Young Invincibles/ DEMOS Findings from a Nationwide Survey of 872 Respondents Age 18-34

Young Invincibles/ DEMOS

Findings from a Nationwide Survey of 872 Respondents Age 18-34

Celinda Lake and Joshua UlibarriLake Research PartnersWashington, DC | Berkeley, CA | New York, NYLakeResearch.com202.776.9066

Christine Matthews Bellwether Research & Consulting Alexandria, VABellwether-research.com703.650.5203

http://www.lakeresearch.com/

http://www.americanenvironics.com/

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The Key Sections • Strategic Summary

• Economic Landscape

• Top Priorities and Potential Solutions

• Education

• Jobs

• Healthcare

• Paid Sick Leave

• The 2012 Election

• Demographics

• Methodology

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Key Takeaways

• Juggling Hope in Tough Times. Members of the Millennial generation remain optimistic about their future and the future of their generation when it comes to achieving the American Dream. However, at the same time they feel economic anxiety and that things have gotten harder over the last four years. A plurality feels their generation may be worse off than their parents.

• A Tough Start with a Long Road Ahead. Young people demonstrate that they have had a tough start to adulthood. A majority of young Americans perceive their personal finances as just fair or poor. Furthermore, being decades away from retirement, a significant share is already experiencing intense worry about being unable to save enough for their retirement.

• Education and Training as a Means to Getting Ahead. Americans under 35 are very focused on education and training as the way to get ahead in this economy (along with hard work). Their priority is making skill acquisition more accessible so they can become more competitive.

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Key Takeaways

• An ambitious agenda for Elected leaders. As a result of the above - they believe that our elected leaders should focus on creating jobs and growing the economy, making college and more training affordable, and ensuring that Social Security is available for their generation.

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Young People Remain Optimistic about the American Dream but are Cautious• Young people believe they can still achieve the American Dream. Almost eight in ten (77%) young adults think

they, personally, can achieve the American Dream. Only 19% believe it is too hard to obtain and unachievable. This sense that the American Dream is achievable extends across age cohorts (78% of under 25 year olds and 76% of those over age 25), gender (75% of young women and 79% of young men), and race or ethnicity (80% of whites, 79% of African Americans, and 75% of Latinos).– Notably, young people are somewhat less likely to believe that others in their generation can achieve the

American Dream. Sixty-nine percent of people believe others in their generation can achieve the American Dream (26% do not think it possible). The rate of the decline from personal to generational achievement is pretty consistent across the board.

• Young people also tend to believe that hard work (and more education and training) can pay off and they describe hard work as the number one trait for their cohort. Fifty-one percent believe that in America everyone has an equal shot at being financially secure if they work hard and play by the rules. However, a large number (39%) also believe that if you are born into one economic group you are likely to stay in that group because the rules favor a few. While the numbers are relatively similar among racial groups, they differ by party identification – Democrats are more likely to say one is likely to stay in the same group (45% versus 37% of Republicans), while Republicans are more likely to say everyone has an equal shot (56% versus 45% of Democrats). – Young people think they are hard workers and this buttresses their belief that they can achieve the American

Dream. When young people were asked to choose a phrase to describe themselves, 60% chose hardworking, with family-oriented the next closest at 29% (multiple choice was allowed). Eighteen percent chose want[ing] to help others.

• While there is a definite push toward being personally optimistic about achieving the American Dream, there is also a pull toward recognizing the reality that times have gotten harder. Sixty-eight percent of young Americans believe that it has become harder to make ends meet over the last four years, including a quarter (27%) who thinks it has become much harder (20% say it has become easier and 10% say no difference). In fact, almost half of younger Americans (48%) think their generation will be worse off economically than their parents.

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Tough Start and a Long Road Ahead• Young people say this has been a tough start for them. Fifty-two percent describe their personal financial

situation as just fair (36%) or poor (15%) while the other half (48%) describe it as excellent (7%) or good (41%). The older cohort, with 58% employed full time, is split (51% excellent/good and 48% just fair/poor), while the younger cohort, with 36% employed full-time, more solidly sees their situation as less than ideal (42% excellent/good and 57% just fair/poor).

