For more than a decade, I have been honored to collaborate with hundreds of talented students and to direct the polling for Harvard's Institute of Politics. And thanks to my friends Erin Ashwell (Harvard '02) and Trevor Dryer (Harvard '02), in 2000, we launched the first research project of its kind, one that looks into the hearts and minds of America's Millennial generation.
While much of the Millennial-related news since 2004 has been positive and inspiring, at no time since our original survey in 2000 has the mood among America's youngest cohort of voters seemed so dour. Our latest survey, the 17th edition, tells us that a little more than one year after the inauguration of President Obama, there are millions of young people scattered across the country who are losing faith in government, politics and in too many cases -- the American Dream.
Solid majorities of Millennials tell us that they are seriously concerned about paying their current bills and obligations -- saving for the future is a luxury too few can afford. Nearly half of all college students are concerned about staying in college, given their current financial situation. Perhaps of greatest concern is that more than half of the members of this generation believe that they will be worse off than their parents.
Seemingly buoyed by Barack Obama's election, young African Americans are more optimistic than others about America, yet more than two-thirds of the Millennials of color are concerned today about real-life issues such as affording monthly bills and a place to live.
When we offered survey respondents the opportunity to draft a message to President Obama, this 26-year old community college student seemed to speak for millions of Millennials when she said:
"Please help the Michigan economy, there are so many people suffering from job loss and pay cuts. People (including myself) are losing their homes and having trouble even making sure their children have food to eat everyday!!! The pay cuts and job losses really have took their toll here."
After our poll in 2000 highlighted disaffection within this generation, the tragic events of 9/11 and Katrina brought America together. When Millennials were disappointed by the outcome of the 2004 election, they organized in 2006 and rallied in 2008 for Barack Obama.
Several times in the last decade, Millennials responded to America's call. The question at this moment is: Will our political leadership in Washington and around the country heed this new call -- a call from Millennials to make government work and follow through on the bright promise that a generation dedicated to public service has come to passionately believe in.