The upcoming 2024 presidential election will mark the first time that a significant portion of Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012 and currently aged 12 to 27, will be eligible to vote. This generation, often referred to as Gen Z or Zoomers, has a unique perspective compared to older generations.
Gen Z makes up about 20% of the U.S. population but is underrepresented in voter registration, with fewer than 40% currently registered to vote. This generation grew up in the aftermath of events like the 9/11 attacks and the 2008 stock market crash, and they are characterized by their familiarity with technology and reliance on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X for communication.
Recent studies have shown a growing political divide among Gen Z along gender lines, with women leaning towards Democrats and men towards Republicans. Economic concerns are a major issue for Gen Z voters, with rising prices, taxes, housing costs, and job security at the forefront of their worries.
Access to abortion is another key concern for many Gen Z women, with some taking a strong pro-choice stance. As the 2024 election approaches, Gen Z voters are becoming increasingly engaged in the political process and are expected to have a significant impact on the outcome.
It is imperative that we do not dictate to individuals when they can have an abortion, why they can have an abortion, or what their views on abortion should be.
While the majority of men prioritized the economy, a few supporters of Harris also highlighted abortion as a key issue.
Kason Heilman, an 18-year-old IT major at Kennesaw State, emphasized that pro-choice concerns were among his top priorities: “Abortion, definitely. And then inflation. Those are probably the two biggest things for me.”
On the other hand, some young voters expressed their pro-life stance.
Natalie Alice, 19, stated, “Abortion is not something I would ever do,” although she does not consider it a crucial issue in the election.
“I don’t believe abortion should be a right, under any circumstances,” remarked Noah Nesbitt, 18.
Gender Divide
Many Gen Z individuals have observed a growing divide between men and women in their generation, particularly online.
Additionally, many Gen Zers feel pressured to conceal their political affiliations from friends and family.
An Axios survey of 1,858 registered voters revealed that Gen Z is more likely than any other generation to be dishonest about their voting preferences, with 48 percent admitting to lying about which candidates they support. In comparison, only 23 percent of all adults surveyed admitted to the same.
Studies have indicated that Gen Z is increasingly opposed to dating individuals with differing political beliefs.
According to The Harris Poll, 56 percent of Republicans in the youngest voter demographic (including Gen Z and Millennials) would consider dating a Democrat, while 42 percent of young Democrats would date a Republican.
Furthermore, there is a growing educational divide among Gen Z, with female college enrollment surpassing male enrollment by nearly 20 percent as of fall 2021, according to government statistics.
Several young voters attribute this increasing polarization to social media, where both genders tend to spend time in gender-specific online spaces.
Outside a Durham rally for Harris featuring former President Bill Clinton, a young woman named Cassidy shared her views on polarization.
Despite having reservations about Harris’ foreign policy, Cassidy indicated that she would vote for Harris, emphasizing that she does not have many male acquaintances her age who share her political views.
Noah Mason, a Gen Z voter supporting Harris, believes that gender-based political polarization is a concerning issue.
Many individuals referenced social media as a contributing factor, highlighting the influence of male-dominated spaces such as those led by Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson, and Joe Rogan.
Conversely, young women often gravitate towards feminist-oriented platforms, with podcasts like “Call Her Daddy” attracting a significant female audience.
Ryder Shaw, a Trump supporter and student at East Carolina University, acknowledged the polarization in his generation, noting that it has become more pronounced along gender lines.
Shaw’s mother, Ashley Anderson, a Trump voter, echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the widening divide and the impact it has on social interactions.
The polarization is influenced by the different political interests of each gender. Women tend to focus more on social issues, including abortion, race, sex, and sexuality-related matters, while men prioritize economic concerns and may be put off by the Democrats’ emphasis on social issues.
Please rewrite the following sentence:
“The company is planning to launch a new product next month.”
“The company has plans to release a new product in the upcoming month.”
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