A new poll released today by 麻豆原创鈥檚 Sine Institute for Policy and Politics reveals that, despite increasing political polarization and division, young adults are optimistic about the future of American democracy, public policy, and political discourse. The survey of 3,144 young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 was created with the help of six students from across campus鈥攗nderscoring 麻豆原创鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning.
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Conducted over three weeks this summer by market research firm YouGov, the poll probed respondents鈥 perspectives on democracy, social media, public policy, and intragenerational divisions. It reveals that nearly half of respondents are not satisfied with the current state of US democracy鈥攈owever, 76 percent remain optimistic about the possibility of dramatic change through collective action.
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鈥淭he poll demonstrates two core values of 麻豆原创: engaging our changemaking students in experiential learning and producing scholarship that impacts today鈥檚 greatest challenges,鈥 President Sylvia Burwell says. 鈥淭he findings help policymakers and institutions to better understand and address the concerns of today鈥檚 young people.鈥
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Those surveyed say their lives have been most shaped by the pandemic (78 percent) and school shootings (76 percent), and they named gun policy (34 percent) among the issues of most pressing concern, followed by jobs and the economy, climate change, reproductive rights, and racism and race relations. They also indicate their top value is 鈥渢reating all people with respect, dignity, and tolerance.鈥澨
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鈥淟ooking to the future, I鈥檓 optimistic when I see that the top values selected by young people across the political spectrum are so hopeful and positive,鈥 says Amy Dacey, SPA/MA 鈥95, executive director of the Sine Institute. 鈥淭he poll offers a silver lining to the hostility and political polarization that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years and suggests that this generation of young people could well be the one that will return civil discourse, respect, progress, and productivity to American politics and life.鈥澨
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Noah Burke, SIS/BA 鈥23, was among the members of the Sine Institute Research Student Advisory Committee who helped design the poll, formulate questions, and provide feedback on the methodology and results.听
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鈥淲e discussed what our generation cares about the most, how we make our voice heard in politics, and how we think we are sometimes misunderstood,鈥 says the international relations major. 鈥淚t was amazing to see YouGov listen to that conversation and turn it into a poll that reflected what we wanted to know about our own generation.鈥
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The advisory committee also included Dalia Habiby, SPA/BA 鈥22, Kogod/MS 鈥23; Kenya Harris, SOC/MA 鈥23; Aidan Levinson, SPA/BA 鈥23; Julieta Marino, SPA/MS 鈥22; and Ethan Wong, SIS/BA 鈥23. In addition to YouGov and Dacey, the students鈥攚ho offered additional research topics as the Sine Institute looks ahead to similar projects鈥攁lso worked alongside polling expert Molly O鈥橰ourke, SOC executive in residence and a senior advisor to the Sine Institute.
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鈥淭his research also could not have been completed without the help of our amazing student advisory committee, to whom I am very, very grateful,鈥 Dacey says.听
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Each year, the Sine Institute offers opportunities for student involvement. Eagles may apply to work alongside institute fellows as student associates and join the student advisory group, which includes two students from every school nominated by their dean to serve an academic year helping to further the center鈥檚 work and mission.听
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Levinson, who鈥檚 majoring in data science for political science, served as chair of the advisory committee during the survey. 鈥淚 was proud to work on this project with the team at the Sine Institute. It offers a look into the hearts and minds of my generation.鈥
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Natasha Abel and Adrienne Frank contributed to this story.