• Many young Americans are falling into more personal debt. Forty-two percent of those under age 35 have more than $5,000 in personal debt that does not include a mortgage. Furthermore, four in ten (39%) say their debt has increased in the last four years, including 43% of young people over age 25 (31% of those who are younger).

• Among all young people who have seen their debt increase, school loans (42%), credit cards (35%), and medical bills (27%) are among the most likely kinds of increased debt. School loans account for the most debt among people under age 25 (54% have see increased school loan debt) while those who are older attribute increased debt to school loans (37%), credit cards (37%), and a mortgage (25%). – This economic situation (and probably the increased debt) has caused a delay in important life

decisions. Almost half (46%) have delayed purchasing a home, and more than a third have delayed starting or continuing college or other training (38%) or starting a business (38%). A third of young people have delayed moving out on their own (33%) or starting a family (30%). A quarter has delayed getting married (25%).

– Debt and this economy cause stress in a number of different ways for young people. Thirty-seven percent of young people are very worried they will be able to afford to send their own children to college (37% rate it a “10” on a zero to ten scale), a third is very worried they will be unable to save enough to retire (33% “10”), and another third is worried about being able to afford health care for their family (36%), or be able to make ends meet (33%).

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Tough Start and a Long Road Ahead• While employment is very high among people under age 35, even those who are working would like to

be working more and for more pay. Sixty-eight percent of young people in this survey are employed either full-time (50%) or part-time (18%). Among those who are working, 57% would like more hours for more pay including almost two-thirds of those under age 25 (63%) and more than half of those over age 25 (55%). – Among those who are unemployed, optimism is not particularly high that they will find a job in six

months (only 48% are optimistic), but optimism is higher when the period is extended to a year (57% optimistic).

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Young people have an ambitious agenda regarding what it will take to get things moving again

• Young Americans want Congress to focus on jobs and on ensuring that Social Security is available for their generation. Eighty-one percent of respondents say that creating jobs and growing the economy should be the top priority for Congress.

• For older people that is the leading priority (84% a top priority among those over age 25, 75% among those younger). In the eyes of young people, making sure that Social Security is available for their generation is another top priority for Congress to focus on (65% is a top priority, with 72% of young women naming it a top priority).

• Considering that 33% are already very worried that they will be unable to save enough for retirement, the desire to preserve Social Security does not come as a surprise.

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While Young Women And Ethnic Minorities Are More Likely To Struggle Financially, Women Are Less Optimistic About The Future• Young women are more stressed financially and more pessimistic about the future than men are. Fifty-

five percent of young women view their financial situation as just fair or poor (versus 48% of men), while 42% of them say that their debt has increased within the past four years (versus 36% of men).

― Not surprisingly, women are also less optimistic about the future than men are – 52% of them believe that their generation will be worse off than their parents’ generation (versus 43% of men) and 43% believe that people are likely to stay in the group one is born into (versus 35% of men).

― Compared to young men, women have also less desire to start their own business – 44% of female respondents say they would like to start a business, versus 57% men.

• While many of young African-Americans and Latinos are struggling financially, they are relatively optimistic about the future. Latinos (67%) and African-Americans (69%) are among the sub-groups most likely to earn less than $30,000 per year. Twenty-two percent of African-Americans say they are unemployed and 56% of them say they have delayed buying a home because of this economy. Among young Latinos, 36% say they do not have health insurance coverage.

― However, African-Americans and Latinos are relatively optimistic about the future – 36% of Latinos and 31% of African-Americans think that their generation will be better off than their parents (versus 12% of Caucasians). Also, 88% of young African-American men think that the American Dream is achievable for them personally (more than any other demographic group).

Economic Landscape

Young Americans believe that with hard work and education they and others in their generation can still achieve the American Dream. However, the strain of this economy leads many to feel they may be worse off than their parents.

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A majority of young Americans rate their personal financial situation as just fair or poor. Just 1 in 16 perceive their financial situation as excellent. There is not a great deal of intensity in any particular direction, with most deciding between just fair or poor.

How would you rate your personal current financial situation - excellent, good, just fair, or poor?

-4

Darker colors used to indicate greater intensity.

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Women are more likely than men to say that their financial situation is just fair or poor.

