06-01-12 Young adults ages 18-24 are more racially and ethnically diverse than other generations, and they shrug off attempts to label them, according to the Public Religion Research Institute and Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Fewer than six in 10 self-identify as White (57%), compared to 72% of Americans ages 25 and older; 21% identify as Hispanic, 14% as Black, 6% as “other,” and 3% say they belong to two or more racial/ethnic categories.
When asked to compare their own generation with that of their parents, 40% of Millennials view their generation more negatively than that of their parents. About a fifth (22%) say there are no differences between the two groups, and 19% view their generation more positively than their parents’ generation. The most frequently mentioned generational difference is that Millennials are more “tech-savvy” than their parents. Other common ways they describe themselves as different than their parents is being lazier (8%), more open-minded (6%), better educated (5%), and more entitled (5%).
Nearly half of those age 18-24 live at home with their parents (48%), with men more likely to do so than women (56% vs. 41%). Six in 10 Millennials (60%) talk to their parents at least once a day, though those living away from home do so less frequently (36%).
Millennials are more likely to say that they once believed in the American Dream, but no longer feel it’s true than to say the American Dream still holds true (45% vs. 40%). That said, 42% say they will be better off financially than their parents, while 18% expect to be less well-off than their parents, and 38% predict their financial situation will be the same as their parents.
Likewise, 63% say that one of the big problems facing the country is that not everyone is given an equal chance in life; 28% believe there is an inequality, but say it’s not a big deal.
Jobs and unemployment are their top concerns (76%). Majorities also say the federal deficit (55%) and education (54%) are critical issues in the U.S., with fewer citing abortion (22%) or same-sex marriage (22%) as pressing concerns.
Six in 10 are registered to vote, but only 46% are “absolutely certain” they will vote in the 2012 Presidential election. The largest number are registered as Independent (45%), compared to 33% who are Democrats and 23% who are Republicans. However, their voter registration records differ from how they “lean.” The majority (58%) say they “lean” ideologically toward the Democratic Party, while 39% lean toward the Republican Party. Few (3%) say they don’t lean toward either political party.
Sources: Public Religion Research Institute, Robert Jones, CEO, 2027 Massachusetts Ave, NW, 3rd Fl., Washington DC, 20036; www.publicreligion.org.
Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Thomas Banchoff, Director, 3307 M St., NW, #200, Washington, DC 20007; www.berkleycenter.georgetown.edu.
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