Questions –
- Who is the Millennial Generation? Do they have any common formative experiences? What are their social and political views?
- Can we describe Generation Y as uniformly progressive? What about their libertarian tendencies? What made them like this?
- What do Millennials want out of politics and how do they (or, do they) expect politicians to solve their problems?
- How have they voted and affected politics so far? Which party will appeal to them in the future? How will the need to attract them change the parties and what they stand for?
- Voting aside, how will Millennials’ political participation change our country?
- Will Millennials change their politics as they grow older?
- The Great Recession has devastated young adults. Their economic catastrophe. Their “delayed adulthood.” The staggering debt trap they are in. (Read one, please,)
- What are the social and political views of Millennials? (Recommended)
- What are their political views like?
- Are Millennials the “progressive generation?” (Recommended, but don’t believe everything you read.) See here for a longer and better source analysis that says the same thing.
- Right now, Millennials hate the GOP.
- But, this could change, especially if Obama is perceived a failure and/or if Republicans change some of their policies! (Read one)
NEXT WEEK: Can Americans Afford the Retirement Security They Expect?