Latinos, those not employed full-time and those whose income is below $30K, are more likely to rate their financial situation as just fair or poor.

Those working full-time and earning more than $30k have more confidence in their finances.


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Republicans are more likely than Independents or Democrats to be satisfied with their financial situation.

College-educated young Americans rate their financial situation significantly more positively than non-college respondents, especially college-educated men.


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Just 1 in 3 young Americans earn more than $30,000 per year. African-Americans and Latinos earn less than their young white counterparts, especially white men. Education, unsurprisingly, is a big part of earning potential.

In which of the following ranges did your personal income fall last year, before taxes?

[IF REFUSED OR Don’t know] Could you tell me if your annual personal income is below or above 30 thousand dollars?

Most likely to earn less than $30K:• Age 18-24 – 76%• High school or less – 74% • African-Americans – 69% • Latinos – 67% • Independents – 63% Most likely to earn more than $30K:

• College graduate or post-grad – 58% • Republican men – 46% • Age 25-34 – 44% • Strong Republican – 44% • White men – 43%

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Despite mixed emotions on their personal economic situation, most young Americans say that their earnings have increased over the past four years. However, 1 in 6 say that they have decreased in that time period.

[IF EMPLOYED]: In the last four years have your earnings increased, decreased or stayed the same?

Asked only of those respondents who said they were employed either full- or part-time.

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Regardless of the increased income, for many, especially the minorities, it has become harder to make ends meet over the past four years, with more than 1 in 4 saying it has become much harder.

Thinking about the last four years and your ability to make ends meet and pay your bills, would you say it has become much harder, somewhat harder, somewhat easier, or much easier to make ends meet??

-48


Most likely to say it has become much harder to make ends meet: • Unemployed – 42% • African-American women – 36%• Latino men – 34% • African-Americans – 33% • Latinos – 32%

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More than 1 in 4 say they have received financial help from their family within the past year, with almost a quarter reporting the aid exceeding $5,000.

In the last year have you received significant financial help from your parents or other family members, other than a free place to live, or have you not received significant financial help?

And in the last year was the total of that help under one thousand dollars, between one thousand and five thousand dollars, five thousand to ten thousand dollars, or over ten thousand dollars?

Received financial help Total amount of financial help

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Even as half say their personal earnings have increased in the last four years, four in ten say they have fallen into greater debt within the past four years.

Has your personal debt increased in the last four years, or not really?

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A consistent trend in this data is that younger women feel more economic hardships than younger men. That is true in debt too.

Unemployed young Americans are more likely than the rest of the groups to report higher debt.

Has your personal debt increased in the last four years, or not really?

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School loans and credit card debt are the biggest contributors to the increased debt. While many perceive young Americans as being healthy, a quarter of young Americans with increased debt say medical bills have contributed to their increased debt.

[F YES]: Has that been increased credit card debt, mortgage debt, school loans, a car loan, other personal loans, taxes, medical bills, or something else? [ACCEPT ALL THAT APPLY]

Asked only of those respondents who said that their personal debt has increased in the past 4 years.

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College-educated or current students are most likely to cite student loan debt, Latinos are most likely to mention credit card debt, and those with lower incomes and lower education levels are more likely to cite medical bills as a source of their increased debt.

Most likely to cite school loans as part of their increased debt:• Full-time students – 71% • College-educated women – 66%• College graduates – 56% • Age 18-24 – 54%• Republicans – 53%

Most likely to cite credit card debt as part of their increased debt:• Latinos – 44%• High school or less – 39%• College graduates – 39% • Non-college men – 39% • White men – 38%

Most likely to cite medical bills as part of their increased debt:• High school or less – 44% • Non-college women – 36% • Unemployed – 36% • Income less than $30K – 34% • White women – 33%

[F YES]: Has that been increased credit card debt, mortgage debt, school loans, a car loan, other personal loans, taxes, medical bills, or something else? [ACCEPT ALL THAT APPLY]

Asked only of those respondents who said that their personal debt has increased in the past 4 years.

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Two in five young Americans owe more than $5,000, not including a house mortgage. College-educated respondents are more likely than others to report debt exceeding $25,000.

And in which of the following ranges does the personal debt that you owe fall, including credit cards, student loans, car loans, money you owe other individuals, and any other debt you have, but not including a mortgage?

