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America’s Youth
Surveying
America’s Youth

Methodology

GenNext (ages 18-25) is the only survey of young Americans that’s conceived and conducted by young Americans. This unique design provides us all with insight into how young Americans feel and think about their present and future.

Significant & Subtle Differences Among Generations on Abortion Rights and Charitable Activities

Adult members of Gen Z (ages 18-29) are more motivated to vote by their views on the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade than other Americans in other generations.

24% of Gen Z say they oppose the Court’s decision overturning abortion rights, and it is a main factor motivating their vote. This compares with 18% of Millennials, 15% of Gen X, 15% of Baby Boomers, and 8% of the Silent/Greatest generation.

Gen Z is most likely to hold views at the extremes of the laws regulating abortion rights.

Members of Gen Z had the highest percentage saying abortion should be allowed “at any time during a pregnancy” (27%) AND the highest percentage saying if there were laws limiting abortion, those laws should have no exceptions for things like rape or incest (19%).

Full Report
Survey Data

Student Resarcher: Neel Viswanathan

Marist Poll Advisor: Daniela Charter

Whether volunteering for charity or political campaigns, Gen Z is much more likely to give their time than members of older generations.

72% of Gen Z say they have volunteered for an organization or association at least once or twice a year in the past two years. This compares with 55% of Millennials, 48% of Gen X, 40% of Boomers, and 26% of the Silent/Greatest.

When it comes to donating money as opposed to time, there is somewhat less difference between Gen Z and other generations.

For instance, Gen Z is the least likely to report having donated money to charitable or non-profit organizations in the prior two years, but the differences are small: Gen Z (77%), Millennials (82%), Gen X (78%), Boomers (86%), Silent/Greatest (85%). Conversely, Gen Z is the most likely to say they’ve given money to a candidate or party in the prior two years: Gen Z (39%), Millennials (35%), Gen X (26%), Boomers (22%), Silent/Greatest (33%).

Full Report
Survey Data

Student Resarcher: Krystyna Lubrano

Marist Poll Advisors: Daniela Charter, Jay DeDapper

Previous Results

What is GenNext?

GenNext is an innovative research project from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion that captures the opinions of Americans, ages 18 to 25, to illuminate the issues and topics that motivate, inspire, and excite America’s next generation of leaders.

And here’s the twist – student researchers mount each survey from start to finish. Working alongside professionals at the Marist Poll, Marist students determine what to ask and how to ask it.

In doing so, they learn best practices for measuring public opinion, including information and data fluency, identifying topics, writing scientifically rigorous questionnaires, and collecting, analyzing, and reporting the results of the survey to the public.