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July 19, 2004
What Have We Done Right?
The current trend of young people embracing free enterprise and yearning to become entrepreneurs when they grow up seems to be part of an even bigger social shift. Tech Central Station has posted an article written by James K. Glassman reporting on a study on "the mood of American youth". (Glassman's commentary has been published in many newspapers throughout the country over the past week or two).
"Violence, drug use and teen sex have declined. Kids are becoming more conservative politically and socially. They want to get married and have large families. And, get this, they adore their parents.
"The Mood of American Youth Survey found that more than 80 percent of teenagers report no family problems -- up from about 40 percent a quarter-century ago. In another poll, two-thirds of daughters said they would 'give Mom an 'A.'
"'In the history of polling, we've never seen tweens and teens get along with their parents this well,' says William Strauss, referring to kids born since 1982. Strauss is author, with Neil Howe, of 'Millenials Rising: The Next Great Generation.'"
What is behind this radical shift? Glassman quotes an article by Kay S. Hymowitz, in which she believes that is has four root causes:
"1) a 'rewrite of the boomer years,' with young people reacting critically to the world of sexual experimentation and family breakup and 'earnestly knitting up their unraveled culture,' 2) the trauma of 9/11, which has made kids more patriotic and turned them inward toward the comfort of family, 3) the information economy, which has given young people greater faith in their own chances to succeed, especially through self-reliance and entrepreneurship, and 4) immigration, which has produced what she calls a 'fervent work ethic, which can raise the bar for slacker American kids, as any higher schooler with more than three Asian students in his algebra class can attest.'"
I was talking with one of my colleagues just this past week about how different the young people we see in college are compared to those of just five years ago. They are more serious and more diligent. They are more self-reliant and ready to learn for the sake of learning. And they have a very different meaning of success. It includes more balance between economic measures of success and the successes achieved through becoming a spouse and a parent.
Although Democrats should be shaking in their boots about how this could change things for the next decade or so, traditional Republicans cannot take these young people for granted either. They do not trust institutions that abuse power, whether it be governments or large corporations. But they do embrace the system of free enterprise and they long to build stronger families that will last. The Republican shift back toward moderation may not resonate with this group for very long.
Maybe I've been understating things when I've talked about the entrepreneurial economy today. It may be that this is a cultural shift that goes well beyond simple economics. Maybe the entrepreneurial economy is but just one part of a fundamental change that may alter America as radically as did the 1960s generation.
Posted July 19, 2004 08:16 AM
Comments
I think it's great that young people are enbracing free enterprise. It is no longer status quo to graduate from high school or college and work for someone else in some company. People are realizing that they too can start their own businesses and work for themselves. There are more resources and opportunities available to young people today than were available even five years ago. Technology has played a big role in the shift of this next generation. Youth are realizing the importance of family and support systems. It is important for today's youth to believe in themselves and to realize that with faith, perseverance, and a strong work ethic they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Education is also the key...not just education received in the classroom, but education about available opportunites and resources. An entrepreneur doesn't have to be someone with an MBA from Harvard or someone with tons of money. With passion, ethical values, dedication, a strong work ethic, and the right resources, ideas, and plans, youth can take advantage of the entrepreneurial spirit that is prevalent in today's American culture.
Posted by: Ekaette Udoumana at July 19, 2004 11:35 AM
Interesting post. BTW, what do you mean by "the Republican shift back toward moderation"? Why wouldn't the younger generation embrace a more moderate platform?
Posted by: Perez at July 19, 2004 04:34 PM
It's true about the kids, you know. I own two in their twenties, and they are fine examples of young humanhood. No dope, screwing around, victimhood or any of that stuff, though they have reason to wail about their crazy parents. All they said when I went abroad is "I wish you wouldn't go so far away, Dad." I thought they were atypical, but from these very encouraging articles, I think maybe not.
Would I have ever said that to my parents? Ha. Being more balanced than me is small bragging, but I'm still thrilled about the way they're turning out: They have no excuse for becoming so much better than they were raised to be.
Keep up the good work.
Regards, and visit my blog, ShenzhenRen (Shenzhen People in Chinese) anytime.
Posted by: Sam_S at July 20, 2004 04:29 AM
Perez,
That is my point. Republican moderation is not something they will likely tolerate for very long.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff at July 20, 2004 05:59 AM
To translate that, Perez:
"Republican moderation is not something they will likely tolerate for very long, given that 'moderation' seems to be a code word for Nixonian big government and deficits."
I think you mean something else, though.
On the social front, it's a mixed bag. Some issues that fire up the older conservative base, like gay marriage, have little to no resonance in this age group. Vehemence there is likely to be a turn-off for younger voters. As noted in the article, families and values generally are strongly held concepts. Perhaps the fact that opposition to abortion is higher in the younger demographic these days than among their parents' generation is related to this.
If 'Republican moderation' means choosing carefully in social areas, Perez could be right.
Posted by: Joe Katzman at July 27, 2004 08:50 AM
What I meant is Nixonian Big Government. Both Bush 41 and Bush 43 at times have shown that they lean the same way.
The social issues we will leave for other blogs. Although, I will say that the young today show two camps here. One camp is more socially conservative, but they do not tend to view government as the answer to these problems. The other camp is more pure libertarian.
Posted by: Jeff at July 27, 2004 11:12 AM
I have a very hard time believing this article. I would like to know what the conclusions were based upon and what criteria/questions were used. After graduating from high school, and then college, it seems that the social norms of society (ex. drinking, smoking, sex) are all beginning at a younger age. My brother just graduated high school as well, so it's not like I've been out of the loop completely. The stories you hear and the things you see from kids is somewhat amazing to me...and we attended a "private, christian" high school. Ins't the public school system even less modest?
And the marriage comment, yes kids are wanting to get married, but instead of at age 25, they want to get married out of high scool. Are kids really mature enough at this point to be ready for marriage?!? In my opinion, young marriages are a huge factor in the high divorce rate.
All my negativity aside, I do agree there are a percentage of kids who take pride in what they do, and "reach for the stars." They have ambition and desire, and you're right, a high school and/or college degree is no longer enough satifaction. I just hope the percentage is large enough to help transform the economy!
Posted by: Raven Teeples at August 5, 2004 12:33 PM
I think that this article is a little too optimistic. What were the basis for these conclusions. It seems that people of this generation are starting the afore mentioned vices at a younger age, and maybe growing out of them quicker than before. As far as the comment about the number of young Democrats and young Republicans being equal, that is due to politicians playing to the middle for so many decades. For me being so close to the generation, I just don't see it. Maybe I'm wrong.
Posted by: George W . Ward at September 29, 2004 11:47 AM
at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He consults with a variety of businesses on start-up and growth related issues, and with larger corporations on re-establishing entrepreneurial cultures within their organizations. Dr. Cornwall's current research interests include entrepreneurial finance and entrepreneurial ethics. He has authored or co-authored four books.
