Unlike 20 years ago, few high schoolers now view the country's key institutions positively. This growing cynicism is a major crisis for the military, higher education, and religious organizations.
I think there may be some challenges in data here.
High schoolers openly identifying as a republicans are a particular breed of people. People enamored with civic responsibility and duty. Most high schoolers would not want to identify with ideas that come off as square or uptight.
Plenty of these independent high schoolers are probably going to grow up to be identifying with republicans, but identify as independents while it is neat to do so in school.
I kind of wonder about that--that certainly was the case 20 years ago, but conservatism is kind of an oppositional culture at this point. The guy who wants to give the teacher the finger was more likely Democrat 20 years ago but more likely Republican now.
I think there may be some challenges in data here.
High schoolers openly identifying as a republicans are a particular breed of people. People enamored with civic responsibility and duty. Most high schoolers would not want to identify with ideas that come off as square or uptight.
Plenty of these independent high schoolers are probably going to grow up to be identifying with republicans, but identify as independents while it is neat to do so in school.
I kind of wonder about that--that certainly was the case 20 years ago, but conservatism is kind of an oppositional culture at this point. The guy who wants to give the teacher the finger was more likely Democrat 20 years ago but more likely Republican now.