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President Joe Biden and his administration are undergoing a notable shift towards the left side of the political spectrum, which has contributed to the dwindling support from a key demographic in the upcoming elections.
Recent research conducted at Harvard University reveals that the 18-29-year-old age group, also referred to as Generation Z, is displaying an inclination towards conservatism rather than liberalism. This shift poses a significant challenge for President Biden and the Democratic Party.
John Della Volpe, the polling director at the Harvard Kennedy Institute of Politics, conducted a study that indicates a growing divergence between younger Americans and the Democratic Party. In addition, another study suggests that high school senior boys are gradually embracing conservative ideals.
Della Volpe’s analysis of the upcoming 2024 elections reveals a troubling trend for Democrats. He states that factors that had previously fostered hope for increased youth participation are now causing concern.
The appeal of voting diminishes when young people feel that their vote no longer has a tangible impact on the outcome. In 2019, roughly 39 percent of participants in the Harvard Youth Poll identified as Democrats.
However, this number decreased to 35 percent the following spring. Interestingly, the proportion of young voters identifying as independent or unaffiliated with a major party increased from 36 percent in 2019 to 40 percent in 2023.
Furthermore, the analysis reveals a slight rise in the percentage of youth voters identifying as Republicans, from 23 percent to 24 percent.
Additionally, Della Volpe’s findings highlight a decrease in the percentage of respondents who express a definite intention to vote in the upcoming election.
This figure has dropped from 55 percent during the same point in the 2020 cycle to 51 percent currently. It is imperative for Democrats to act swiftly, as the opportunity to engage young voters, secure victories in the present, and cultivate a future electoral advantage is slipping away.
On a related note, research from the University of Michigan suggests a shift towards conservatism among high school senior boys, while girls lean more towards liberalism. The study reveals a nearly two-fold preference for identifying as conservative among twelfth-grade boys compared to being liberal.
Thomas Kersting, a psychotherapist, recently discussed these findings on ‘Fox & Friends.’ His analysis of young boys’ increasing conservatism revolves around the idea that they are beginning to question certain narratives.
Society, perhaps inadvertently, has conveyed the message that being male is somehow detrimental and that young boys are inherently flawed.
Additionally, there are politicians espousing anti-male sentiments, claiming that White men are the primary problem in America. Young boys are becoming aware of these narratives and, as a result, are gravitating towards conservative principles.
This shift represents a departure from previous years when both genders leaned left in similar percentages upon graduating high school. Kersting suggests that the emphasis on advancing women and minorities can potentially contribute to the growing conservatism among young men.
He points out that many of his male clients feel left behind and believe that their progress is hindered due to the narrative that men have always held positions of power.
While it is crucial for society to foster the advancement of women and all marginalized groups, it should not come at the expense of disregarding the needs and aspirations of young men.
Turning our attention to President Biden, it is evident that he is facing mounting dissatisfaction within his own party.
A survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs indicates that Americans express more concern about Biden’s age compared to former President Trump’s age, despite only a few years separating them.
According to the poll, merely 32 percent of respondents believe that Biden possesses the mental fitness required to carry out his duties as president, while an overwhelming 68 percent harbor doubts regarding his mental acuity.
