• Political affairs -> Democracy

• 0 Comment

Are young people more likely to engage in political activism than older generations?

Lucero Moyce

Well, well, well, folks! It's time to tackle a topic that has been the subject of numerous debates and discussions: whether young people are more politically active than their older counterparts.

Let's start with the basics, shall we? When we say "political activism," we're referring to any action taken to influence or change political policies or structures. This can include protesting, organizing rallies, writing letters to politicians, or even just casting a vote.

Now, to answer the question: it's a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, we have a lot of evidence that suggests young people are more politically engaged than ever before. For starters, nearly 90% of millennials believe it's their responsibility to vote, and many are taking that to heart.

During the 2018 midterm elections, for example, there was a significant increase in voter turnout among young people. In fact, according to one study, people between the ages of 18-29 made up 13% of the overall electorate, which is a higher percentage than in any other midterm election in the past 25 years.

But it's not just voting that young people are passionate about. Social media has also made it easier than ever for young people to organize and spread the word about important issues. The rise of movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter can be largely credited to young people who are using their online platforms to raise awareness and effect change.

So, with all of this evidence, it would seem that yes, young people *are* more likely to engage in political activism than older generations.

But hold your horses, because it's not quite that simple. While it's true that young people are more likely to be vocal about their political views, older people still hold a great deal of power when it comes to actually making change. They're more likely to hold positions of authority and they're more likely to be involved in the policymaking process.

Furthermore, older generations may have a more nuanced understanding of political issues simply because they've had more time to experience the consequences of those policies. A 60-year-old who has lived through multiple elections and has seen the long-term effects of different policies might have a more informed perspective than a 20-year-old who is just starting to engage with politics.

So, in conclusion, the answer to the question "Are young people more likely to engage in political activism than older generations?" is... complicated. While there's plenty of evidence to suggest that young people are more likely to be involved in politics, we can't discount the experiences and perspectives of older people. At the end of the day, it's a team effort and we need every generation to work together if we want to make lasting change.