Members of the millennial generation are cynical about the political process according to a recent poll of 19-to-29 olds. They were also found to be incredibly distrustful of the institutions of the American government, concerned about economic inequality in the country, and exhibit low interest in the midterm elections.
Over half of the respondents to the survey, taken by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, said they think that elected officials do not have their best interests at heart, and do not share their in their priorities. They also believe that they are motivated by selfish reasons. Less than a quarter of those polled said that they will even be voting in November. This is the lowest level of interest in any election since 2000.
The poll found that millennials trust in American institutions, such as the president, military, and the Supreme Court, has greatly declined over the years. it also found that millenials are jaded about politics and politicians. Fifty-eight percent agreed with the statement that “Elected officials don’t seem to have the same priorities that I have”. Only nine percent disagreed. Sixty-two percent agreed with the statement, “Elected officials seem to be motivated by selfish reasons,” while only 7 percent disagreed.
But the poll also found an a glimmer of hope among millennials in the idea that each generation can do as well as or better than their parents. Forty-one percent said they believed when they are their parents’ age, they will be better off financially than their parents are now, 28 percent said they believed they would be doing about the same as their parents, and only 15 percent expected to be worse off financially.
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