For young Americans, politics breaks the American dream instead of building it

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September 14th, 2023

Emmy Adams, of Golden, Colo., joins Jorge Flores and Carlitos Rodriguez, both survivors of the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and Nia Arrington and Christian Carter, activists from Pittsburgh, from left, in singing during the kickoff event for the Vote For Our Lives movement to register voters, Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Clement Park in Littleton, Colo. The event was held on the eve of the 19th anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School, which is located on the east end of the park southwest of Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Gen Z and millennials have high hopes for the future. Except when it comes to politics.

That’s according to a new report exclusively obtained by NPR from the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University, examining the goals and values of younger Americans today.

The survey of 1,568 adults between 18 and 34 found that young people are optimistic about their futures and envision becoming more successful than their parents. But they express more negativity when thinking about the effect the government and political system will have on their lives in the coming decades.

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