🎓Harvard poll: 40% of young Americans "barely getting by" abandon politics
Civic Action
Economy
Education
Harvard's Spring 2025 Youth Poll found that over 40% of Americans under 30 are "barely getting by" financially, with only 16% doing well economically. The survey of 2,096 young people showed just 15% think the country's heading in the right direction, fewer than half feel connected to their communities, and civic engagement keeps dropping. Non-college youth get hit hardest—50% struggle financially compared to 29% of college graduates, creating class-based barriers that determine who has time and energy for democracy.
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Key Takeaways
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Why This Matters
💸 40% of young Americans working multiple jobs cannot afford civic engagement time
Democracy requires participation, but financial survival eliminates political involvement. Voting becomes luxury for economically secure.
🎓 College creates two-tier citizenship with different political access levels
29% of college graduates struggle financially versus 50% without degrees. Educational status determines democratic participation ability.
⏰ Tuesday evening meetings and weekday campaigns exclude hourly workers from representation
Political events favor affluent retirees with flexible schedules. Working people lose voice in governance affecting their lives.
🤝 Find weekend voter drives and virtual town halls accommodating work schedules
Local organizations making civic engagement accessible to working families. Democracy improves when everyone can participate.
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What percentage of young Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction?
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How many young Americans did the Harvard poll survey to reach these conclusions?
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What percentage of young women report financial struggles compared to young men?
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Education
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According to IOP Director Setti Warren, what should leaders do in response to these findings?
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