Hardly the java sipping, narcissistic, social media surfing, familial leeches of lore, today’s Millennials are a vulnerable lot. Fearful of the fickle economy, competing for meager wages, and overwhelmingly planning to publicize their concerns by voting this November, one thousand 18-to-29 year olds participated in a survey by Generation Opportunity (GO), a non-profit organization.
The survey, which was released Wednesday, demonstrated that modern young people are making noteworthy cuts in their lives because of the rough economy.
While masses suffer from economic fluctuation and scarce career opportunities, “youngins” often experience a curious combination of excitement about their youth and presumed innovation and an easily dismissible spot in a capitalistic career caste system.
As with many financial statistics, the numbers are universally scary; but, they are particularly concerning for young people of color. July’s data conveyed that the African-American Millennial unemployment rate was 22 percent. It was 14 percent for Latinos, and almost 13 percent in general. As the United States evolves to an of-color majority, issues affecting the young black and brown increasingly impact more than just their respective cultural enclaves.
According to the GO survey, Millennials are skipping marriage, eating less, forgoing trips and working without vacations. Thirty-one percent of respondents put off starting a family. A quarter are not saving for retirement. Thirty-eight percent delayed buying their own place to live.
As survival instincts and political awareness merge, some believe that this election season could communicate for 18-to-20-somethings in important ways.
“These numbers should put elected leaders on notice,” Paul T. Conway, GO’s president and former U.S. Department of Labor Chief of Staff said in the organization’s press release.
“Frankly, it is not a pretty picture – millions of young Americans are paying the price, in a very personal way, for failed leadership and failed policies.
“Millennials are savvy. They know national policies have personal impact – they feel it first-hand… And it is no surprise that they plan to make their voices heard this November.”
Nearly 80 percent of the Millennials surveyed said that they will vote in November.
