A Summary of Generation Next

The Pew Research Center has come out with a survey describing the lifestyles, values and beliefs of 18-25 year olds that they call "A Portrait of 'Generation Next.'"  It's a 45 page document and I have put a summary of their findings in the post continuation below.

A few things stand out to me.

The message of conservatives, both religious and political conservatives, doesn't seem to have gained much traction with this generation.  On the political end of things, it is noteworthy that the majority of this age group thinks immigration is a good thing, supports gay marriage and votes Democratic.

On the religious end of things the number of those in this age group who are atheists or have no religious affiliation has doubled since 1980 and only 4% think becoming more spiritual is the most important thing in life. 

I also got a kick out of how many from this age group have tattoos and piercings.  Survey says:

About half of Gen Nexters say they have either gotten a tattoo, dyed their hair an untraditional color, or had a body piercing in a place other than their ear lobe.

The reason I got a kick out of it is that I used to be a youth minister in a very conservative southern environment and tattoos and piercings were a battleground in that environment as they were often seen as signs of rebellion against traditional, religious, conservative values.  If that's the case, it looks like the rebellion is growing.

But here's the upshot of it all.  As one who has lived in the conservative environment for a long time, it seems that the conservative message has not connected with the younger generation.  And speaking only of Christian conservatives, it seems to me that we will face some major decisions in the future.

The decision is whether we will redouble our efforts to press the conservative social and political agenda or will redouble our efforts to press the message of the cross.  When Paul says that he entered the Corinthian culture resolving to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified (I Cor. 2:2) he showed a very narrow, laser-like focus for his ministry.  There were many other things he could have addressed from a biblical perspective, but he wanted to only focus on Christ and him crucified.

As I say this, I am not calling for cultural withdrawal.  I am still fully on board with the whole Kuyperian worldview, but I do believe we ought to rethink our priorities and methods.

See the post continuation for the summary of the Pew findings.

HT - CatalystSpace

Meet Generation Next:

• They use technology and the internet to connect with people in new and distinctive ways.
Text messaging, instant messaging and email keep them in constant contact with friends.
About half say they sent or received a text message over the phone in the past day,
approximately double the proportion of those ages 26-40.

• They are the “Look at Me” generation. Social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace and
MyYearbook allow individuals to post a personal profile complete with photos and
descriptions of interests and hobbies. A majority of Gen Nexters have used one of these
social networking sites, and more than four-in-ten have created a personal profile.

• Their embrace of new technology has made them uniquely aware of its advantages and
disadvantages. They are more likely than older adults to say these cyber-tools make it easier
for them to make new friends and help them to stay close to old friends and family. But more
than eight-in-ten also acknowledge that these tools “make people lazier.”

• About half of Gen Nexters say the growing number of immigrants to the U.S. strengthens
the country – more than any generation. And they also lead the way in their support for gay
marriage and acceptance of interracial dating.

• Beyond these social issues, their views defy easy categorization. For example, Generation
Next is less critical of government regulation of business but also less critical of business
itself. And they are the most likely of any generation to support privatization of the Social
Security system.

• They maintain close contact with parents and family. Roughly eight-in-ten say they talked
to their parents in the past day. Nearly three-in-four see their parents at least once a week,
and half say they see their parents daily. One reason: money. About three-quarters of Gen
Nexters say their parents have helped them financially in the past year.

• Their parents may not always be pleased by what they see on those visits home: About half
of Gen Nexters say they have either gotten a tattoo, dyed their hair an untraditional color,
or had a body piercing in a place other than their ear lobe. The most popular are tattoos, which decorate the bodies of more than a third of these young adults.

• One-in-five members of Generation Next say they have no religious affiliation or are atheist
or agnostic, nearly double the proportion of young people who said that in the late 1980s.
And just 4% of Gen Nexters say people in their generation view becoming more spiritual as
their most important goal in life.

• They are somewhat more interested in keeping up with politics and national affairs than were
young people a generation ago. Still, only a third say they follow what’s going on in government and public affairs “most of the time.”

• In Pew surveys in 2006, nearly half of young people (48%) identified more with the
Democratic Party, while just 35% affiliated more with the GOP. This makes Generation
Next the least Republican generation.