Most likely to owe more than $25K: • College-educated women – 32% • College-graduate/ post-grad – 29% • College-educated men – 26% • White age 25-34 – 20% • African-Americans age 25-34 – 20%

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Because of the current economy, almost 1 in 2 young Americans have delayed their plans to purchase a home. Many have also paused on entrepreneurship and education.

Here are some things other people in your generation have said they have delayed because of the current economy. Please tell me if you have delayed that decision because of the economy and its impact on you.

Yes, delayed NoDon’t know

3

1

1

0

2

2

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African-Americans are most likely to say they have delayed buying a home and starting a business, while Latinos are most likely to say they have delayed leaving their parents’ home.

Most likely to say they have delayed buying a home:• African-American men – 61%• African-Americans age 25-34 – 60% • African-Americans – 56%• Part-time students – 55%

Most likely to say they have delayed starting a business:• African-Americans age 25-34 – 58%• African-American women – 53%• African-Americans – 52%• African-American men – 52%

Most likely to say they have delayed starting/continuing college/other training: • Independent voters age 18-24 – 53% • Independent women – 52% • Independent voters – 48% • Unemployed – 48%

Most likely to say they have delayed moving out and living on their own:• Latinos age 18-24 – 52% • African-Americans age 18-24 – 51%• Women age 18-24 – 49%• Democrats age 18-24 -49%

Most likely to say they have delayed starting a family: • Unemployed – 41% • African-Americans – 39% • Democratic men – 39%• Democrats age 18-24 – 38%

Most likely to say they have delayed getting married• Unmarried living with partner – 42% • African-American men – 39% • Part-time students – 39% • Independents age 18-24 – 36%

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Financial expectations are gloomy among young Americans – fewer than 1 in 4 expect their generation to be better off than their parents, while almost half expect to be worse off.

Do you think your generation will be better off economically than your parents, worse off economically than your parents, or live about the same as your parents?

Asked of one half of the total sample.

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Women and those age 25-34 are the most likely to think their generation may be worse off than their parents. Men and those age 18-24 are less likely to think so.

Younger whites and those with higher income are especially pessimistic.

Do you think your generation will be better off economically than your parents, worse off economically than your parents, or live about the same as your parents?


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Being able to afford to send children to college, affording health care, saving enough for retirement, making ends meet, and gas prices are the top issues that young Americans are most worried about.

Here are some issues other people say they have worried about. Using a scale of ZERO to ten please tell me how much you worry about that issue. TEN means you are VERY worried and ZERO means you are not worried about it at all. You can use any number in between.[PROBE]: From zero to ten, how worried are you about that issue?.

Mean7.1

6.9

7.1

6.6

6.9

6.2

5.6

6.1

5.9

5.8

A majority is concerned that the middle class may be disappearing. More than 1 in 3 say they are worried a great deal, while just 11 percent say they are not worried at all.

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How much does it concern you that the middle class may be disappearing - a great deal, a lot, some, a little, or not at all?

+16


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Even in this economy, most believe that the American Dream is still achievable. However, more are optimistic about their own chances than are about the rest of their generation.

When it comes to most people in your generation, do you think the American Dream is still achievable or do you think it has become too hard to obtain and is unachievable for most people in your generation?

And how about for you personally, do you think the American Dream is achievable or do you think it is too hard to obtain and is unachievable for you personally?

For most people in your generation For you personally

*In a recent nationwide survey conducted by Lake Research Partners among all American adults, 70% said that the American Dream is still alive, but just 68% said that they have already achieved it or will achieve it themselves. The wordings of the questions was similar, but not exact.

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Different sub-groups of men are most optimistic, while those unemployed, young women, and Latinos are less optimistic than the rest about achieving the American Dream.

