Youth Disengagement in U.S. Politics

• In Event: Who's in Charge? Youth Dissent and Leadership

Short Description

The 2016 U.S. election looked nothing like the Millennial movement of 2008. Where were the youth this time around? Find out why the youngest voting generation was not out in force and how they are using their disconnection, disengagement, and disenchantment with politics as a platform to create social change.

Detailed Abstract

Born 1995-2010, Generation Z is a remarkably different generation than the highly researched and publicized predecessor Millennial generation. When it comes to politics, the Millennials made the news as the social media canvassers that propelled Obama to victory. Yet, data from the 2016 election have shown that not only did youth not vote at rates as high as Obama’s 2008 election (Hendrickson & Galston, 2016), but early state reports show that our youngest voters had the lowest turnout rates for 2016 of any age group. For example, states such as North Carolina had a more than 20% lower turnout rate for the 2016 election for 18-24 year olds than those over 66 (Bitzer, 2017). National reports have yet to be released, but will likely mirror those of the states.

Lower youth voter turnout is not a new phenomenon. Research continues to show that a higher percentage of eligible voters cast ballots as they move up in age group (File, 2014), meaning a higher percentage of older people vote than younger people. Several theories around lower turnout rates for youth center around apathy, lack of local community embeddedness, and more so disconnection with issues. Brennan and Cook (2016) point out that youth have felt a lack of investment in elections because the candidates tend to focus on issues unrelated to them (eg. social security, taxes military intervention, etc.). Unlike earlier youth cohorts, though, most in Generation Z care deeply about what might be perceived as “grownup issues” like the economy and human rights and the implications of these issues on themselves and others (Seemiller & Grace, 2016).

Despite their connection to and concern with political issues, Generation Z, like their youth predecessors, appear to be following a low voter turnout trend. But, their reasoning for skipping the ballot box is different in that it reflects not wanting to participate in a system they believe is grounded in corruption, greed, and dishonesty (Seemiller & Grace, 2016). Thus it is no surprise that Generation Z desires social change but does not see political participation as the vehicle to do it, leading them to channel their energy into other social change arenas where they are heavily engaged and connected.

This presentation will highlight findings from several studies about the characteristics, perspectives, motivations, and concerns of Generation Z as they relate to political involvement, interests, and leadership. Further, issues of youth spaces, adultism, technology, and entrepreneurship will be discussed as they intersect with political participation. Ideas for helping those in other generations help re-engage youth in the political process will be offered.

Participant

• Corey Seemiller, Wright State University