00 harvard university survey of young americans’ attitudes towards politics

8/9/2019 00 Harvard University Survey of Young Americans Attitudes Towards Politics

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Survey of Young Americans AttitudesToward Politics and Public Service:17th EditionInstitute of Politics, Harvard University

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Key Findings & Highlights Presented at The Brookings InstitutionMarch 9, 2010


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Overview

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Our national survey of Millennials (18-29 Americans) was conducted between January

29 and February 22, 2010. All fieldwork was conducted by Knowledge Networks.

N=3,117 web-enabled interviews were completed in English (91%) and Spanish (9%).

The margin of error is +/- 2.3% at the 95% confidence level.

Areas probed include:

- Political preferences and activity, including voting in the 2010 midterms;

- Opinions of President Obama and Congress;

- Trust in American and international institutions;

- Political ideology and world view;

- The personal effects of the current economy; and

- The use of social networking tools such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.


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Key Findings & Highlights

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More detailed analysis and information available at iop.harvard.edu


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#3

U.S. Military Most Trusted Institution Surveyed

#2Republicans Eying Midterms

#1

President Obamas Job Performance Stable Since

November

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5

0%

15%

30%

45%

60%

Barack Obama Democrats in Congress Republicans in Congress

November 2009 February 2010

Approval RatingsIn general, do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of:

-- % who Approve --


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0%

20%

40%

60%

Health care Economy Iran Afghanistan Federal deficit

November 2009 February 2010

Obama Job PerformanceNow thinking specifically about President Barack Obama, do you approve or

disapprove of the way he is handling:

-- -- % who Approve --


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U.S. Military

Supreme Court

President

United Nations

Federal govt.

Congress

Traditional media

Cable news

Wall Street Executives

0% 20% 40% 60%

TrustHow often do you trust to do the right thing?

-- % who say All of the time/Most of the time --


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#6

Nearly Half of Undergraduates

Concerned About Staying in College

#5

Majority Concerned About Keeping Their Head

Above Water

#4

Economic Anxiety is Palpable

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18-24

25-292-yr College

4-yr College

Democrat

Republican

Independent

White

African American

Hispanic/Eng

Hispanic/Span

Male

Female

0% 20% 40% 60%

Personal Financial SituationHow would you rate your personal financial situation these days? -

-- % who say Very/Fairly Bad --


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The American DreamIn general, when I am my parent's age, I believe that I will be better off

financially, worse off financially, about the same or not sure?


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Meeting your bills and obligations

Affording a place to live

Affording health care

Ability to live in the city or town that you want to

Staying in college*

0% 20% 40% 60%

Economic ConcernsGiven the current economy, how concerned are you with the following?

-- % who say Very/Somewhat concerned --

* Asked only among college students


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Deficit

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0%

20%

40%

60%

Boost the economy Keep deficit down

Which of the following two statements comes closer to your point of view?

Statement A: The President

and the Congress shouldworry more about boosting

the economy even though it

may mean larger budget

deficits now and in the

future.

Statement B: The President

and Congress should worrymore about keeping the

budget deficit down, even

though it may mean it will

take longer for the economy

to recover.

WSJ/NBC - 10/09 (18+) IOP - 02/10 (18-29)


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#9

Millennials Emerging Ideology Shaped by Social

Justice and Role of the U.S. Military

#8Honor of Political Engagement is Questioned

#7

Millennials Remain Committed to Community Service

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For more information:

Esten Perez

Director of Communications

[email protected]

John Della Volpe

Director of Polling

[email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

00 harvard university survey of young americans’ attitudes towards politics

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