Most likely to say the American Dream is achievable for most in their generation:• College-educated men – 80%• Male students – 79% • Strong Republicans – 77%• Republican men – 77%• Republicans age 25-34 – 75%

Most likely to say the American Dream is unachievable for most in their generation:• Unemployed – 38% • High school or less – 34% • Women age 18-24 – 32% • Latino women – 32% • Latinos age 18-24 – 32%

Most likely to say the American Dream is achievable for them personally:• African-American men – 88% • College-educated men – 86% • Strong Republicans – 86% • Republicans age 18-24 – 86% • Republicans – 84%

Most likely to say the American Dream is unachievable for them personally: • Unemployed – 26% • Part-time students – 26% • Independent women – 24%• Latino women – 24% • Latinos age 25-34 – 24%

When it comes to most people in your generation, do you think the American Dream is still achievable or do you think it has become too hard to obtain and is unachievable for most people in your generation?

And how about for you personally, do you think the American Dream is achievable or do you think it is too hard to obtain and is unachievable for you personally?

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Regardless of the current economic environment, a majority still believes that everyone has an equal shot at being financially secure if they work hard and play by the rules. Hard work, along with education, are key components of achieving the American Dream.

Here are two different statements about economic opportunity in America. Tell me which one is closer to your opinion even if neither is perfect: In America, everyone has an equal shot at being financially secure if they work hard and play by the rulesIn America, if you are born into one economic group you are likely to stay in that group because the rules favor a few


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Young women and those who are employed part-time are less likely than others to think that hard work is enough.

There is little difference by race in regards to economic opportunity.

Full-time students and men are more optimistic than others in believing that working hard and playing by the rules are enough to get ahead.

Here are two different statements about economic opportunity in America. Tell me which one is closer to your opinion even if neither is perfect: In America, everyone has an equal shot at being financially secure if they work hard and play by the rulesIn America, if you are born into one economic group you are likely to stay in that group because the rules favor a few


Top Priorities and Potential Solutions

Considering the economic landscape and its effects on young Americans, the top perceived priority is the economy and jobs. According to respondents, making education more affordable and investing in training programs for the unemployed are key in getting the economy up to speed.

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The economy and jobs are not the only issue the youth wants Congress to focus on. Education, health care, and Social Security are also top priorities for many.

Here are some issues other people have raised as priorities for Congress. For each one, please tell me if you think that should be the TOP priority, a priority but not the top, somewhat of a priority, or a low priority.[PROBE]: Should that be the TOP priority, a priority but not the top, somewhat of a priority, or a low priority.

Net

+70

+82

+65

+69

Less of a priority The top/ a priorityDon’t know

1

1

1

1


+64 2

35Here are some issues other people have raised as priorities for Congress. For each one, please tell me if you think that should be the TOP priority, a priority but not the top, somewhat of a priority, or a low priority.[PROBE]: Should that be the TOP priority, a priority but not the top, somewhat of a priority, or a low priority.

Net

+52

+37

+32

+36

Less of a priority The top/ a priorityDon’t know

2

4

2

9


Fewer young Americans see cutting taxes, reducing obstacles for small businesses, and cutting entitlements as the top priorities for Congress to focus on.

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Jobs and the economy are the top priority for all of the key demographic groups, except African-Americans, who prioritize the affordability of college education.

Here are some issues other people have raised as priorities for Congress. For each one, please tell me if you think that should be the TOP priority, a priority but not the top, somewhat of a priority, or a low priority.[PROBE]: Should that be the TOP priority, a priority but not the top, somewhat of a priority, or a low priority.


Priorities for Congress (% Top Priority) Men Women 18-24 25-34 White

Afr.- Amer. Latino

Below $30K

$30K or more

Jobs and the economy 80 82 75 84 83 87 78 80 84

College education more affordable 64 72 71 66 62 91 68 72 60

Protecting health care for low-income people

59 72 68 64 60 84 70 73 53

Ensuring S.S. available for their generation

58 72 59 68 65 83 67 70 60

Post H.S. education/training more affordable

60 66 60 65 58 76 68 62 62

As the top remedies for the struggling economy, young Americans are most likely to support making education more affordable and investing in training for unemployed people.

37Here are some things other people have said can help make the economy stronger. For each one please tell me whether you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose each action.[PROBE]: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose

Net

+80

+77

Oppose SupportDon’t know

2

1


+72 2

Young Americans see a number of potential remedies, such as public job programs and cutting taxes, for the struggling economy, but none receive the level of support that making education more affordable does.