• Voter turnout among young people increased significantly between 2000 and 2004,
interrupting a decades-long decline in turnout among the young. Nonetheless, most members
of Generation Next feel removed from the political process. Only about four-in-ten agree
with the statement: “It’s my duty as a citizen to always vote.”

• They are significantly less cynical about government and political leaders than are other
Americans or the previous generation of young people. A majority of Americans agree with
the statement: “When something is run by the government, it is usually inefficient and
wasteful,” but most Generation Nexters reject this idea.

• Their heroes are close and familiar. When asked to name someone they admire, they are
twice as likely as older Americans to name a family member, teacher, or mentor. Moreover,
roughly twice as many young people say they most admire an entertainer rather than a
political leader.

• They are more comfortable with globalization and new ways of doing work. They are the
most likely of any age group to say that automation, the outsourcing of jobs, and the growing
number of immigrants have helped and not hurt American workers.

• Asked about the life goals of those in their age group, most Gen Nexters say their
generation’s top goals are fortune and fame. Roughly eight-in-ten say people in their
generation think getting rich is either the most important, or second most important, goal in
their lives. About half say that becoming famous also is valued highly by fellow Gen
Nexters.

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Comments

[GL]

David,

I've not read the Pew report but here's a relevant question-- did they account for this age cohort's stage in the lifecourse? It's commonly understood that youth beliefs and behaviors undergo transformation as they move through the lifecourse. What is important is to dis-entangle cohort effects change from lifecourse effects.

[David Wayne]

You know that's a great question - I actually thought of that after I posted the thing - you asked it much better and more eloquently that I had thought of. I'm actually not through the whole thing yet but I haven't seen that addressed.

[Greg]

I think that Paul had it right. After all the US is pretty similar to Corith in many ways. If we focus on the message (Christ), the social part should take care of itself. As for the tattoos and piercings? Well as our youth pastor's shirt says... "Jesus loves me and my tattoos"

[garver]

That's fascinating stuff. Thanks for sharing it.

It's especially interesting to me as a GenX college professor who teaches GenNext students (or Millennials or whatever we're calling them these days). The Pew report rings true to my experience here at an urban, northeastern, Catholic university.

Most of the time I feel very much at home with the GenNexters in a lot of these areas (technology, being a Democrat, immigration, etc.), though I still harbor a high degree of Xer cynicism about politics.

What resonates with me most is the way in which evangelical complicity with right-wing politics has compromised the clarity of the Gospel, allowing all sorts of secondary issues on which Christians can conscientiously disagree get in the way of making the person of Jesus known.

[Mwalimu Daudi]

Given the liberal political views of GenXers, one would think that leftist denominations would be making major gains in church membership among them.

However, with my former denomination at least, this has not been the case. The ELCA's membership continues to dwindle and get older. This is surprising to me given how much the ELCA's leadership has subordinated the Gospel in favor of social and political issues (such as homosexuality, immigration, the Iraq War, tax cuts, etc.).

I think the ELCA's failure (and perhaps the failure of other leftist denominations) is the type of Jesus they portray. While conservative denominations are often accused (with some justice) of putting up a judgemental and legalistic Jesus, I see the ELCA's Jesus as a dismal milquetoast whose only clear moral statements seem to emerge when the leadership wants to denounce President Bush or some other Republican leader or policy. GenXers who agree with the ELCA's political goals can simply join any number of leftist political and social organizations without the "religious" baggage of a church.

A Christianity stripped of politics would be a wonderful idea. Salvation is not based upon political party registration. To the degree denominations of both the Left and Right do not see this, the GenXers will continue to avoid church.

[pgepps]

Another thing to "disentangle" (GL's question is excellent) is in the comments:

"Generation Next" (a silly marketing-survey name)
is not the same as
"Generation X" (another silly marketing-survey name) or
"Generation Y" (the intervening silly marketing-survey name).

I'm a 32-year-old, single teacher and PhD candidate who rents, owns a car, uses a cellphone but not SMS, remembers both Reagan and Clinton, remembers records but owned cassettes before CDs, came of political "age" in the 90s, and is slightly more socially conservative than the average Boomer, though not particularly outspoken on social issues.

I'm Generation X. Those 18-25 year olds are my students.

Cheers,
PGE