December 11, 2007
With the 2008 presidential election fast-approaching, adults aren’t the only ones discussing the issues. Many teens are just as enthusiastic about politics as their adult counterparts — sometimes even more so.
The Gallup Youth Survey conducted an online study in 2005 of teens ages 13 to 17, asking them to compare their political beliefs with those of their parents. The results contradicted some of the stereotypes concerning teens and politics.
Many people believe there is a strong correlation between youth and liberalism.
According to the survey, 25 percent of teens described their political views as conservative, 16 percent as liberal and 56 percent as moderate.
So why does the stereotype persist? People tend to remember that which is most poignant or severe, so perhaps the liberalism of the ’60s and ’70s led by the Baby Boomers can explain this discrepancy.
But, of course, this also raises the question of how people develop their political views.
According to the survey, 71 percent of teens believe their political views are about the same as their parents’.
However, most teens don’t simply internalize the party loyalties of parents, said Michael McDevitt, a Colorado University-Boulder professor of journalism and mass communication.
In an article released by the university, McDevitt said teens tend to possess more radical ideas, whether liberal or conservative, and many don’t identify with either major political party.
The formation of political beliefs is a long and continual process that begins in early childhood and, for some people, never ends. Much of what we believe is shaped by our family, our education, our religion and our economic background.
A lot of young people, however, don’t consider politics from an economic standpoint and instead are much more concerned with social issues involving personal freedoms.
Of course, many young people align themselves politically to stand out. Radical concepts are supported overwhelmingly by America’s youth.
Take the Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, for example, whose controversial economic and social views have made him incredibly popular with teenagers and young voters.
Communism, socialism and other extremist political systems are similarly popular, but not just because it’s cool to be different. Many teenagers are frustrated with the existing state of government in the U.S. and are more willing to consider the options with an open mind than adults. Perhaps this is idealistic, but at least they’re getting involved.
A recent poll conducted by Youth Intelligence and OTX found that 85 percent of 14- to 18-year-olds said they would have voted in the 2004 election if they could have.
So, regardless of their political beliefs or how they go about acquiring them, it’s important to note that the next generation of Americans is ready to rock the vote.
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