38Here are some things other people have said can help make the economy stronger. For each one please tell me whether you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose each action.[PROBE]: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose

Net

+62

+61

+68

+36

Oppose SupportDon’t know

1

3

1

5


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Making education more affordable and investing in training programs for the unemployed are the top two perceived remedies among all key demographic groups.

Top ways to strengthen the economy(% Strongly Support) Men Women 18-24 25-34 White

Afr.- Amer. Latino

Below $30K

$30K or more

Making education more affordable 60 65 71 58 59 77 66 69 61Investing in programs for unemployed people

58 62 60 60 54 71 69 62 62

Investing in infrastructure 55 56 57 54 51 66 63 55 57Temporary public job programs 50 54 54 51 52 69 55 59 49Cutting taxes on working and middle classes

50 51 52 50 50 59 51 52 54

Here are some things other people have said can help make the economy stronger. For each one please tell me whether you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose each action.[PROBE]: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose


Education Part I

Education and training are key to success in this economy.

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Education and Training are Key to Getting Ahead• Young people prioritize education and training and want to see their access protected and increased. A

plurality of 42% believes that getting education and training is most important to succeed in this economy. Just under a third (30%) said working hard was most important (15% said innovation and 11% said support from family and friends). Young people under age 25 (55% education), Latinos (52%), African Americans (43%) and women 46%) were the most likely to believe education was key; while men, older people, and whites were split between education/training and hard work.

• It is often assumed that almost every Millennial is in college, went to college, or is going to go to college. The reality is far different. In this study only 30% had a college degree or an advanced degree and 30% were still in college (65% said they were not a student). – Importantly, 38% of Americans under age 35 say they have delayed starting or continuing college or

other training because of the current economic situation. That includes 42% of women, 35% of men, 42% of African Americans, 39% of Latinos, and 37% of whites.

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A plurality of young Americans believe that education and training are key in trying to succeed in this economy. College-educated men are significantly more likely than other groups to think that being innovative is key.

Which of the following would you say is most important for you to be able to succeed in this economy?

Getting education/training by education:• Non-college men – 40%• Non-college women – 50% • College-educated men – 29% • College-educated women –

42%

Being innovative by education:• Non-college men – 15%• Non-college women – 10% • College-educated men – 26% • College-educated women –

11%

Jobs

Young Americans perceive themselves as hard-working, but the unemployment level among the youth is high. Many of those who have a job, would like to work more in order to earn more money, while most of those unemployed remain optimistic about finding work.

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Hard work and more education and training are key for young people to get ahead. They believe hard work and playing by the rules can pay off. They also believe, by 2-to-1, that “hard-working” best describes who they are.

Of the following, which two words or phrases would you say best describe you? [ACCEPT TWO RESPONSES]

45

Unemployment among young Americans is high. African-Americans, especially African-American women, are most likely to be unemployed.

Now I would like to ask you some questions about employment. Are you currently employed full-time, employed part-time, unemployed, are not employed because you are a student or a homemaker?

Most likely to be employed full-time:• Income above $30K –

74%• Men age 25-34 – 68%• White men – 60%• College graduates –

59%• Men – 58%

Most likely to be unemployed:• African-American women – 25%• African-Americans age 25-34 –

24%• High school or less – 24% • African-Americans – 22%• African-American men – 19%

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A slight majority of those employed are working within their chosen field. Considering the stage of life, the older cohort (age 25-34) is significantly more likely to work within their field.

[IF EMPLOYED]: When you think about the job you have RIGHT NOW, do YOU believe it is within your chosen field and you want to stay within this profession, or is it more of a job until something better comes along?


Within chosen field by age:• Age 18-24 – 35%• Age 25-34 – 61%

A job until something better by age: • Age 18-24 - 62%• Age 25-34 – 36%

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While those who are employed tend to feel more secure about their current situation, as we learned earlier, they would still like to work more hours for more pay.

[IF EMPLOYED]: Would you like to be working more hours for more pay, or would you NOT like to be working more hours for more pay?


48

Young Americans are split on joining a labor union. The division is a partisan and ideological one – Democrats are most likely to join, while Republicans are most likely to say they would not.

If you could join a union at your workplace, would you or not?

