Generational Politics: Silents To Millennials A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds wide gaps in how different generations view politics. Older voters are much more conservative. Younger voters lean left and are more likely to support President Obama.

Special Series

Generational Politics: Silents To Millennials

A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds gaps in how different generations view politics.

Subscribe to Politics Newsletter

Generational Politics: Silents To Millennials

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney works the crowd as he marches in the Fourth of July parade in Amherst, N.H. Members of Generation X supported GOP candidates by a small margin in 2010. Now they are split between Romney and President Obama. Jim Cole/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Jim Cole/AP

Politics

Generational Politics: Silents To Millennials

November 5, 2011 • A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds wide gaps in how different generations view politics. Older voters are much more conservative. Younger voters lean left and are more likely to support President Obama.

Generation X Divided Over 2012 Candidates

toggle caption

Jim Cole/AP

Generation X Divided Over 2012 Candidates

November 5, 2011 • A new Pew survey finds that Gen Xers, now in their 30s and 40s, are feeling harder hit by the recession than other groups as they struggle to raise children and save for their own retirement. Always a diverse group, they are split in support for President Obama and Mitt Romney.

Generation X Divided Over 2012 Candidates

Listen · 4:40 4:40

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/142023347/142053320" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

What's The Defining Moment Of Your Generation?

Michael Jackson performs in his "Scream" video for MTV in 1995. Paul Whitsitt/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Paul Whitsitt/AP

What's The Defining Moment Of Your Generation?

November 4, 2011 • Demographers divide generations by birth year. But each group has also been shaped by the news, music and major cultural events of its era. So what really distinguishes a baby boomer from a Generation Xer, a millennial from a member of the silent generation? Share your defining moments.

Baby Boomers Remain Skeptical Of Establishment

Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern greets young admirers in his home state at an airport rally in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1972. Many baby boomers voted for McGovern in their first election, against Republican candidate Richard Nixon. In 2008, boomers narrowly backed President Barack Obama, but they swung over to Republicans in 2010. AP hide caption

toggle caption

Baby Boomers Remain Skeptical Of Establishment

November 4, 2011 • The baby boomer generation came into politics with a liberal challenge to the establishment, but that hasn't made it a reliably Democratic voting block. This middle-aged group is deeply dissatisfied with the economy and frustrated with the president.

Baby Boomers Remain Skeptical Of Establishment

Listen · 4:54 4:54

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/142016986/142030995" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

Millennials cheer for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama at a rally in Roanoke, Va., in 2008. Young voters are poised to play a key role in choosing the next president. Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption

toggle caption

Jae C. Hong/AP

Millennials Uncertain Of Loyalty Toward Obama

November 4, 2011 • Young people were President Obama's most important age group in the last election. They knocked on doors, bought posters and gave his campaign a sense of vibrancy and excitement as they turned out to vote in record numbers. But now, it's not clear whether they will support Obama as they did in 2008.

Millennials Uncertain Of Loyalty Toward Obama

Listen · 4:41 4:41

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/141989227/142011136" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

Generation Gap: How Age Shapes Political Outlook

November 3, 2011 • A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds wide gaps in how different generations view politics. Older voters are more conservative and less hopeful about the future of the country. Younger voters lean left and believe the nation's best days are yet to come. But they are less engaged.

'Silent Generation' May Get Loud In 2012 Election

A woman casts her ballot during early voting in Toledo, Ohio. Members of the silent generation are more likely to vote for Republicans than for Democrats, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. J.D. Pooley/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption

J.D. Pooley/Getty Images

'Silent Generation' May Get Loud In 2012 Election

November 3, 2011 • In retirement, the "silent generation" is becoming increasingly conservative and angry. It's also more engaged in politics than are other generations. NPR's series on generational politics, in collaboration with the Pew Research Center, examines the politics of those 66 to 83 years old.

'Silent Generation' May Get Loud In 2012 Election

Listen · 5:07 5:07

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/141985603/141995991" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

Browse archive or search npr.org