Survey Probes Views of “Generation Next”

Last year, the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press conducted a survey of eighteen- to twenty-five-year-olds—those in what is sometimes labeled “Generation Next.” A report on the survey, How Young People View Their Lives, Futures and Politics: A Portrait of “Generation Next,” details how this generation understands the opportunities and challenges of the twenty-first century.

“Gen Nexters,” as the report calls them, are optimistic about the future, especially when considering educational and job opportunities. They are significantly more likely than those from other generations to use technologies like text messaging, e-mail, and social networking Web sites. The survey also found that they tend to be more politically Democratic and more tolerant on issues such as homosexuality and immigration. In highlighting these and other differences—as well as some similarities—between today’s young generation and the generations that came before them, the Pew report offers insight into the views of a group that includes today’s traditional-age college students.

FINDINGS

Education and Lifestyles

• Eighty-three percent of Gen Nexters say that they are either currently in school or plan to return to school; 32 percent are in college.
• Nearly one in five Gen Nexters say that getting into college, paying for tuition, handling the workload, and graduating are among their most important problems.
• Eighty-four percent of Gen Nexters believe that young adults today “have it better” than those twenty years ago did when it comes to getting a good education.
• Roughly eight in ten Gen Nexters say that getting rich is the most important goal of their generation; about half say that becoming famous is also highly valued by their generation.
• A majority of Gen Nexters have used social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, and more than four in ten have created a personal profile online.

Political Views

• Gen Nexters favored John Kerry over George W. Bush by 56 to 43 percent in the 2004 presidential election; voters from older generations favored Bush over Kerry by 52 to 47 percent.
• A majority of Americans agree that “when something is run by the government, it is usually inefficient and wasteful,” but most Gen Nexters reject this idea.
• Fifty-eight percent of Gen Nexters believe that homosexuality should be accepted, compared to 50 percent of those in older generations.
• Fifty-two percent of Gen Nexters believe that immigration strengthens the nation, compared to 39 percent of those in older generations.

The Pew Research Center’s report on Generation Next (PDF) is available for downloading.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Sixty-eight percent of those in Generation Next believe that their generation is unique and distinct.
• One in five Gen Nexters say they have no religious affiliation or are atheist or agnostic—practically twice as many as the younger generation in the late 1980s.
• Sixty-four percent of Gen Nexters believe that they live in an especially exciting time.