Most likely to join/be a part of a union:• Strong Democrats – 61%• African-Americans age 25-34 – 58%• Democratic men – 56%• African-Americans – 56%• Democrats – 55%

Most likely to not join a union: • Republican men – 73%• Republicans age 25-34 – 68%• Strong Republicans – 63% • Republicans – 61%• Weak Republicans – 60%

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Men are slightly more likely than women to say they would not want to join a labor union.

While 48 percent of Caucasians would not join a union, the number is significantly lower among Latinos and African-Americans.

If you could join a union at your workplace, would you or not?

50

Despite a split-willingness to join a union, by more than three-to-one younger Americans think people in a union are better off than those without a union. A third think they are about the same.

Let me ask you something else. Overall, do you think that employees who are part of a union are better off or worse off than employees in a similar job who are not part of a union, or does it not make any difference?

51

A plurality of unemployed are looking for work, while almost 1 in 10 of those unemployed have given up hope to find work.

[IF UNEMPLOYED]: Are you currently looking for work or are you not looking for work? [IF NOT]: And is that because you don't think you will find work and you have stopped looking, or are you not looking for some other reason?

Asked only of those respondents who said they were unemployed.

52

Most of the unemployed are optimistic about finding work in the short-term. However, more expect to find work within the next year than within the next six months.

[IF UNEMPLOYED:}: I know you said you are currently unemployed. Thinking about the [next 6 months] from now, would you say you are optimistic or pessimistic about finding work; or are you not really looking for work in that time period?

[IF UNEMPLOYED:]: I know you said you are currently unemployed. Thinking about the [next year] from now, would you say you are optimistic or pessimistic about finding work; or are you not really looking for work in that time period?

Within the next 6 months Within the next year

Each question was asked of one half of unemployed respondents.

Healthcare

Many young Americans do not have health insurance, mostly because they cannot afford it.

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Almost 3 in 10 do not have health insurance. The unemployed, those employed part-time, those with a diverse ethnic background, and young males are most likely to live without coverage.

Right now, are you personally covered by any form of health insurance or health plan, or do you not have insurance at this time?

Most likely have health insurance: • Republicans age 18-24 – 86% • College-educated women –

86%• Income $30K and more – 86%• Republican women – 82%• 4-year college graduates – 81%

Most likely not to have health insurance: • Unemployed – 46%• Employed part-time – 38% • African-Americans age 18-24 – 37%• Latinos – 36% • Men age 18-24 – 35%

55

Most with health insurance have it through their place of work or their parents’ plan.

[IF INSURANCE]: Which of the following best describes your health insurance coverage:

56

Healthcare affordability is the key issue for those without health insurance. Just 1 in 6 of the uninsured choose not to have health insurance.

[IF INSURANCE]: Which of the following best describes your health insurance coverage:

Paid Sick Leave

Many of the employed do not have paid sick leave at work, and almost 3 in 5 have gone to work sick within the past year.

58

More than 1 in 3 of the employed young Americans do not have paid sick days. The number is even higher among Latinos, those without a college degree, those age 18-24 and women.

[IF EMPLOYED]: Do you have paid personal days, paid sick days, or other paid time off that you can use when you or a member of your immediate family is sick?[If yes]: In addition to using the sick days for your own illness, can you use your paid sick days to care for a sick child or family member?


Most likely not to have health insurance: • Latinos – 49% • Non-college women – 47% • Age 18-24 – 45%• Non-college men – 43% • Women – 41%

59

Most young Americans who are currently employed say they have had to go to work sick in the past year.

[IF EMPLOYED]: In the last year, have you ever had to go to work sick?


60

Being unable to afford to lose pay is cited as the top reason for going to work sick within the past year.

[If went to work sick, ask] Which of the following best describes why you went to work sick...


The 2012 Election

Young Americans are more likely to identify with the Democratic Party, but young Republicans are more likely to say they will turn out in the 2012 elections.

62

A plurality of young Americans identify with the Democratic Party, almost 1 in 4 are closer to the GOP, while 1 in 5 say they are independent.

Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Republican, a Democrat, an independent, or something else?[IF REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT:] Do you consider yourself a strong (Republican/Democrat) or a not-so-strong (Republican/Democrat)? [IF INDEPENDENT:] Would you say that you lean more toward the Republicans or more toward the Democrats?

