Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, have dominated American demographics for decades. As a result, this post-World War II population has set the agenda for the nation’s political, cultural and economic landscape for quite some time.
However, a recent Pew Research Center study recently found that the Millennial generation, being people born between 1981 and 1997, have just edged out the Boomer population and are now “the largest living generation in the U.S.”
A big reason for this demographic shift is the growing number of immigrants between the ages of 18 and 24 entering the country, coupled with an aging (and dying) Baby Boomer population. At the current rate, the Millennial surge is expected to peak in 2036 with a population of 81.1 million before giving way to the next rising generation. That means two decades of a Millennial-run America are ahead of us.
So what are the implications for Millennial domination over American politics and culture? Well, the possible effects are staggering.
As a whole, the Millennial generation is very engaged in civics and politics. In fact, in 2008 the voter turnout for young adults (aged 18-29) nearly doubled from the previous 2000 election year. Millennials are also more likely to volunteer and be involved in community service than when Boomers were of the same age. This indicates that the Millennial population will become increasingly civically and politically minded, as people tend to become more engaged politics and community as they age.
With the advent of the Internet, today’s young adults are also more inclined to engage in online political debates, discussions and forums than their Boomer predecessors. This has caused them to become an informed and politically invested population. While Boomers are statistically more likely to vote and are more engaged in face-to-face civic activities, this trend is likely to shift as Boomers age and Millennials grow into adulthood. In general, Millennials are more politically and socially engaged than Boomers were as young adults.
Over the past few decades, Boomer political leanings have been split pretty equally between the Republican and Democratic parties, creating a strongly polar political landscape. While this has caused political stalemate from time to time, it has also led to a society relatively balanced between liberalism and conservatism.
Millennials, however, tend to be more liberal in their political leanings. According to Pew Research, the majority of Millennials favor a bigger government that offers more universal social services. They also are more progressive on social issues than the Boomer generation. In fact, 68% of young adults favor both gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana.
Millennials are less likely to get married than Boomers but are more likely to marry someone of a different race. This could be partly due to the large amount of younger immigrants to America, affecting Millennial views on immigration reform as well.
The question is, what do all of these statistics mean for the future of America? While no one really knows, it can be assumed that as young adults take over American politics we will begin to see a more progressive and liberal society. Frank Luntz, a top conservative pollster, says this generation is so liberal it should frighten political leaders, according to the Huffington Post.
The unforeseen popularity of Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), in practice not a Democrat but a Socialist and independent, is an indication of this shift. Sanders largely represents the views and attitudes of Millennial young adults, who are excited about the notion of free college, equality and fair trade.
They are also excited about his apparent “realness,” as opposed to the polished, refined politicians of older generations. Quite an accomplishment for a 74-year-old who has been in Congress since 1990.
Perhaps this infatuation with a more Socialist-leaning society has to do with the fact that Millennials “have higher levels of student loan debt, poverty and unemployment, and lower levels of wealth and personal income than their two immediate predecessor generations (Gen Xers and Boomers) had at the same stage of their life cycles,” according to Pew Research.
Or, maybe it’s just a total disenchantment with the American Dream and the way the country has been run in their lifetime. Whatever the cause, it looks like a very different America is on the horizon.
Do you think America’s best years are ahead, considering the Millennial domination? In what ways do you see this country changing and shifting in the years to come?
-Stephanie Catudal
Stephanie Catudal is a mother, writer, hiker and outdoor enthusiast. She can often be found exploring the Ponderosa pine forests of Northern Arizona, or splashing in the cool waters of Sedona’s red rock canyons with her husband and two daughters. Steph is a holistic health enthusiast and finds strength in her personal pursuit of fitness and wellness. She has degrees in Media, Peace and Conflict studies and is passionate about building peace both abroad and within her community.
Sources:
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/on-retirement/2014/05/20/8-differences-between-boomers-and-millennials
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/millennials-surpass-baby-boomers-us-census-data-largest-living-generation
http://ncoc.net/226
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/why-millennials-love-bernie_b_9839450.html
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/millennials-in-adulthood
Great article! Feel the Bern!
Go Bernie! Stay alive and fighting even if you do not win the nomination…you are a light shining out there for all of us.
If this article turns out to be correct, I hope to stay alive to witness the change.
Well seeing Bernie isn’t going to be the democrat candidate (thank god!) we don’t have to worry about him ruining our country.
