OPINION: Young people lack trust in the American Dream

I spend a lot of time in student-oriented settings and in the company of young people. I am always impressed by their energy, their idealism, and the breadth of their knowledge. It makes me hopeful. But the world we’re leaving them is filled with challenges. Young people today are deeply concerned about the state of our nation, I find. At the same time, they are not always eager to participate fully in our democracy. They do plan to vote but are ambivalent about their choices. For the most part, they do not have any political heroes. They are dissatisfied with current leaders and believe they are heading the country in the wrong direction. They believe the American Dream is slipping away. Even though unemployment is low, and inflation has cooled, young people do not think the economy is doing well. Like most Americans, they see the economy, health care, and the cost of living as important issues facing the country, especially the cost of living. These are my observations, but they align with research. It confirms that the so-called Generation Z, those born since 1997, and the slightly older Millennials tend to be skeptical of what government can accomplish. They do not see politics as especially relevant to their lives. In surveys, 60 percent of young people say the country is “heading in the wrong direction.” A similar percentage say the American Dream — a successful career, upward mobility, home ownership, etc. — is something their elders could achieve but that will be elusive for them. Young people are aware of world affairs, and they want the United States to be involved, but they don’t expect us to play a dominant or even a leadership role. They came of age during our “endless wars” in Iraq and Afghanistan and are leery of efforts to shape world events. They are much less likely than older Americans to agree with the statement that the United States is the greatest country. The late Madeleine Albright’s claim that the U.S. is “the indispensable nation” would not resonate with them. Nearly three-fourths of Americans ages 18 to 34 say they are likely to vote this year, according to research by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. But will they? Turnout by young voters has historically been dismal. In the November 2022 midterm elections, only one-quarter of 18-29-year-olds voted. Young people are, however, much more attuned than older generations to certain issues, especially climate change. They are supportive of policy changes like shifting away from reliance on fossil fuels. They are deeply concerned about gun violence. Their elementary and high-school experience was marked by active-shooter drills, lockdowns, and news coverage of mass shootings. Finally, compared to their elders, young people are more likely to see immigration as a net benefit for the United States. The younger generation may be skeptical about politics, but I’m impressed with how public-spirited many are as they consider career plans. They’re interested in public service: government, teaching, health care, and more. They care about their local communities. Many express an interest in running for public office someday. Young people have always played key roles in American history. Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he drafted the Declaration of Independence. Martin Luther King, Jr. was 26 when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. John F. Kennedy was 43 when he was elected president. Today’s young people will chart the course for the future. They need our support and encouragement.                    

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Lee Hamilton, 93, is a senior advisor for the Indiana University (IU) Center on Representative Government, distinguished scholar at the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, and professor of practice at the IU O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Hamilton, a Democrat, was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years (1965-1999), representing a district in south-central Indiana.