+17

63

Minorities and those unemployed are most likely to be Democrats. Among the most likely to identify themselves as Republicans are married men, young whites and college-educated respondents.

Among the most likely to identify themselves as Democrats:• African-Americans – 70%• Unemployed – 46%• Married women – 46% • Latinos – 44% • Full-time students – 44%

Among the most likely to identify themselves as Republicans:• Married men – 38% • White age 25-34 – 37% • White men – 35%• White women – 33% • 4-year college graduates – 33%

Among the most likely to identify themselves as Independents:• Part-time students – 25%• Northeast region – 23% • Latino men – 21% • Latinos age 25-34 – 21% • Unmarried men – 21%


64

Party identification is evenly split among young whites, while 70 percent of African-Americans say they are Democrats.

Both the employed and the unemployed identify as Democrats, but the gap is bigger among those who are not currently working.


65

Overall, Republicans and Democrats are equally likely to say they are going to vote next year. The difference, however, is in intensity with Republicans 10 percentage points more intense in their likelihood to vote.

Democrats Republicans

+80+73


What is the likelihood that you will vote in next year’s election for President, Congress, and other offices – are you very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not likely at all to vote?

Independents

+54

66

Almost 4 in 5 say they are registered to vote. Republicans are slightly more likely than Democrats to be registered voters.

Often, things come up and people are not able to vote. Would state or local records show that you are currently registered to vote, or like many others are you not registered to vote at this time?

Registration by party identification:• Republicans – 87% • Democrats – 83%• Independents – 77%

67

Americans age 18-24 are significantly less likely than those age 25-34 to be registered voters.

Considerably fewer Latinos than African-Americans and Caucasians are registered to vote.

Those unemployed and full-time students are less likely to say they are registered to vote.

Often, things come up and people are not able to vote. Would state or local records show that you are currently registered to vote, or like many others are you not registered to vote at this time?

68

4 in 5 young Americans say it is at least somewhat likely that they are going to vote in the 2012 election. However, only 61% are very likely to vote in next year’s election.


+63


69

More women than men say that it is likely that they are going to vote in 2012.

Latinos are considerably less likely to say they plan on voting in the next year’s election.

Those whose earning exceed $30K are more likely than those who earn less than $30K to say they are likely to vote.


Demographics

71

While many tend to believe that everyone among young Americans has a college degree, just 30 percent say they are college/post-graduate school graduates.

What is the last year of schooling that you have completed?

72

3 in 10 respondents are still students, with 20 percent going to school full-time.

Are you currently a student?[IF YES]: Do you go to school full-time or part-time?

73

Almost 3 in 5 respondents are either single or unmarried but living with a partner, while 3 in 10 are married.

Are you married, unmarried with a partner, single, separated, divorced, or widowed?

74

In this age group Latinos slightly outnumber African-Americans, while younger whites compose less than 60 percent of the group.

Just to make sure we have a representative sample, could you please tell me whether you are from a Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish-speaking background? [IF “NO”, ASK:] What is your race - white, black, Asian, or something else?

75

Most say that they have not lived at home with their parents within the past year, but more than 1 in 3 say they have.

In the last year, have you lived at home with your parents at any point?

76

Methodology

• Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research & Consulting designed and administered this survey that was conducted by telephone using professional interviewers from September 25 to October 4, 2011. This nationwide survey reached a total of 872 adults age 18 to 34.

• The sample included 472 young adults reached on landlines and 400 young adults reached on cellphones. The two samples were weighted together so that cell dominant people (no landline or exclusively cell) account for 51% of the completed interviews.

• The margin of error for the whole sample is +/-3.32 percentage points. The sampling error for sub-groups is greater.

Celinda [email protected]

Joshua Ulibarri [email protected]

Washington, DC | Berkeley, CA | New York, NYLakeResearch.com202.776.9066

Alexandria, VABellwether-research.com703.650.5203

Christine Matthews [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]





Young Invincibles/ DEMOS Findings from a Nationwide Survey of 872 Respondents Age 18-34

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Transcript of Young Invincibles/ DEMOS Findings from a Nationwide Survey of 872 Respondents Age 18-34