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Summary: "Gen Nexters" See
Negative Behaviors Becoming More Prevalent
A
majority of young adults believe that “getting rich” is the main goal of
most people in their age group, and large majorities believe that casual
sex, binge drinking, illegal drug use and violence are more prevalent among
young people today than was the case 20 years ago.
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In a study conducted by the Pew Research Center,
researchers focused on young adults ages 18-25 (referred to as
“Generation Next” in this report) and explored their outlook on
life, their lifestyle and their politics. Researchers found that
these groups of young adults are generally happy with their lives
and optimistic about their futures. They feel that educational and
job opportunities are better for them today than for the previous
generation. At the same time, many of their attitudes and priorities
reflect a limited set of life experiences. Marriage, children and an
established career remain in the future for most of those in this
age group. Most “Gen Nexters” say their generation’s top goals are
fortune and fame. Roughly eight-in-ten people think their
generation’s most important or second most important goal life goal
is getting rich. More than two-thirds of those polled see their
generation as unique and distinct. A majority says that “getting
rich” is the main goal of most people in their age group, and large
majorities believe that casual sex, binge drinking, illegal drug use
and violence are more prevalent among young people today than was
the case 20 years ago. One in five of those polled said they have no
religious affiliation or are atheist or agnostic, nearly double the
proportion of young people who said that in the late 1980s. Just 4%
of “Gen Nexters” say people in their generation view becoming more
spiritual as their most important goal in life. As far as abortion
issues go, 15% of “Gen Nexters” say abortion should not be permitted
at all as compared to 11% of the general public. 1
1How
Young People View Their Lives, Futures and Politics: A Portrait of
“Generation Next”,
The Pew Research Center, January 9, 2007, pp. 1-45.
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