Four-times-indicted former president Donald Trump has been successfully selling white Christian nostalgia, racism and xenophobia to his base. However, the Public Religion Research Institute’s massive poll of 6,616 participants suggests that what works with his base might pose an insurmountable problem with Gen Z teens and Gen Z adults (who are younger than 25).

Demographically, this cohort of voters bears little resemblance to Trump’s older, whiter, more religious followers. “In addition to being the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in our nation’s history, Gen Z adults also identify as LGBTQ at much higher rates than older Americans,” the PRRI poll found. “Like millennials, Gen Zers are also less likely than older generations to affiliate with an established religion.”

Those characteristics suggest Gen Z will favor a progressive message that incorporates diversity and opposes government imposition of religious views. Indeed, “Gen Z adults (21%) are less likely than all generational groups except millennials (21%) to identify as Republican.” Though 36 percent of Gen Z adults identify as Democrats, their teenage counterparts are more likely to be independents (51 percent) than older generations.

  • AA5B@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    I blame peer groups, whether Facebook or real life. Of my three brothers and I, with the same upbringing and with a very progressive Mom, all of our political compasses are roughly inline with what you’d expect for where we live, work and play. I don’t know if it’s cause or affect, but the demographics fit

    • as an Ivy League graduate, one time co-op member, living in Boston working a tech job I’m leaning harder progressive every year.
    • my brother in the Midwest living in a McMansion working for a major auto manufacturer is trending conservative over time
    • my two brothers in the DC area working for the government, are most conservative.