Americans are incredibly split when it comes to our political beliefs. Politics greatly impact our everyday life and how we view others. Parents tend to raise their children according to their own
political beliefs, and when their children's views differ from their's, things can get awkward. Teens becoming involved in politics is more important than ever, and usually their parents beliefs are all they will ever know. The radical difference in political beliefs impact teenagers more than adults know.
A survey of children ages 13 to 17 conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that teens in America are almost as politically disappointed and pessimistic about the nation’s political divisions as their parents.
But the biggest difference is teens aren’t as quick to ignore the future.
Eight out of ten teens feel that Americans are divided when it comes to the nation’s most important values and 6 out of ten 10 said the country is headed in the wrong direction.
6 percent of all of the teens surveyed believe America’s best days are ahead. Compared with the 52 percent of adults from an AP-NORC poll conducted in June 2016 who said the nation’s best days are behind it.
Like adults, the polls reveal heavy division along familiar lines with teenagers.
25% of teens say they have lots in common with people of different political beliefs. 75% say they already have a party preference, 29 percent who say they’ll be Democrats, 23 percent Republicans and 24 percent independent or another party.
The political divide among teens in America is real, and the consequences are great. Recognizing this divide is increasingly important. To create real change, and to move the world along to a better future, we cannot let this divide hold us back. Our difference of opinions is what make this world run. We need to continually challenge ourselves, we need to be asking questions and speaking up. We need to be discussing and debating issues that are important to us. Our difference is what makes us strong. We would never be where we are today if we all thought the same. Our differences need to be embraced if we ever hope to see our world become the place we want it to be.
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Sources-
Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics and Privacy - OCTOBER 10, 2019
How partisans view each other - PARTISAN ANTIPATHY: MORE INTENSE, MORE PERSONAL
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/10/the-partisan-landscape-and-views-of-the-parties/ Used for all graphs and charts shown as well as many statistics.
The Denver Post - By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Written by By Gillian Flaccus
PUBLISHED: February 28, 2017 at 12:57 a.m. | UPDATED: February 28, 2017 at 8:40 a.m.
U.S. teens disillusioned, divided by politics, poll says
https://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/28/ap-norc-poll-us-teens-disillusioned-divided-by-politics/ Used for several statistics and found image on page
Beth Nakamura, The Oregonian via AP - Use of main image on this post with teens marching
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