Study finds young Americans less interested in environmental issues
By Martha Irvine, Washington Post
They have a reputation for being environmentally minded do-gooders. But an academic analysis of surveys spanning more than 40 years has found that today’s young Americans are less interested in the environment and in conserving resources — and often less civic-minded overall — than their elders were when they were young.
The findings go against the widespread belief that environmental issues have hit home with today’s young adults, known as Millennials, who have grown up amid climate change discussion and the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle.” The environment is often listed among top concerns of young voters.
“I was shocked,” said Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University who is one of the study’s authors. “We have the perception that we’re getting through to people. But at least compared to previous eras, we’re not.”
This study, published online this month in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, looked at the life goals, concern for others and civic orientation of three young generations — baby boomers, Generation X and Millennials.
Environmentalism is a luxury that can only be afforded in times of wealth and comfort. When people are struggling to feed their families and pay the rent, they’re not worried about the green tree frog.
Hey DW,
Did you actually read the entire article?
It states that the study was based on surveys taken over a period of 4 decades. Also, the following is a quote from one of the study’s authors:
“It is important to note that most of the survey data available for Millennials were collected before the country’s most recent recession hit.”
That pretty much negates your mistaken belief that this trend is due to the current poor economy.
Also, tree frogs and amphibians in general are considered indicator species which means that the health of their populations are indicators of the health of the environment in general. If everyone believed as you do that keeping our environment healthy is a luxury not a necessity, then the 7+ billion people who currently inhabit this rock are in for a very desperate future.
You really should consider doing more research before making such uninformed statements.
Check out this 9.5 minute video for a different, more hopefull view of the Millennial Generations’ commitment to the environment:
http://youtu.be/b-9GqB3XRS0?hd=1
The Millenials are lazy and moronic, thanks baby-boomers for raising such bunch of low integrity woosies. We are going to work even harder to support them the rest of our lives.
Tell the trpa parasites the news.
They don’t party were the locals party!
They sat home look at porn pictures of Mineral water,real river pictures of grass without thc,get all horned dogged up over drainage ponds,push their solar cars around the block pretending to be here before Adam, Eve, AFRAID to eat the Playboys Apple of Desire.
Can you image them telling the China work force you can’t build a factory here cause they block the ginseng growing on the Wall.The hogs have a good supper as they returned to earth in the form of fertilizer.
In my opinion,as an educator, kids today are less interested in environmental and social issues for two reasons:
1. In school we are under so much pressure to teach to the test, thanks to “No child left behind” that we don’t have time to talk about/teach anything real.
2. With all the technological distractions available to kids these days (social media, gaming, etc) thon’t have time to think about anything else.
That would be: They don’t have time for anything else! Yes, I am educated – just not great at using a laptop!
Garbage in, garbage out. And we pay the salary of the shocked Jean Twenge to produce this blithering nonsense.
Every generation has dissed the younger up and coming generation! Nothing new. Don’t we all remember what the older generation was saying about we of the 50’s and 60’s generations?
Personally I think we are in more capable hands with this generation than our own. Are there some idiots? Yes, but that is just inherent to the human condition. There will always be a certain percentage of losers in every generation, race, religion, gender AND political affiliation!
So you’re saying that if you’re not interested in environmentalism you’re an idiot? Really?
P.S. I think they were pretty much correct about our generation. Lots of entitled losers. But I don’t think the next generation is much better. After all, we produced them.
Well, there ya go again! Putting words in others mouth.