The Apathetic New Generation

[dArKeR]

Teenagers and young adults are less likely than older adults to value voting or the way government works, and the reason is that the nation is failing to teach the basics for taking part in a democracy, according to a new report.

Though mostly dire, the report, released Monday, found a bit of good news - that young people who have taken a class in civics place more value on engaging in public life.

"We can't let apathy and ignorance become the status quo," said Utah House Speaker Marty Stephens, president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, one of the groups that helped produce the report.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/23/national/main574778.shtml

[goobergunch]

1. Thoughts from a younger DUer

I never had a civics class, but I pretty much taught myself by watching C-SPAN during vacations (although my parents got a bit upset during the Homeland Security bill House debate...)

48 percent of the younger group knew their governor's party, and 40 percent knew which party controlled Congress; in the older group, that rose to 72 percent and 61 percent.

Governor: Rendell (D)
Senate: 51-49 Repuke (I count Jeffords as a Dem and Miller as a DINO)
House: 229-206 Repuke (I count Sanders as a Dem)

Most - 53 percent - looked favorably on a career in business, while 44 percent chose music or theater. President? That only drew 16 percent. (Respondents could pick more than one career).

I'd rather be Senator then President, but that's just me.

[JohnKleeb]

3. Ive noticed that a lot of my peers wanna be in business

That actually I have never considered nor will I ever, I originally wanted to go in to law, then baseball player, then something to do with crime study, and now I wanna write.

[cprise]

2. One phrase that says it all.

The un-drafted generation.

[goobergunch]

4. So are you saying that I should have to join the military?

NOTE: The ONLY thing that would stop me from being ABB is if the Democratic candidate proposed bringing back the draft.

[cprise]

8. It wasn't the brightest comment

...but it has a kernel of truth:

All the fantastic activism of the baby boomers was fueled by fear of the draft in their youth.

So I was kinda taking a pot-shot at those 'oh-so-concerned-for-fellow-man' older generations.

We all have the potential for vast improvement in our attitudes toward public involvement.

[renie408]

10. Friend,

that covers quite a few generations.

[burr]

5. Speaker Marty Stephens...

thanks for the great source. BOY, SOMEBODY I CAN REALLY TRUST!!!
<http://www.le.state.ut.us/house/members2003/bios2003.asp?id=6>

Have you ever thought that the neocons you get these quotations from are the ones wanting apathy and ignorance to become the status quo?

[genius]

6. No surprise here.

You should read Natasha's article in debateusa.com titled "And the Eighteen Year Old Voters Go to Which Party?"

[goobergunch]

7. *pokes pro-draft DUers* (n/t)

[renie408]

9. Weirdly enough

I am putting together a group of high school seniors to watch the debates. They are all very interested, informed and excited.