Younger Americans are bummed out over the nation’s political fighting, with nearly half expressing “anxiety” that is challenging their mental health, according to the landmark Harvard University Institute of Politics Youth Poll.
Some 48% of all polled, and 51% of those likely to vote, said that they felt anxiety over the prior 24 hours, a typical measure of emotions. Slightly more felt calmness.
The polling director, John Della Volpe, highlighted those findings in expressing concern about the emotions of younger voters affected by the political wars in Washington.
JUST RELEASED: New analysis from our Harvard IOP Youth Poll, examining the political views and values of young Americans ages 18 to 29. #HarvardYouthPoll
Here are 5 takeaways about America’s young voters ⬇️ https://t.co/8zArBSS2Yn
— Institute of Politics (@harvardiop) April 22, 2019
“It is no secret that social media has exacerbated the stress and anxiety that is already so prevalent in the late-teen and early-adulthood years of young Americans. However, for the first time, we now have evidence that the state of our politics is contributing to the mental health challenges millions of young Americans already face,” said Della Volpe.
“To empower young voters, to persuade them to vote requires candidates willing to share and align their values with this emerging generation — and understanding the stress inherent in our politics today is a critical first step,” he added.
In reviewing the results on MSNBC, he warned that younger voters, especially those in the youngest cohort, Generation Z, are more eager than ever to vote, and against Republicans.
Half of young Americans experience anxiety, and it is correlated with views related to the state of our nation #HarvardYouthPoll
Read more: https://t.co/w3ZY0LaeBB pic.twitter.com/uuV7BRclXQ
— Institute of Politics (@harvardiop) April 22, 2019
“Winter is coming, and folks ought to be prepared,” he said — using a “Game of Thrones” reference — of the poll that found many are so plugged into politics that more than 4 in 5 check their phone at least once a day for political news.
The poll found that younger voters, 18-29, are not happy with President Trump and the GOP, or the direction of the country.
And they feel that older baby boomers are not on their side.
However, they back two baby boomer Democrats for president by a wide margin. Their top pick is Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., at 29%, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden, at 18%.
The youngest candidates, former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg are in the single digits. Some 8% would pick O’Rourke and just 1% Buttigieg.
Key findings from the poll’s executive summary just released:
- 43% say they are likely to vote in the 2020 presidential primaries and caucuses.
- By wide margins, younger Americans do not believe that the Baby Boom generation, especially elected officials within that cohort, “care about people like them.”
- Protecting the environment is now central to both domestic and foreign policy agendas of young Americans. 46% say “government should do more to curb climate change, even at the expense of economic growth.” 34% of young Americans believe that “protecting the environment” should be a top goal of U.S. foreign policy.
- 61% are “concerned about the moral direction of the country.”
- Nearly 3-in-5 (59%) young Americans who strongly agree that “politics today are no longer able to meet the challenges our country is facing” experienced anxiety.
- 58% are concerned that gun violence will affect them or someone close to them.
