The Generation Gap and the 2012 Election
In the last four national elections, generation has mattered more in American elections than it has in decades. This continues to be true as voters look ahead toward the 2012 general election. In a contest between President Obama and Mitt Romney, there is a 20-point gap in support for Obama between Millennials and the over-65 Silent generation.
For Millennials, Parenthood Trumps Marriage
While 52% of Millennials say being a good parent is “one of the most important things” in life, just 30% say the same about having a successful marriage
Why don’t you call old people “seniors?”
Senior research staff answer questions from readers relating to all the areas covered by our seven projects, ranging from polling techniques and findings, to media, technology, religious, demographic and global attitudes trends.
Generations and Gadgets
While many tech devices have become popular across generations, Millennials are by far the most likely group not only to own most gadgets, but also to take advantage of a wider range of functions on those devices.
Generations Online in 2010
Even in online pursuits still dominated by Millennials — such as social networking use — older generations are making notable gains.
Since the Start of the Great Recession, More Children Raised by Grandparents
One child in 10 in the U.S. lives with a grandparent, a share that increased slowly and steadily over the past decade before rising sharply from 2007 to 2008, the first year of the Great Recession. About 40% of all children who live with a grandparent (or grandparents) are also being raised primarily by that grandparent.
Adults, Cell Phones and Texting
Adults are increasingly using text messages to communicate, but they still text far less than teenagers, who send and receive, on average, five times more texts per day than adult texters.
Older Adults and Social Media
The number of older adults on Facebook and other social networking sites has roughly doubled in the past year. About half of internet users ages 50-64 and one-in-four users ages 65 and older now log onto social networks.
Millennials’ Likely Lifelong Online Sharing Habit
Technology experts generally believe that today’s tech-savvy young people — the ‘digital natives’ who are known for enthusiastically embracing social networking and other online tools — will retain their willingness to share personal information online even as they get older and take on more responsibilities.
Adults Text While Driving Too!
Adults are just as likely as teens to have texted while driving and are substantially more likely to have talked on a cell phone while driving.