Yes! I want to give the US government 73% of my paycheck too! Woo-hoo! We will live the life of our dreams with the government controlling the majority of the money, EQUAL TO A CRASHING ECONOMIC SYSTEM! That’s what happens to every Socialist country, America was founded and built and prospered on Capitalism, just in the last 15-20 years we have leaned away from capitalism and towards Socialism, and look where it has gotten us. $20,000,000,000,000 in government debt, social security is on verge of collapse, businesses are leaving country from to many government regulations, and an economy not growing and producing jobs, therefore more and more people are depending on the governmentop for some form of assistance, EXACTLY WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WANT , THEN THEY CAN CONTROL MORE PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE NEED THEM!, I would rather survive on my own, than depend on them, cause when shit hits the fan, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COUNT ON THEM, if you think otherwise, GOOD LUCK in the near future!
The cream always rises to the top. It will be no different with the so-called millenials.
I would be interested in knowing how the boomers considered legalizing marihuana when they were young adults, back “in the summer of -69”. Maybe it’s not so much about a new generation with new ideas as a young generation with juvenile opinions?
USA politics are to say the least interesting to the whole world right now. A large contingent urging Americans to support Bernie here in Australia. I may have missed something. One reply suggested socialist politics have dominated since 2000 putting your country into massive debt. From what I can read it looks diametrically opposed to socialism. Cheers and may you all prosper though not necessarily in the way some would have it. X
Socialism does not work! Why would anyone even consider voting for a socialist/communist?! Look at N Korea, Soviet Union….what more does one need to not repeat history? Wake up youngsters! Get out of your idealist clouds! How silly you are. Sad, just sad….
Luckily most of these Millennials will eventually grow up and realize just how young and dumb they were voting for Bernie sanders. Luckily Bernie wont win and we wont feel the country “bern” to the ground. Remember this is a guy didnt have a real job till he was in his 40’s and was kicked out of a hippie community for being too lazy. These are not well informed people these are globalist brain washed people. However at least they arent voting for Hitlery, i mean Hillary. I have to give them credit were credit is due. I can live with people voting for bernie, Hitlery…damn I did it again, Hillary not so much.
Interestingly enough im a Millennial myself but not exactly proud of it….
The onlybthing that will change is their view on politics when they grow up and arent yiung and dumb anymore. I used to be just like them myself.
Young and dumb. They will eventually grow up and experience life. Voting for Bernie will just be a memory they look back on and laugh. Damn what was I thinking! Haha!!
People also change their views at they get older. A big portion of people start out democrat but eventually grow out if it, me included. Yes Bernie is a democrat. Unlike other democrats however hes honest about his socialist agenda. Thats why the democrat elites hate him so much, hes too honest. Well in some areas he is.
If hes so popular in australia, he should go over there and run for office. I wouldnt vote for bernie unless the only other person running was Hilary. I dont think a politician who is honest about being a socialist could ever become president in the usa. However we already have a socialist president who just hides behind the label of liberal. liberal=socialist
Thats exactly what Ive been telling people.
Richard V.: Socialism is where people are directly involved in the production of goods and services, things like cooperatives where the workers are the owners of the businesses. This doesn’t mean the government owns and manages the businesses. The business exists for the sake of providing for society, or the social good.
We’ve posted here many times about the socialistic bent of America’s forefathers. Socialism was such a fundamental inclination that our government is defined as “We The People.”
The corporatists in America try to hide this fact and purposely confuse socialism with fascism and communism.
And why didn’t you also respond to Hillary’s post?
That age group is clueless.
You sure regurgitate the propaganda like a good outer party member.
Sanders is a democratic socialist, this is nothing like communism, Denmark is a good example. While John Birchers see the Danes like a nightmare, Denmark has one of the best happiness ratings on the planet.
It’s just sad how cold war rhetoric survives in some twisted zombie state.
So profit sharing, my capitalist business owner does this already. Others do this already through stock options. Unless you are talking about a literal worker owned business, but in that case, use this great capitalist economy to start your own business, put up all the collateral and startup yourself, then give your profits away by sharing it with your employees. Our great capitalist economy allows for business owners to do this. Your model of business is free for you to choose. So start up your business and have at it. Personally, I dont want government having their hands in anything I do. Intervene only when needed and only in the face of inhumanity, have a standing military ready to defend me, and leave me alone otherwise. Cuba is socialist, so is Venezuela, I hear they are great places to be, where hard work, egenuity, and entrepreneurship pay off. Oh, I am sorry, I confused them with what we already are. I enjoy my freedoms. I will be damned if I give that up so someone can feel like they have a piece of the pie.
Socialism is fine for business owners to choose that model, maybe even a coop, but what we dont need is government imposing its will on people and demanding that they do things a certain way. Nor, God forbid, do we need government taking control of businesses and bogging them down with bureaucracy.
Socialism worked in Sweden, that is until the camel shaggers moved in