Twentysomethings Part 2

While the attitudes of twentysomethings professing to be Christians are scary enough, those who make no such claim are even scarier. In January, USA Today reported the findings of a Pew survey that was part of the MacNeil/Lehrer Productions' Generation Next project. The findings revealed that the views of young people today on politics, social attitudes, and life goals are far different from their baby boomer parents'.

The survey asked more than seventy-five questions; 579 young adults (18-25) and 922 adults (age 26 and older) were a part of the study. It is purportedly the most extensive study of this age group. Interestingly, 130 of the participants had to be reached by cell phones because they didn't have land lines.

Generally, it was determined that the younger generation is far more tolerant than its predecessors. No surprises there.

Here are some of the scarier findings:

*Young people are equally split (47 percent in favor, 46 percent opposed) over gay marriage; of those in the older age group, 64 percent were opposed.

*The top goals of the younger generation: 81 percent want to be rich, and 51 percent want to be famous. A study of college freshmen in 1967 revealed that 85.8 percent believed it was essential to develop "a meaningful philosophy of life"; only 41.9 percent thought it was essential to be "very well off financially."

*48 percent of the younger group identify more with Democrats; 35 percent with Republicans.

*36 percent of the younger group have a tattoo; 30 percent have a body piercing in a place other than an ear lobe; 25 percent have dyed their hair a nontraditional color.

And the bottom line? Scott Keeter, Pew's spokesman, projects that this group's views on social issues will not become more conservative with time. "One can imagine the complexion of these issues changing pretty significantly when this generation is in positions of power and authority," Keeter says.

I think it's going to take more than a Starbucks card, a laptop, and a group of friends to stand up to these challenges. . .