Chillin' With Generation "NEXT!"

A new report from the Pew Research Center compares Generation "Next" (18-25, born 1981-88) with the three generations that preceded it. Aside from finding that they are more violent, sexually active, and high on drugs than kids were 20 years ago, they also discovered:

• MOBILE: Members of Generation Next are twice as likely to have received a text message in the last day as people ages 26-40.


• SHOW-OFFS: They are an exhibitionist and voyeristic generation. A majority of Gen Nexters have used one of the major social networking sites, and more than four-in-ten have created a personal profile.
• WEB FRIENDLY: They are more likely than older adults to say that cyber-tools make it easier for them to make new friends and help them to stay close to old friends and family.
  
  
• IMMIGRANT FRIENDLY: More Gen Nexters say that immigrants to the U.S. strengthens the country. ­
• OPEN MINDED: They lead the way in their support for gay marriage and acceptance of interracial dating.


• FREE-MARKET BELIEVERS: They are the most likely of any generation to support privatization of the Social Security system.


• LESS RELIGIOUS: 20% of Generation Nexters say they have no religious affiliation or are atheist or agnostic, nearly double the proportion of young people who said that in the late 1980s.


• MORE POLITICAL: They are somewhat more interested in keeping up with politics and national affairs than were young people a generation ago. 
• MORE DEMOCRATIC: 48% identified more with the Democratic Party, while just 35% affiliated more with the GOP. This makes Generation Next the least Republican generation so far.


• LESS CYNICAL: They are significantly less cynical about government and political leaders than are other Americans or the previous generation of young people.
  
  
• HAVE REAL HEROS: When asked to name someone they admire, Gen Nexters are twice as likely as older Americans to name a family member, teacher, or mentor.
  
  
• ECONOMICALLY LIBERAL: They are the most likely of any age group to say that automation, the outsourcing of jobs, and the growing number of immigrants have helped and not hurt American workers.


• MATERIALISTIC: Roughly 80% claim that people in their generation think getting rich is either the most important, or second most important, goal in their lives. Fame is the other main thing.

They sound like a hoot.