Passing the Torch: Millennials' Attitudes Towards Civic and Political Engagement

Presented at the Northeastern Political Science Association Conference

The Millennial Generation is approximately 50 million strong and growing in size – some even have predicted that it will exceed the size of the Baby Boom generation. Are Millennials prepared to assume the responsibilities of leadership? We know their commitment to traditional forms of politics such as voting is undependable while their dedication to volunteering and involvement at the local level remains stable. Do Millennials view traditional political engagement as playing a relevant role in the solution of public problems or has volunteering taken its place? If Millennials are turning away from the political realm, under what conditions and what factors explain such a shift?

We have approached these questions using a qualitative methodological approach – a series of focus groups of college students on four campuses (Franklin and Marshall College, Rutgers University, University of Florida, University of Tennessee at Knoxville) conducted in the fall of 2010. We have paid particular attention to the quality of youth attitudes towards the relevance of political versus community engagement. Preliminary findings suggest that, although their overall impressions of politics are negative, young people recognize the limitations of relying solely on the civic sphere to solve public problems. Our research offers a first step in how we might: improve the theoretical framework of youth engagement; ask more precise survey questions; test even better hypotheses; and conduct sound experiments measuring the best methods of outreach to a generation with limited levels of engagement currently but virtually unlimited potential for power.