Through a nationally representative survey of 1,286 individuals aged 18-29 that took place following the presidential election in November, the report How Does Gen Z Really Feel About Democracy? Insights from Three Profiles of Youth and Democracy found that most young people (about 63 percent) have a “passive appreciation” of democracy.
Published by Protect Democracy and the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) in April, three profiles of the youth emerged based on participants’ perspectives around the principles of democracy; the importance of protecting civil rights; the justifiability of political violence; support for bipartisan cooperation; experience of affective polarization; and confidence in democracy.
“Generation Z has grown up at a tumultuous time in American life,” according to the report. “Their teenage years and young adulthood, and therefore their civic development, have been defined by a global pandemic, economic instability, major political shifts, increases in school shootings, activist movements on issues like racism and climate, and the rise of social media and digital platforms as a primary means of communication.”
Such factors feed into a narrative that the generation is a “monolithic” one that is cynical and more skeptical of democracy than older Americans, the report asserts. However, the survey’s findings counter that presumption, at least to an extent.
Those who fit the passive appreciation profile feel the most positive about democracy. “These young people trust government institutions, have a high regard for democratic principles, and reject authoritarianism and political violence,” according to the report. “That satisfaction and trust may be leading to complacency: this group is generally disengaged from forms of political action other than voting, and their lack of civic participation is a potential problem for the health of our democracy.”
Thirty-one percent of youth surveyed align with the dismissive attachment profile, which “includes young people who do not express that they value core democratic principles and processes, have low confidence in the system as it is working now, and demonstrate higher support for authoritarian governance compared to youth with other profiles,” the report states. “While they do vote at a similar rate to their peers, they participate minimally in other forms of political action.”
Just 7 percent match the hostile dissatisfaction profile, which “represents young people who value the core principles of democracy but are highly displeased with democracy as they are experiencing it today,” the report reads. “They are also the most politically active young people and they express the highest support for political violence; they are so highly polarized, and their frustrations with the current system run so deep that they are more willing to consider extreme measures to achieve political goals.”
The report draws two main takeaways from the survey:
- There is a general feeling among Gen Z adults that democracy has value and a commitment to its core principles although differences prevail between their ideal vision of democracy and beliefs about its current failures (which can cause detachment).
- Democratic attitudes for these youth are driven by their experiences of civic development more so than their identity (race, gender, where they reside, etc.). “The work of strengthening democratic attitudes is, in large part, the work of supporting all youth for democratic engagement,” the report states.
As none of the profiles are representative of an ideal relationship with democracy, the report aims to find ways to understand how to effectively engage each group and better their connection to it.
One recommendation offered is creating more access to opportunities centered on civic learning and engagement.
Learn more about the profiles, survey results and recommendations in the report.
