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Gen Z Sounds the Alarm: A Generation Grapples with Instability and Distrust
A new poll from the Harvard Kennedy School reveals a generation of young Americans defined by economic anxiety, deep skepticism toward institutions, and a pervasive sense of instability, challenging long-held assumptions about their optimism and engagement.
The 51st edition of the Harvard Youth Poll, a highly regarded survey of young Americans aged 18 to 29, presents a sobering picture: for Gen Z and young millennials, instability isn’t just a fleeting phase of early adulthood, but a fundamental aspect of their daily lives. The poll, which surveyed 2,040 individuals, indicates a cohort largely pessimistic about the nation’s trajectory and unconvinced that current political leaders or systems are working in their favor.
Economic Unease Fuels Widespread Pessimism
A clear majority of young Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, or are simply unsure of its direction. This pessimism is deeply rooted in financial insecurity, with over 40% (43%) reporting they are struggling or have only limited financial stability. High housing costs, rising inflation, and student loan debt have transformed what previous generations might have considered a time of exploration into a period of relentless financial management.
This economic anxiety transcends traditional political and cultural divides, serving as a rare unifying experience for young adults across urban and rural areas, and across the political spectrum. Even Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged these struggles, noting in September that “kids coming out of college and younger people, minorities, are having a hard time finding jobs.”
The Future of Work: AI as a Threat
Beyond immediate financial concerns, young adults also express significant apprehension about the future of work itself. Contrary to the common perception of younger generations as tech optimists, a substantial number view artificial intelligence not as a tool for progress, but as a looming threat to their job prospects and long-term careers. Concerns about AI’s impact on employment now outrank worries about immigration and rival traditional anxieties about trade or regulation.
This shift suggests that for many young people, innovation is increasingly associated with precarity – unstable schedules, algorithmic layoffs, and work that feels less meaningful. The question, for this generation, appears to be less about how technology will expand opportunity, and more about how long it will be before it renders them redundant.
Eroding Trust in Institutions and Politics
This economic and technological uncertainty is contributing to a broader erosion of faith in public life. Confidence in government, political parties, and mainstream media is notably low, with many young Americans perceiving these institutions as threats to their well-being rather than sources of stability. While institutions like colleges fare relatively better, even they are viewed with skepticism regarding their leaders’ commitment to young people’s interests.
Both former President Donald Trump and the two major political parties receive poor ratings from this age group. While Democrats hold a preference for upcoming congressional elections, this appears to stem more from a lack of appealing alternatives than from genuine enthusiasm. Politics, for many young Americans, feels less like a vehicle for change and more like an arena where no one is truly on their side.
Despite some debate over the poll’s potential left-leaning bias in past presidential election predictions, the overall findings consistently depict a disaffected youth, regardless of political affiliation.
Social Fabric Frays Amidst Distrust
The distrust extends beyond institutions to the very social fabric of the nation. Many young Americans report avoiding political conversations due to fear of backlash and doubt that those with differing opinions genuinely want what’s best for the country. Social connections also appear thin, with earlier surveys in the series finding only a small minority feeling deeply connected to their communities.
While most young Americans reject political violence, a notable minority expresses conditional openness to it, linking this sentiment more to financial strain, institutional distrust, and social alienation than to clear ideological extremism. John Della Volpe, the poll’s director, highlights instability as the unifying thread, warning that a generation raised through successive crises is now openly questioning the ability of American democracy and its economy to deliver for them.